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Earthbound Farm Sponsors the Big Sur International Marathon's 10.6-Mile Walk

Because of the environmental devastation caused by conventionally grown cotton, and because organic cotton costs more, Earthbound Farm increased our sponsorship donation in order to provide organic cotton t-shirts for the 2,100 people expected to participate in the 2008 walk. Here’s how it breaks down:

Synthetic Chemicals by the Pound

The Sustainable Cotton Project estimates that the average acre of California cotton receives some 300 pounds of toxic, persistent fertilizers — which works out to 1/3 pound of fertilizer to grow every pound of cotton. Synthetic fertilizers have been found to contaminate drinking wells in farm communities and pose other long-term threats to farmland.

In addition to those 300 pounds of synthetic fertilizers, the average acre of cotton is treated with 13 pounds of active ingredients found in conventional pesticides.

Environmental Impact per T-shirt

The average t-shirt uses 9 ounces of cotton. If it’s conventionally grown cotton, that shirt is responsible for 3 ounces of chemical fertilizers and 1/8 ounce of active pesticide ingredients. Think about dumping that into the pocket of your t-shirt!

Multiplied by 2,100

The Big Sur Marathon Walk will use 2,100 t-shirts for the event. By making those shirts organic cotton, the Earthbound Farm + Big Sur International Marathon partnership is responsible for keeping 394 pounds of synthetic fertlizers and 263 pounds of active pesticide ingredients out of our environment!