HealthGoods

Available Colors
Pale Blue	Mid Putty

Bisque	Paprika

Features

• The finest in super absorbent towels made from Organic Turkish Cotton.
• Heavy weight construction uses 1200 grams per sq. meter fabric.
• Organic Towels Hand Loomed in Turkey using old methods on 100 year old looms.
• Made from 100% Bergama Organic Cotton from the Aegean Sea region in Turkey, which produces longer cotton fibers that are important to quality, softness and absorbency.
• Made from 4 ply Ring Spun yarn that is yarn dyed with natural plant and vegetable dyes.
• Beautiful Dobby Weave design woven into the fabric.
• Purchasing Organic products helps protect you and the environment by improving soil quality, promoting biodiversity and reducing the amount of toxic pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals in our ground, air and water.
• Available Colors: Bisque, Mid Putty, Pale Blue, Paprika. Bath Sheet Size not available for Bisque and Paprika Colors.
• Machine wash warm, no softener or bleach products and tumble dry low. Due to the natural dyes used, extra care should be taken with whitening toothpaste that can discolor fabric.
• Made in Turkey.
• Please allow 5-7 business days to ship.

About Indika

Indika's simple and elegant designs are created to capture Earths essence and energy using sustainable fabrics that recognize the benefits of natural and organically grown materials. Crafted using the highest standard of quality, their custom designs are created especially for those people who desire to live in a chemically free environment and further promote healthy living.

In their efforts to incorporate all stages of creating beautiful sustainable textiles, it is important to recognize the impact each industry has on the earth. The yarns they use for their textiles are grown naturally without pesticides or chemicals and do not compromise the integrity of the fabric. Natural fabrics reflect light in a way that is unsurpassed. For example, the natural oil present in cotton is left in the fiber as it adds to the longevity of the textile and enhances its’ sheen. Cotton fibers in their natural and untreated state are generally three times as thick as cotton fibers that have been stripped due to chemical processes.

Incorporating plant, vegetable and low-impact dying practices is an important means of preservation within our environment. These dying practices have been applied for thousands of years. Only in the last hundred years have synthetic dyes been introduced resulting in contaminating fresh water supplies.

Indika's primary goal is assuring a beautiful environment for today and forever by conserving our lands resources and promoting an awareness of our responsibility to protect the well being and natural spirit of its inhabitants. Through each stage of their product development they have supported the efforts of farming, spinning, dying yarns, and weaving communities, enlisting environmentally conscious practices worldwide.

The Truth about Bamboo Fabric

Bamboo fabric has been promoted as an environmentally beneficial material. This claim comes from the fact Bamboo is a renewable resource and is considered the fastest growing plant in the world, growing up to 2 feet in a day. The problem with Bamboo is the transition from the plant to a fabric. Both the Competition Bureau of Canada and the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have been clamping down on false “green” claims and labeling related to Bamboo textiles. Specifically of concern are claims that clothing and textile products are manufactured in an environmentally friendly process, that they retain their natural antimicrobial properties of the Bamboo plant and they are biodegradable.

To make Bamboo fibers into a material that can then be processed into fabric requires significant chemical and mechanical processes. The chemicals used include Lye (sodium hydroxide), carbon disulfide and strong acids. Most commonly, Bamboo fibers are made into Rayon (also called Viscose). Rayon is a man-made fiber created from the cellulose found in plants and trees and processed with harsh chemicals that releases hazardous air pollutants. Any plant or tree could be used as the cellulose source – including bamboo – but the fiber that is created is rayon. It is difficult to know what amount of Bamboo, if any, is used to manufacture the Rayon fiber in the product you purchase. The US Federal Trade Commission states “unless a product is made directly with bamboo fiber - often called “mechanically processed bamboo” - it can’t be called bamboo.” Textiles made from Bamboo fiber don’t feel soft and silky smooth.

Rayon made from Bamboo does not retain the anti-microbial properties of the Bamboo plant. The FTC says ”even if the rayon used in the companies’ clothing and textile products is manufactured using bamboo as the cellulose source, rayon does not retain any natural antimicrobial properties of the bamboo plant. The rayon manufacturing process, which involves dissolving the plant source in harsh chemicals, eliminates any such natural properties of the bamboo plant.”  The FTC charges that these rayon products are not biodegradable because they will not break down in a reasonably short time after customary disposal. Most clothing and textiles are disposed of either by recycling or sending to a landfill. Neither method results in quick biodegradation.

