Cotton Protocol Leaves No Shred of Doubt for Apparel Firm
by Liam Goldsworthy
One of the world’s largest clothing manufacturers has become a member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
Gildan Activewear manufactures everyday basic apparel and is one of the largest domestic consumers of U.S. cotton.
The company has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol with its portfolio of company-owned brands, including Gildan®, Alstyle®, American Apparel® and Comfort Colors®. The firm is one of the largest domestic consumers of U.S. cotton, which represents the majority of the fiber used in Gildan’s products.
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol sets a standard for more sustainably grown cotton and works to continuously improve key sustainability metrics as the demand for transparency in supply chains continues to rise.
Using sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verifications, it upholds U.S. cotton’s progress and assures brands and retailers that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is produced sustainably with lower environmental and social risks.
A multi-stakeholder board of directors oversees the Trust Protocol which consists of brand and retailer representatives, civil society and independent sustainability experts, cotton growers, merchants and mills, to name but a few.
It is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is recognized by Forum for the Future and Textile Exchange. In addition, it is part of initiatives such as Cotton 2040, Cotton Up, Sustainable Apparel Coalition and Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge.
Glenn Chamandy, President and CEO of Gildan, said: “At Gildan, we have a vision of Making Apparel Better®, and we have long been committed to ensuring that our supply chain is ethical and sustainable from fiber to shirt.
“Joining the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a natural next step in our sustainability and transparency journey as it will increase transparency into our supply chain, while also providing us with additional assurance that the cotton we purchase from the U.S. is sustainably grown with low environmental and social risks.”
Dr Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, said: “Gilden has a proven track record of a strong commitment to sustainable practices and we are pleased to welcome them as new members.
“Their company was founded on the principle of producing sustainable and ethical apparel, to which cotton is a key component.
“As members of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, we will help them further this principle by providing them third-party verified assurances that they are sourcing responsibly produced, quality fiber and reducing environmental and social risk in their field-to-mill supply chain.”
