Key Findings:

  1. Cotton Isn’t Harmless.
    Cotton uses more insecticides than any other major crop—accounting for 16% of global pesticide use. Over half of those chemicals are classified by the WHO as hazardous. Runoff from fertilizers contributes to water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

  2. The Water Footprint Is Massive.
    Producing 2.5 acres of cotton can take over 2 million gallons of water. It’s one of the most water-intensive fibers on the planet.

  3. Manufacturing Gets Toxic.
    Cotton production emits airborne dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants contribute to occupational illnesses like byssinosis and lead to long-term air and water contamination unless strictly managed.

  4. Fire Retardants aren’t recyclable.
    Textiles treated for durability, stain resistance, or flame retardancy are essentially non-recyclable. These treatments can leach toxic chemicals during use and degrade poorly in landfills or incineration.

  5. Biodegradable does not mean Sustainable.
    Yes, cotton is biodegradable—but it still releases methane and CO₂ as it breaks down. Meanwhile, only 16% of cotton textiles in the U.S. are actually recovered. Countries like Germany manage 70%—so it can be done better.

Reflection:

This research laid the foundation for my growing interest in sustainable materials and regenerative systems thinking. It pushed me to consider how material choices in design directly affect supply chains, communities, and ecosystems. I apply this mindset across my interior and architectural work, especially when sourcing textiles for public or high-traffic environments.

Skills Highlighted:

  1. Lifecycle analysis and sustainability research

  2. Critical environmental thinking applied to material selection

  3. Technical writing

  4. Application of sourcing logic to interior and architectural contexts