Conventionally Grown Cotton

Conventionally grown cotton is a very chemically intensive crop and consumes approximately 25% of the insecticides and 10% of the pesticides used for agriculture. Producing enough cotton for one T-shirt requires about a 1/3 to 1/4 of a pound of pesticides and fertilizers. According to the US Department of Agriculture, fifty-five million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on conventional cotton grown in the U.S. in 2003 and over 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to conventional cotton in 2000. Synthetic chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticide use increases the likelihood of human exposure even if there is no direct contact with these substances. These chemicals leach into the groundwater and contaminate our drinking water and end up in our food supply. Their production requires use of non-renewable petroleum based ingredients and the manufacturing process, storage and transportation produces more potential pollution.  

The US Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens. The US General Accounting Office has said "Exposure to pesticides can cause a range of ill effects in humans, from relatively mild effects such as headaches, fatigue, and nausea, to more serious effects such as cancer and neurological disorders. In 1999, EPA estimated that nationwide there were at least 10,000 to 20,000 physician-diagnosed pesticide illnesses and injuries per year in farm work. Environmental effects are evident in the findings of the U.S. Geological Survey, which reported in 1999 that more than 90 percent of water and fish samples from streams and about 50 percent of all sampled wells contained one or more pesticides. The concern about pesticides in water is especially acute in agricultural areas, where most pesticides are used."

Organic Cotton

The National Organic Standards Board of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines organic agriculture as "An ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony." Certified Organic means a verification process was performed by an independent state or private organization to ensure that the strict organic standards were followed in the crop or product's production. Organic standards regulate the farm production of the raw material, but in Organic Cotton production, the finished materials can be treated with synthetic chemicals and toxic dyes and still be labeled Organic. When choosing Organic products, it is important to know if the product was made from "Certified Organic" base materials and any potentially harmful finishing processes used to produce the final end product. Making a shift toward organic production will have a major beneficial impact on all of us by reducing toxic chemical human exposure and pollution to our air, water, food and land.

Organic Cotton Benefits

• Provides a comfortable, soft feel.
• Is a durable and strong material that resists abrasion.
• Can absorb up to 27 times its weight in moisture making it great for bath products.
• Helps regulate body temperature and provides protection in both cold and warm conditions. Cotton will absorb perspiration from the skin and release it to the drier air to help keep you cool.
• No synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, irradiation, sewage sludge or genetic engineering were used for the previous three years.
• Farmers use beneficial insects that are natural predators to pests, improve the soil through the use of organic compost and crop rotation and pull weeds mechanically or physically.
• Reduced soil erosion, retention of soil nutrients and no contamination from toxic pesticide use that can remain persistent in our environment.

The Cost of Organic Cotton

There are several factors that impact the cost of Organic products. At the present time, Organic textile products cost more than a comparable conventionally grown textile product. As demand for Organic products increase, the growing, manufacturing and distribution costs will decrease to a point closer to conventionally grown products. Buying Organic products also helps to create a market transformation in which higher demand reduces costs and provides finished goods through more mainstream sources. Here are a few reasons why Organic products are more expensive.

• Economies of Scale - conventional product sales substantially exceed Organic product sales. The costs associated with the growing/harvesting, manufacturing and distribution are higher due to the smaller quantities.
• Organic Farming is more Labor Intensive - because Organic farming uses mechanical and human intervention rather than pesticides for crop maintenance, growing costs can be higher.

There are two costs associated when purchasing Organic products:

1. The Purchase Cost - this is the cost you pay for your product at the retail outlet.
2. The Environmental Cost - this is the cost you don't see when purchasing the product. There is a real financial cost and a personal cost associated with the use and exposure to toxic chemicals. The financial impacts may be through increased health care costs or through toxic waste cleanup and treatment of our air, water and land. Personal costs are more devastating such as those from disease, birth defects and changes to our wildlife.

Fabric Colors and Dyes

The process of dyeing textiles to produce color can have a significant impact on the environment. Chemicals, dyes and pigments leftover from the dyeing process can be discharged into water systems and can include salts, acids, and heavy metals. These products can be toxic to aquatic life, plants and animals and pollute our water and land. "Natural" and "Low Impact" dyes are better options to the conventional dyeing processes. Benefits of using these dyeing options include:

• Conserves resources through lower water, dye and energy requirements.
• Uses no heavy metals such as chromium copper and zinc.
• Reduced chemical compound use.

Organic Information

Organic refers to the way food and fiber crops are grown and processed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented the National Organic Program (NOP) in 2002. The NOP program outlines standards for methods, substances and practices to be used in the production and handling of crops, livestock and processed agricultural products. In general, Organic production begins with non-genetically modified seeds and plants that are grown without the use synthetic chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides. Soil is improved through crop rotation and reduced water usage due to higher organic matter content. Here are some of the NOP Crop Standards:

• Land must have no prohibited substances applied to it for at least 3 years before the harvest of an organic crop.
• Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops, supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials.
• Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used.
• Preference will be given to the use of organic seeds and other planting stock, but a farmer may use non-organic seeds and planting stock under specified conditions.
• The use of genetic engineering (included in excluded methods), ionizing radiation and sewage sludge is prohibited.

