Cotton news and archive

Cotton and biodiversity: New report demonstrates key role of smallholder farmers

When it comes to cotton, many think of large companies responsible for its cultivation. However, according to Solidaridad figures from 2023, 70 percent of the world's cotton is produced by smallholder farmers. These are family farms of between one and ten hectares. Four key factors are responsible for agriculture contributing significantly to...

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Business

Better Cotton to become regenerative standard

Cotton sustainability initiative Better Cotton announced at its annual conference that it would become a regenerative standard within the next twelve months. “While Better Cotton’s field level standard is already recognised to cover many of the core tenets of regenerative agriculture, this move will further ensure that farmers who meet our...

Retail

The White Company joins Cotton Recycling Initiative as B Corp status pushes circular goals

As sustainability imperatives tighten across the retail landscape, The White Company, the British home and lifestyle brand known for its monochrome minimalism, has taken a new step in its post-B Corp journey. The 30-year-old retailer announced its participation in the Cotton Lives On recycling programme during its inaugural Sustainability Week,...

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Culture

"Let Them Be Naked" documentary lifts veil on chemical risks in clothing

As pressure mounts on the fashion industry to confront its environmental and health impacts, designer Jeff Garner is offering a personal—and urgent—call to action. His award-winning documentary Let Them Be Naked will stream globally for the first time this Mother’s Day weekend (8–11 May), in memory of his mother, Peggy Lynn Garner, whose death...

Fashion

Tanzania’s cotton sector sees alarming pesticide poisoning rates

A new study has cast a troubling spotlight on the health risks faced by Tanzania’s cotton farmers, reports UK charity Pesticides Action Network (PAN UK). The data reveals widespread pesticide poisoning linked to the continued use of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). As cotton remains a cornerstone of Tanzania’s rural economy—supporting over...

Fashion

Cotton Lives On invites UK fashion brands to join recycling programme

Cotton Lives On, the recycling programme first launched in 2022 by Cotton Council International and Cotton Incorporated, is calling for UK fashion brands and retailers to join its cost-free initiatives to divert cotton from landfill. In an open call-to-action, Cotton Lives On is looking to recycle old cotton, such as faulty or deadstock cottons,...

People

Avalo names chief commercial officer to introduce its low-input cotton

American AI-powered crop-evolution company Avalo has named textile-innovation veteran Tricia Carey as its chief commercial officer to bring its new low-input cotton to market. In a statement, Avalo said that Carey, who has decades of experience in industry-changing technologies such as introducing cutting-edge fibres like Tencel and pushing...

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Business

Regenerative Cotton Standard records promising results after first harvest in India

The Regenerative Cotton Standard by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), which was launched in Tanzania at the end of November 2023 and expanded to India in July last year, has delivered promising results in the Indian state of Maharashtra after the first harvest: higher crop yields, lower costs and increased awareness of regenerative agriculture...

Fashion

Spanx launches debut shapewear collection with Supima cotton

Women's lifestyle and shapewear brand Spanx has launched its first shapewear collection made from Supima cotton. Created in response to customer demand, the collection includes a curated assortment of Spanx's best-selling shapewear styles made from Supima cotton. Characterized by its extra-long fibers, which create softer, smoother, and more...

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Better Cotton shifts to certification model

Better Cotton has announced its official transition into becoming a certification scheme, contributing to efforts of boosting “impartiality and independence” among its business. Farm-level certification decisions will now be outsourced to independent third parties. Tom Owen, head of certification at the non-profit organisation, dedicated to...

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Aid by Trade Foundation introduces new transparency standard for cotton

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), known for cotton standards like Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) and Cotton made in Africa Organic, announced today the introduction of its new transparency standard in the first quarter of 2025. Only in November last year, the foundation joined the transparency initiative Make the Label Count to ensure that...

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Business

Shein bans cotton from unapproved regions for US

Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein has introduced new rules for sourcing cotton in products destined for the US market, Reuters reports. The company announced that cotton will now only be sourced from approved regions, such as the US, India, Brazil and Australia. Pressure is mounting for Shein to be more transparent about its supply chain,...