This one’s for you, Earth.
The use of agrochemicals in the conventional cotton sector affects an estimated 44% of cotton farmers each year. The results of this are grim: soil degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss and habitat destruction. Not to mention to the health risks associated with exposing cotton farmers to harsh chemical pesticides and fertilisers. A reaction to these conditions has witnessed many companies disengaging from cotton and opting for alternatives such as synthetics, in the form of cheap plastic-based fibres.
The result? It’s thought that 70% of the world’s clothes are now produced from plastic. And although many of us are more adept at saying no to single-use plastics (straws, single-use bottles and the like falling out of favour) we often forget about the toxic plastics in our clothing and textiles.
Cotton has been farmed and used for thousands of years. At any one time, everyone on the planet is wearing or using at least one article of cotton cloth a day. Not only in the everyday t-shirt, but in everything from bank notes to bubble-gum. Versatile, soft, breathable, absorbent, hypoallergenic, durable, biodegradable and renewable. It’s easy to sing its praises. But the production of cotton fibre into cloth has not been an unblemished one either. And although changing old systems is hard, at some point you have to strike out.
We continue to believe in using natural fibres. They feel better on the skin. Are better for the planet. They biodegrade, rather than not spending aeons in landfill.
We’re also committed to being transparent with our manufacturing. Which is why we open the door of our mill to you, each and every day. We don’t claim to possess all the answers, but we recognise that there are better ways to doing things. And that organic agriculture is part of this shift.
In 2020 we became South Africa’s first Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified mill. A world-leading standard for organic fibre processing, that has rigorous environmental and social ramifications – right from the soil and seed, to the finished product. Whilst not all our textiles are woven with organic cotton (we use OEKO-TEX certified linen and conventional Southern African grown cotton too), we’re committed to finding better ways to produce and to consume. To pursue sustainable stewardship. And to reflect that process with you too.
This Earth Day, we celebrate those textile standards that serve the betterment of our people and planet.
Find out more about our GOTS certification and organic journey here.
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