Sustainable cotton options - integrating sustainability into the sourcing strategies of brands and retailers

摘要

Increasingly, consumers and brands are looking for alternatives to conventional cotton production and are actively investigating the various sustainable cotton options. When Organic Exchange was established in 2002 the emphasis on sustainable sourcing was very small. The members viewed organic cotton as a means of introducing sustain-ability into sourcing with positive benefits for farmers, the environment and the brands, as it provided positive messaging around their engagement with environmental and social issues. This saw organic cotton production grow from around 6,500 tons in the 2000/ 2001 season to over 175,000 tons on the 2008/2009 season.