Organic Pima Cotton
WHAT WE LOVE
Our Organic Pima Cotton fiber is USDA and GOTS certified organic, which means the cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals. Pima Cotton is native to Peru and uses 50% less water than other varietals. Our Organic Pima Cotton goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution and lowering the carbon footprint.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE
We can make this an A++ by sourcing an Organic Pima that is farmed regeneratively. Currently, this is not being grown in Peru, but we hope this will change in the near future.
This is our soft, midweight, 100% Organic Pima Cotton fabric. This non-GMO fiber is USDA and GOTS certified organic.
Growing and harvesting our Organic Pima Cotton leaves the soil, air, and water free of contaminants from harmful pesticides, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and defoliants. Which means it’s better for the land and safer for the workers.
We are proud to source our Organic Pima Cotton from Bergman/Rivera, a small family owned farm founded in 1986. Bergman/Rivera has been a pioneer in Organic Cotton promotion and sustainable practices in Peru and was the first Peruvian company to receive GOTS certification. This small family business supports more than 160 families across three different valleys in Peru. Farm workers are paid fair wages and treated with Fair Trade standards, and the GOTS certification also ensures traceability for the cotton fiber.
Pima Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru, as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Peruvian Pima Cotton, unlike other cotton varietals, is drought tolerant. This means that it takes 50% less water to grow. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people.
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, our Organic Pima Cotton is harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the end product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Organic Pima Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric incredibly sustainable. Our Organic Pima Cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
LANDFILL LIFETIME: If a 100% Organic Peruvian Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions.
CARE: Machine washable. All of our Organic Pima Cotton garments have been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.