Lifecycle Assessment of Organic Cotton Products by Cottonique
Introduction
Cottonique, a brand pioneered by Essential Layer Inc., embodies the gold standard in sustainable fashion. With an unwavering commitment to minimizing environmental impacts since 2008, we have consistently chosen organic materials and sustainable manufacturing practices to enhance human health and protect our planet.
Comprehensive Sustainable Practices and Environmental Impact
Organic Cotton Utilization and Reduced Chemical Use
Methodology & Quantitative Data:
- Water Conservation: Organic cotton saves approximately 11,647 cubic meters of water per ton when compared to conventional cotton.
- Chemical Reduction: By avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, approximately 1,000 kg of chemicals are saved per ton of organic cotton produced.
- Water Saved: Around 484,819 cubic meters, scaled to the total weight sold from 2008 to 2023.
- Chemicals Avoided: An estimated total of 101,300 kg of synthetic chemicals avoided over the years.
Sustainable Production and Renewable Energy
Methodology & Quantitative Data:
- Solar Panel Installation: Solar panels installed in 2021, generating an average of 18,000 kWh per year.
- Carbon Footprint Reduction: Each kWh of solar energy produced offsets approximately 0.4 kg of CO2 when compared to the Philippines' grid emissions.
- CO2 Emissions Reduced: From 2021 onwards, approximately 7,200 kg of CO2 emissions reduced annually due to solar energy utilization.
Efficiency of Direct-to-Consumer E-Commerce Model
Methodology & Quantitative Data:
- Energy Consumption Analysis: Estimated energy savings by avoiding the operation of physical retail stores.
- Packaging Impact: 100% biodegradable packaging reduces waste and environmental footprint.
- Energy Saved: An estimated 150,000 kWh over the span of operations since 2008.
- CO2 Emissions Prevented: Approximately 60,000 kg of CO2 emissions saved due to the e-commerce model.
End-of-Life Impact and Environmental Savings
Methodology & Quantitative Data:
- Biodegradability Rate: Organic cotton decomposes within 5 months to a year, significantly faster than synthetic fibers.
- Landfill Volume: The average density of compacted waste in landfills is around 500 kg/m³.
- Landfill Space Saved: Assuming non-biodegradable textiles indefinitely occupy landfill space, organic cotton saves roughly 202.6 cubic meters of landfill volume.
Microplastics Avoidance and Environmental Impact
Methodology & Quantitative Data:
- Microplastics Generation: Synthetic textiles contribute to microplastic pollution through laundry washing and degradation in landfills.
- Environmental Impact Assessment: Calculating the impact based on the average release of microplastics per wash and the decomposition of synthetic textiles.
- Microplastics Prevented: By not using synthetic materials in our products, we avoid contributing to the estimated 0.5 million tonnes of microplastics released into oceans each year from washing synthetic textiles.
Transitioning to More Sustainable Shipping
Methodology & Quantitative Data:
- Shipping Emissions Comparison: Air freight versus sea shipping CO2 emissions based on the distance from the Philippines to the US.
- CO2 Emissions (Air Shipping): About 718,702.5 kg CO2 emissions due to air freight since 2008.
- CO2 Emissions (Sea Shipping): Transitioning to sea shipping will significantly reduce emissions to approximately 21,471 kg for similar volumes.
Conclusion
Cottonique’s comprehensive approach to sustainability includes optimizing material selection, leveraging renewable energy, streamlining our e-commerce operations, and managing end-of-life product impacts. As we transition to more eco-friendly shipping methods, we continue to set industry benchmarks for environmental responsibility. Our commitment to a sustainable future is unwavering as we pursue innovations that preserve the planet for future generations.
Quick Statistics from 2008 to 2023 (Cumulative)
|
Statistic |
Value |
Methodology and Notes |
|
Estimated Total Weight Sold |
101.3 tons |
Based on average revenue per ton from 2021-2023 data. |
|
Total Water Saved |
~484,819 cubic meters |
Water savings from using organic cotton. |
|
Total Chemicals Avoided |
~101,300 kg |
Avoidance of pesticides and fertilizers. |
|
Total CO2 Emissions Reduced (Production) |
~7,200 kg annually (from 2021) |
Solar panel installation impact from 2021. |
|
Total Energy Saved (E-commerce) |
~150,000 kWh |
Savings from the e-commerce retail model. |
|
Total CO2 Emissions Prevented (E-commerce) |
~60,000 kg |
Associated with energy savings in e-commerce operations. |
|
Equivalent CO2 Emissions (Sea Shipping) |
~21,471 kg |
Potential reduction from switching to sea shipping. |
|
Landfill Space Saved |
~202.6 m³ |
Based on the biodegradability of organic cotton products. |
|
Microplastics Prevented |
Significant |
Avoidance of microplastics by not using synthetic fibers. |
|
Decomposition Time Saved |
~2030-20400 years |
Based on organic vs. synthetic fiber decomposition rates. |
Note: The values are extrapolations based on the available data and known environmental impacts.
