Sustainability
Cotton is a plant, first recorded in India, that grows a fluffy, long textile fiber. The biggest producer of cotton globally is India. Cotton is a cash crop, meaning it is mostly produced to be sold for profit. In the early 2000s, Indian farmers were encouraged to buy Bt cotton, a genetically modified cotton created to resist a specific type of pest. Over time, it became ineffective, and farmers had to spray even more pesticides to maintain their yields. This created a cycle of debts and soil degradation. Today, conventional cotton farming usually requires a tremendous amount of toxic chemicals, which are poisoning the land, the water, and the farming communities.
Organic cotton farming, on the other hand, relies on non-harmful practices and inputs that preserve the soil. It ultimately requires less water and energy and even reduces CO₂ emissions. That is why we made the early choice to purchase organic cotton grown in India. To this day, organic cotton remains our main material, representing around 80% of our production in volume.
Less water & less carbon dioxide
The explanation for less water use is partly because a healthier soil can retain water and nutrients much better than a dry, polluted one (which requires more irrigation), and partly because organic farming promotes better water management and irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation.
Synthetic agrochemicals used in conventional farming are manufactured using by-products from the petroleum industry (oil industry). This is a very carbon-intensive production. The fertilizers/pesticides also release greenhouse gases when used in the fields, so by avoiding these, we can reduce the CO₂ emissions, and thanks to organic farming giving rise to healthier farmlands, the soil can absorb much more carbon dioxide, just as it should.
Social advantages of organic cotton
The advantages of organic cotton farming are many, above all from an environmental perspective, but also for the farmers. Farmers can improve their margins by being less reliant on agrochemicals, and they get a premium when selling their organic cotton. Therefore, it benefits both nature and the farming communities who work, live, or make a living from the farmland.
GOTS
Dedicated is certified GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards). For a garment to be labeled GOTS, it must contain at least 70% organic fiber, and manufacturers have to comply with strict chemical restrictions, ensuring that no toxic chemicals are used. GOTS also inspects the factories against strict social criteria, ensuring safe working conditions, no discrimination, and no child labor among other criteria. The majority of our cotton garments are labeled GOTS.
Empowering farmers with Fairtrade
Cotton farmers in India require support to live from their harvest and to switch from conventional methods. Fairtrade sets a minimum price for cotton, which ensures better wages, and a Fairtrade Premium is also collected. It can finance community needs, from school fees to better farming tools. Fairtrade empowers farmers through financial support and capacity building, for the benefit of their whole community.
Regenerating the soils with regenerative agriculture
Since 2023, we have been buying Regenerative Organic Certified® cotton. This new certification puts a framework on the ancient regenerative agriculture practices, with the main goal of ensuring that the soil regenerates over time. Regenerative Organic Certified® builds on organic requirements to create outcomes like carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, water conservation, and many more.
