H&M topped the list of the world’s biggest users of certified organic cotton released by the Textile Exchange’s latest Organic Cotton Market Report 2013.
In 2013, 10.8 percent of the cotton used for H&M was certified organic, a continued increase from 7.8 percent in 2012.
“We are very proud of this achievement and we have set a clear goal to further increase our usage of certified organic cotton. This is part of our strategic target to use only more sustainable cotton by 2020,” said Henrik Lampa, H&M’s Environmental Sustainability Manager.
H&M headed Textile Exchange’s annual ranking also in 2010 and 2011 and took the second rank in 2012. The company said Better Cotton is cotton grown in a way that aims to reduce stress on the local environment and to improve the livelihoods and wellbeing for farmers and their communities.Thus, it is actively involved in the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).
Between 2011 and 2013, H&M directly invested more than EUR 2 million (USD) in BCI’s Fast Track Program to equip farmers with the required know-how. So far, more than 300,000 farmers have been trained. By the end of the financial year 2013, Better Cotton represented 5% of H&M’s total cotton use.
Earlier this year, H&M launched the first products made with recycled cotton that had been generated from consumer textile waste. This came after H&M had launched the world’s first global garment collecting scheme, aiming to pioneer a closed loop for textile production.
"To achieve our ambitious target, we create a growing demand for certified organic cotton, while additionally investing in Better Cotton and pioneering recycled cotton. All together means major improvements for people and the environment and makes clear business sense,” Lampa added.
Earlier this year, H&M also launched the first products made with recycled cotton that had been generated from consumer textile waste. This came after H&M had launched the world’s first global garment collecting scheme, aiming to pioneer a closed loop for textile production.
(Source: Retail in Asia)