Norwegian menswear chain Dressman is set to become the world’s largest buyer and fashion retailer of Fairtrade certified cotton thanks to a new commitment and the launch of a sustainable garment line.
Dressman will not only launch a range of T-shirts, boxer shorts and socks produced from Fairtrade certified cotton, but has also committed to sourcing 100% sustainable cotton by 2024 in a bid to improve social and environmental conditions across its entire supply chain.
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“We are proud to be able to launch a range of clothing made from Fairtrade certified cotton, making us the biggest player in the sector. The Fairtrade label will initially launch on basic garments that are always in store, but this is just the beginning of our journey with Fairtrade, and we plan to introduce more clothing lines in Fairtrade certified cotton by 2018,” says Chessa Nilsen, sustainability lead at Dressmann.
The move will see the Norwegian retailer launch its new range in up to 500 stores across Europe in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Austria and Germany.
“It’s exactly when big volumes such as these are traded on Fairtrade terms that Fairtrade can have a truly transformative impact on cotton farming communities and their environment across Africa, Asia and Latin America,” adds Subindu Garkhel, Fairtrade’s global cotton manager. “We hope that Dressmann’s Fairtrade commitment will inspire other major fashion brands and retailers to follow suit and scale up.”
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The Fairtrade commitment means that the farmers who grew the cotton have met Fairtrade’s social, economic and environmental standards.
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By GlobalDataIn India, over 2,400 cotton farmers from Fairtrade certified cooperative Noble Ecotech have benefited from Fairtrade cotton sales, enabling them to purchase farm equipment, water tanks and school equipment for local children. They have also installed drainage in all fields, reducing their water consumption by around 40%.
Farmers from Noble Ecotech plan to invest money earned from Fairtrade sales in establishing a centre for agricultural training where they can learn about efficient farming and cultivation of other crops, as well as how best to produce natural fertilisers and pesticides.
All the Fairtrade certified cotton in Dressmann’s garments can be physically traced all the way back to the farmers’ cooperative, the company says.
“Dressmann has committed to ensure that all the cotton we use by 2025 should come from sustainable sources, and Fairtrade is our preferred tool within this context. Fairtrade helps us increase our sustainability not only at the factory floor level, but also for the farmers who grow our cotton,” says Nilsen.