By incorporating Organic production methods in the growing of food and fiber products, we can reduce our overall exposure to toxic chemicals and synthetic pesticides that pollute our air, water and land and enter out food chain. Organic growers improve the environment by:

• Protecting the surface and ground waters by eliminating contaminants in runoff.
• Reduce the health and biological/environmental risk for insect and plant disease control.
• Establish long term prevention of pests through habitat control.
• Yield soils with higher organic matter and deeper topsoil depths.
• Organic farming methods use natural fertilizers, like compost and animal manure, that recycles the nitrogen already in the soil rather than adding more, which reduces both pollution and N2O emissions.

Cotton

The largest suppliers of cotton in order are India, Syria, Turkey, China, Tanzania, United States, Uganda, Peru, Egypt and Burkina Faso. In 2008, the US, Organic cotton reached over 9,200 acres and 14,000 bales, representing 2.1% of the global production according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA). According to the latest 2009 findings, US Organic cotton plantings reached over 10,700 acres, the highest since 2001. Cotton products are very prolific in our society. Some examples include T-shirts, towels, bed sheets, blankets, clothing,, diapers and personal care items. Conventionally grown cotton is considered the world’s dirtiest crop, due to the fact it uses more insecticides than any other crop. Cotton cover 2.5% of the worlds cultivated land, but uses 16% of the world’s insecticides. Here are some facts on conventionally grown cotton according to OTA:

• Aldicarb, parathion, and methamidopho are three of the most acutely hazardous insecticides to human health as determined by the World Health Organization and are in the top ten most commonly used in cotton production.
• Aldicarb, cotton's second best selling insecticide and most acutely poisonous to humans, can kill a man with just one drop absorbed through the skin, yet it is still used in 25 countries and the US, where 16 states have reported it in their groundwater.
  It takes almost 1/3 of a pound of fertilizer to make the raw cotton needed for one T-shirt.
• Fifty-five million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 12.8 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. in 2003 (4.3 pounds/ acre), ranking cotton third behind corn and soybeans in total amount of pesticides sprayed.
• The cottonseed hull, where many pesticide residues have been detected, is a secondary crop sold as a food commodity. It is estimated that as much as 65% of cotton production ends up in our food chain, whether directly through food oil or indirectly through the milk and meat of animals.
• Insecticide use has decreased in the last 10 years with the introduction of Biotechnology (BT), the fastest adapted yet most controversial new technology in the history of agriculture. As of 2007, Bt cotton already commands 34% of total cotton cropland and 45% of world cotton production. In Bt cotton, the insecticide is always present in the plant rather than applied in periodic spraying sessions which will lead to rapid rates of pest immunities and possibly produce superpests.
• Nitrogen synthetic fertilizers are a major contributor to increased N2O emissions, which are 300 times more potent than CO2 as greenhouse gas, which is ominous for global warming as synthetic fertilizer use is forecasted to increase roughly 2.5 times by mid-century.

Wool

Organic Wool is used in any application used by conventional wool such as clothes, blankets and coats. Wool is produced in accordance with the NOP standards for Livestock to be labeled Organic. According to the Organic Trade Association and National Organic Program, Federal requirements for organic livestock production include:

• Livestock feed and forage used from the last third of gestation must be certified organic.
• Use of synthetic hormones and genetic engineering is prohibited.
• Use of synthetic pesticides (internal, external, and on pastures) is prohibited.
• Producers must encourage livestock health through good cultural and management practices.
• Producers must feed livestock agricultural feed products that are 100 percent organic, but may also provide allowed vitamin and mineral supplements.
• Organically raised animals must not be given hormones to promote growth, or antibiotics for any reason.
• Preventive management practices, including the use of vaccines, must be used to keep animals healthy. Producers must not withhold treatment from a sick or injured animal; however, animals treated with a prohibited medication may not be sold as organic.
• All organically raised animals must have access to the outdoors, including access to pasture for ruminants. They may be temporarily confined only for reasons of health, safety, the animal's stage of production, or to protect soil or water quality.

Third party certifiers ensure the Organic livestock producers use only the methods and materials allowed in Organic production. Organic livestock management is different from non-organic management in at least two major ways:

1. Sheep cannot be dipped in parasiticides (insecticides) to control external parasites such as ticks and lice.
2. Organic livestock producers are required to ensure that they do not exceed the natural carrying capacity of the land on which their animals graze.

According to a 2005 survey conducted for OTA, almost 19,000 lbs of Organic wool were grown in the USA. New Mexico was the largest producer (81%) with 15,300 lbs, followed by Montana with 2,400 lbs. Other states with 500lbs or less each include Maine, Colorado, New Jersey and Vermont.