Giving consumers the more sustainable cotton that they want
Consumers are increasingly interested in where their clothes and raw materials come from and the impact they have on the earth. Sixty-eight percent of consumers consider sustainability important when making a purchase, according to a study from CGS. There has never been a greater expectation for sustainability and transparency, as designers, brands and retailers around the globe are being held accountable for every step of their supply chain—from ensuring responsible labor and sustainable growing practices to delivering a circular lifecycle.
In a period of ever-greater supply chain scrutiny and growing demand for transparency and traceability, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol sets a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton. It brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurements to sustainable cotton production and drives continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics.
By 2025, the Trust Protocol has committed to reducing U.S. cotton’s water use by 18%; energy use by 15%; greenhouse gas emissions by 39%; and raising soil carbon levels by 30%. In order to preserve our land, the Trust Protocol intends to increase land-use efficiency by 13% and decrease soil loss reduction by 50%.
“By joining the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, growers like me will be able to showcase our story and help demonstrate to brands and retailers that the U.S. is a leader in sustainable cotton growing practices,” said Kellon Lee, a cotton grower from St. Joseph, Louisiana. “The program will also help improve our own sustainability efforts by allowing us to analyze and compare data year-over-year both from our farm and anonymously against other Trust Protocol growers.”
The Trust Protocol underpinsand verifies U.S. cotton’s sustainability progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Choosing Trust Protocol cotton will give brands and retailers the critical assurances they need that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk. Brands and retailers will gain access to U.S. cotton with sustainability credentials proven via Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, measured via the Field Calculator and verified with Control Union Certifications.
To learn more about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, please visit TrustUSCotton.org
