Better Cotton Initiative
Apparel and textile industry company news
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Cotton innovation challenge seeks sustainable ideas
A new initiative has been launched to find innovative ideas and solutions to improve global sustainable cotton farming practices around the world.
BCI releases revised cotton claims framework
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is releasing a newly-revised version of its Claims Framework, including changes that allow members to better communicate about their sustainability efforts, while ensuring the information is accurate and credible.
BCI trained over two million cotton farmers last season
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) says more than two million cotton farmers in 21 countries received training on more sustainable farming practices in the 2017-18 cotton season, with participants achieving a reduction in water and pesticide use while increasing yields and profits.
Which merchants and mills source most Better Cotton?
A new ranking released by the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has revealed the top 20 cotton merchants and top 50 mills based on their total Better Cotton sourcing volumes in 2018.
Marks & Spencer's journey to sourcing more sustainable cotton
British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has this season seen its entire clothing range made from 100% sustainable cotton – one of the first retailers to reach this milestone. Key to its achievement is the Better Cotton Initiative, the largest sustainable cotton programme in the world, according to Phil Townsend, technical lead, environmental sustainability and technical services at M&S. He also believes the transformation of the cotton sector should be a blueprint for other raw material initiatives.
Better Cotton Initiative joins fight to tackle climate change
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's (UNFCCC) Fashion for Global Climate Action initiative as a signatory to the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.
H&M and Gap Inc top Better Cotton sourcing leaderboard
Swedish apparel giant Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), furniture giant Ikea, and US speciality apparel retailer Gap Inc have topped a new ranking by the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) based on their total Better Cotton sourcing volumes in 2018.
Gap announces 100% sustainable cotton goal
US specialty apparel retailer Gap Inc has announced it is working with supply chain partners to source all cotton for its brands from sustainable sources by 2025.
Benetton eyeing 100% sustainable cotton by 2025
Italian fashion company Benetton Group says it is aiming for all its cotton products to be sustainable by 2025.
H&M to phase out conventional cashmere
Swedish apparel retailer H&M has announced plans to phase out conventional cashmere as part of its 2030 goal to only use sustainably sourced materials.
Members source 1m tonnes of Better Cotton in 2018
In 2018, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) experienced a historic level of uptake as 93 retailer and brand members sourced more than 1m metric tonnes of the fibre, an achievement the organisation says sends a "clear signal" to the market.
New pilot will safeguard Egyptian Cotton supply chain workers
Cotton Egypt Association has announced a collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation — The Egyptian Cotton Project — which it says will boost sustainability efforts and improve conditions for supply chain workers of the Egyptian Cotton brand.
BCI to release updated Claims Framework
As the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) enters its tenth year, CEO Alan McClay has outlined a series of actions the organisation will take in 2019, including the launch of an updated Better Cotton Claims Framework.
UK retailers make progress on reducing environmental impact
The UK-based Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) says that changes introduced by retailers and brands who have signed up to its Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP 2020) have helped improve footprint of the clothing they sell.
Timberland continues to accelerate sustainability efforts
Timberland has once again increased the use of organic, US-origin and Better Cotton in its products and continues to progress towards its 2020 sustainability goals.
H&M, Adidas, Gap, Nike largest BCI cotton users
H&M, Adidas, Gap Inc and Nike have been named in the top five of Better Cotton Initiative's (BCI) top brands list for sourcing the sustainable raw material.
Timberland makes progress on 2020 sustainability goals
Outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland continues to progress towards its 2020 sustainability goals, particularly in its bid to incorporate more sustainable cotton into its apparel.
More than 350 brands now committed to Better Cotton Initiative
Takko Holding GmbH and Target Australia Pty Ltd are among the newest retailer and brand members who joined the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) in the second quarter of 2018.
Decathlon to significantly reduce its polyester impact
Global sporting goods retailer Decathlon has pledged to significantly reduce its polyester impact, with all textile products sold in France due to be made from 100% more sustainable polyester by the end of 2021.
Timberland uses more responsibly sourced cotton
Timberland has increased the use of organic, US-origin and Better Cotton in its products in the first quarter of 2018, the US outdoor apparel and footwear giant has said, as it outlined its latest sustainability achievements.
Textile certification schemes slammed for false promises
A campaign group's new report has called for the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) to be scrapped, and suggests most certification schemes in the textile sector are guilty of making false promises on sustainability.
Hugo Boss outlines new sustainability agenda
German fashion brand Hugo Boss has outlined a series of new sustainability goals, including plans to up its use of sustainable cotton, reduce the use of chemicals in its products, and to make a significant contribution to five of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Lindex notes supply chain transparency challenges
Swedish fashion retailer Lindex says 55% of its garments were made from sustainable materials last year – but admits there is still work to be done in consolidating its supply chain and increasing transparency past the first tier.
Mango commits to sustainable cotton sourcing
Spanish fashion chain Mango has become the latest brand to join the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) as part of a new commitment to ensure 50% of the cotton it sources is of sustainable origin by 2022.
Timberland makes "steady" progress on 2020 sustainability goals
Outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland says it is making "steady" progress towards its 2020 sustainability goals, particularly in its bid to incorporate more sustainable cotton into its apparel.
Mozambique on course as 100% Better Cotton country
Mozambique's Government is undertaking an initiative it hopes will enable it to be the first country in the world to produce 100% Better Cotton, revitalising its cotton industry and securing access to new markets.
M&S launches sustainable selvedge denim jeans
Retailer Marks & Spencer has launched a range of more sustainable selvedge denim jeans as part of its commitment to address the social, ethical and environmental impacts of its products.
Better Cotton membership jumped 40% last year
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) says it continued to scale up and engage with more farmers globally last year, growing its membership by 40% in 2016 and generating a 28.5% rise in income.
Clothing brands commit to 100% sustainable cotton by 2025
Asos, Kering, Levi Strauss & Co and Nike are among 13 clothing and textile brands who have committed to using 100% sustainable cotton by 2025.
H&M leads Better Cotton league
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) says demand for more sustainable cotton is on the rise, with Swedish retailer H&M and sportswear giants Adidas and Nike leading the field in its 'Better Cotton league'.
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