One of the trends right now in the green movement in clothing is organic cotton products. Many people think that the "organic" label is a true indicator of environmental friendliness. But is organic cotton really as environmentally friendly as we assume? The answer depends.

The Different Degrees of Environmentally Friendly Cotton
While organic cotton is certainly "greener" than conventionally grown cotton, it is not the most environmentally friendly cotton clothing product. In fact, used clothing is the greenest form of cotton, followed by recycled cotton. Organically grown cotton is only third on the list, just ahead of conventional cotton.

Why is organic cotton third out of the four cotton options?
The answer is in what is needed to grow the cotton. Cotton -- even if organically grown and pesticide free -- requires a great deal of water to grow. Additionally, it is resource intensive, taking many nutrients out of the ground. Essentially, the main different between organic cotton and conventional cotton is the fact that no pesticides are used to protect organic cotton.

Watching for Dyes
Another thing to be aware of is that the lack of regulation means that companies do not have to label whether or not the dyes used on the clothing are organic or "green." A shirt could be made of organic cotton (or partially made of organic cotton), and the company could claim the "organic" label. But that does not account for the type of dye used. In many cases, organic cotton is being colored with conventional chemicals and dyes that may be harmful to the environment.

The bottom line is that there are many companies trying to take advantage of the green movement in clothing. You need to be a discerning shopper and consider your options carefully. And keep in mind that the most environmentally friendly option for clothing -- such as buying your clothes used -- may not be what you first think of.