why organic ?
Organic cotton has a low-impact on the environment and handlers. It is grown and harvested by methods that do not use toxic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or defoliants. It relies on natural methods which includes (but is not limited to) crop rotation and cow manure for soil fertility; beneficial predator insects; lengthened growing periods for natural defoliation; and hand-picking, which results in less waste. The statistics from various countries on the health issues of the farmers and handlers of chemically treated crops are startling. The health benefits of organically grown cotton are clear, as are the environmental aspects: reduced toxins and pollutants which infiltrate both the soil and water systems and consequently all living things. It might also be interesting to know also that the cottonseed meal, which is a byproduct of the ginning process, including that of chemically treated cotton, is fed to livestock and can come to us in the form of cottonseed oil in our foods. ERL Designs uses organic fabrics that meet the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for farming methods benefiting farmers, processors, Earth, and consumers by using natural, non-toxic means to control crops from seed to harvesting, from milling to finishing.

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what is solvent free dyes ?
Conventional dyeing and printing uses a myriad of toxins, including heavy metals, benzene, formaldehyde and organochlorines. The process requires large quantities of water to wash out the residues, which is then dumped into the local waters of the mills. The organic fabrics used by ERL Designs are printed with organic, solvent-free dyes which are OEKO-TEX certified. One of the interesting benefits of using these low-impact, yet more costly, dyes is that the dyes are often reclaimed from the liquid waste and the water is recyclable. Other benefits include: higher absorption/fixation rate; require less heat which saves energy; controlled amounts of salt and alkali; less water due to a shorter dye cycle; and uses relatively safe levels of mordants. White organic fabrics are whitened with an organic, non-chlorinated, non-toxic bleaching technique which results in a more natural cotton color. While synthetic and toxic chemicals can make fabrics amazingly white, the gentler nature of organic technique yields a clean cotton in it's more natural tone.

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what's in it for me ?
Buying organic fabrics not only helps us keep the plant safe from chemicals and its residue, it is about social awareness. Buying high quality products that will last for years and years is important but the most importantly part of certified organic fabrics is FARE TRADE. Buying fare trade is caring enough to make sure everyone in the manufacturing process, including the farmers and the cotton workers receive a fare salary and treated with human dignity.