Organic yarn

What is organic yarn?

Organic yarn has been produced based on ecological principles. In general, it refers to how the raw material itself, such as cotton or wool, has been produced – but it can also include how the yarn has been handled throughout the manufacturing process, such as dyeing and spinning.

It is common for organic yarns, in addition to consisting of organic raw materials, to be dyed from color pigments that are environmentally friendly. This can be done both manually and mechanically.

What applies to different organic yarns can vary, depending on what certification the yarn has and what requirements are set based on this. For organic yarn, GOTS certification is common.

 

Why is organic yarn important?

Organic yarn is important for creating a sustainable future for people, animals, and nature. This is about improving working conditions for people, improving animal husbandry, and reducing the use of chemicals.

  • Better working conditions. With organic labelling, workers’ working conditions will be better than without the same labelling. This may mean that the workers have a legal right to organize in the union and that they must be treated fairly.

 

  • Better animal husbandry. If animals are used as part of the production chain for an organic end product, an ecological certification must ensure that the animals are treated better, from both an environmental perspective and an animal welfare perspective.

 

  • Reduced use of chemicals. For yarns to be certified with GOTS, it is required that chemicals such as chlorine and heavy metals have not been used in the production to bleach or dye the yarn. This means that no chemicals will be released into the nature during the manufacturing process, giving animals a better environment to live in. It is also better for workers who work with the production of the yarn, as well as later consumers who buy the yarn.

 

What is GOTS certification?

GOTS certification is a certification used for organic yarn. GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standards – global organic textile standard – and aims to ensure that the entire production process is environmentally certified. The process ranges from the production of raw materials, to the refining and dyeing of the product. For yarn to be able to receive GOTS-organic certification, it is required that at least 95 percent of the product is organically produced.