COTTON FROM SUSTAINABLE SOURCES

Almost 40% of the fibers in our garments are cotton, which makes it one of Blåkläder’s main materials. The fibers are used in many of our workwear and protective clothing. These garments are designed for use by professionals, which means they must be extremely durable and long-lasting. Cotton is a fiber that is both durable and comfortable to wear, making it ideal for workwear and protective clothing. However, the production of cotton fibers is not without its problems. With this in mind, we decided in 2017 to join BCI to support more sustainable ways of cotton production. We believe that cotton can be a more sustainable raw material depending on how the cotton fiber is produced.

BLÅKLÄDER IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE / BCI.

The Better Cotton Initiative, BCI, is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 that works to implement large-scale changes in the cotton industry, helping cotton farmers transition from conventional farming methods to more socially responsible and sustainable methods.

Better Cotton is more sustainable than conventionally grown cotton because farmers are trained to use their water resources and to reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides. In this way, the cotton is less exposed to chemicals, creating better working conditions, reducing their environmental impact and saving money. Farmers are also trained on social issues such as gender equality. The BCI helps farmers to grow cotton in a way that reduces their impact on the local environment while improving their own living standards. Organic cotton is the most desirable option for many reasons, but because the transition to organic cotton production is very expensive, it is currently inaccessible to most of the world’s poorer smallholders. Instead, BCI enables a step in the right direction for each individual cotton farmer. However, all of these steps together represent a massive overall improvement in cotton growth in the world. In the long run, organic growth should of course be the goal for everyone, but the journey there is a long one. Better Cotton offers a possible roadmap to that point, a step anyone can take.

Better Cotton comes from a Mass Balance system. Better Cotton cannot be physically traced back to the end product. This means that the cotton is not kept separate from the grower to the factory. Instead, it is part of a mass balance system that contributes to more sustainable cotton growth and a faster scale-up of more sustainable cotton.

We aim to source 80% of our cotton as Better Cotton by 2020. BCI aims to help five million cotton farmers switch to smarter farming methods by the end of 2020, representing 30% of global cotton production. This will make a big difference to cotton farming and the environment worldwide. Blåkläder’s goal for 2020 is that 80% of the cotton we buy is better cotton. Over time, this will make up an even bigger part.

Read more about BCI’s work for sustainable cotton production here https://bettercotton.org/