Cotton Beyond Fashion

We talk a lot about cotton in regard to the world of fashion, but there are many contexts and industries where you can find cotton present outside of apparel. Cotton is a much more viable and sustainable option than its synthetic competitors. Incredible innovations have been—and are continuing to be—made, utilizing cotton for a more sustainable replacement. For example, in 2019, a pharmaceutical company, OptumRx, developed packaging that replaces foam and instead utilizes 100% renewable cotton! By implementing this new shipping material, the company reported incredible annual savings: nearly 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide, 17 million gallons of water, and 4 million kilowatt hours of energy (Waste 360).

The impact of cotton is definitive and continues to increase.

In this article, we will highlight five industries that are innovatively incorporating cotton.

Filtration Systems
Beauty
Medical
Food
Packaging

purifying the environment

As a result of its “inherent porosity and high adsorption capacity,” cotton is prevalent in water and air filtration systems (Water Quality Research Journal). Cotton-based filters can capture fine particles and are more sustainable than synthetic filters, with the added benefit of being biodegradable after use. These filters can help provide filtered water in developing countries or areas with limited access to clean water, “offering an affordable, sustainable, and accessible solution” (Water Quality Research Journal).

healing with cotton

You don’t have to try very hard to find cotton prominent in the medical industry. Cotton is absorbent, biodegradable, and hypoallergenic, making it ideal for scrubs, bedding, wound care, bandages, compresses, sanitary products, diapers, face masks, and more, all of which help to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection (Fabric Material Guide).

Have you ever wondered why the little cotton ball is at the tops of your pill bottles? This keeps the medicine safe from moisture and destruction while also serving “as a tamper-evident barrier,” which helps to “alert the consumer to possible tampering” and maintain trust and security in the medication one receives (EcoBliss).

cotton’s role in beauty

Cotton is also prominent in the beauty industry. Similar to its benefits in the medical sectors, cotton’s inherent hypoallergenic nature and gentle hand-feel make it an excellent fiber for make-up removing wipes, cotton swabs, cotton balls, and more (as seen in our GRWM “Get Ready With Me” article!).

Additionally, the seed oil derived from cotton is a great moisturizing alternative to other oils found in skincare, hair products, and even toothpaste! According to NYC dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, “cottonseed oil contains high concentrations of vitamin E and fatty acids— ingredients [that] can help moisturize the hair, increase luster, and help decrease hair breakage” (Sourcing Journal).

from seed to plate

Cotton is also prevalent in the food industry, by way of cottonseed oil, as well as cotton cellulose (fiber).

Cottonseed oil is a healthy and sustainable alternative to other popular cooking oils! According to a study conducted by The University of Georiga, cottonseed oil is proven to reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol when consumed (Sourcing Journal). Additionally, regarding climate impact (the lowest of all cooking oils!), “cottonseed oil production showed a lower impact on air quality, the depletion of resources like fossil fuels, and some water-related aspects” (Sourcing Journal).

Cotton is also present in innovations like edible packaging, which combines non-woven cotton waste with hydrogel (Science Direct). Additionally, storing food in cotton bags offers a biodegradable, breathable, and hypoallergic alternative to plastic bags and containers, extending the lifespan of your produce and dairy while avoiding the microplastics that disrupt your hormones (Natural Replacements).

packaging the future

As mentioned above, cotton can be utilized in place of plastic packaging for food storage, as well as shopping bags and shipping material replacements. Additionally, cotton is found in twine and can even be utilized in the production of paper. As noted in the Sourcing Journal, “When making paper, the [cotton] seeds are run through a linter machine that removes the tiny fibers. These fibers are put through a pulping process, and then the pulp is pressed into sheets and dried.” Utilizing paper made from cotton in hangtags is a sustainable and price-comparable alternative to petroleum-based products. Some companies even found alternative adhesives, using mushrooms, which were found to stick best to cotton-derived products (Cotton Grower).

cotton allows for endless opportunities

There are countless ways to utilize cotton— these are just a few! Cotton is also prevalent in the auto and construction industries, and we’re even starting to see wearable tech innovations utilizing the beneficial structure of cotton and incorporating renewable energy solutions, including solar and chargeable batteries that are potentially more efficient than traditional lithium-ion batteries! (MDPI, Wiley Online Library). We would love to hear how you incorporate cotton into your daily life or about innovations you’ve been eager to learn more about!