Organic cotton and sustainable development
- By Lindsay Liu
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, August 4, 2016
CEO of C&A China Mr. Lawrence Brenninkmeyer introduced how a small change such as using sustainable cotton instead of conventional cotton could benefit our environment, during an interview with China.org.cn.
As one of the world’s largest retailers of organic cotton apparel, C&A has been using Bio-Cotton (Cotton in controlled biological agricultural systems) since 2004 in order "to make fashion a force for good". Now, sustainability has been an integral part of corporate management for a long time.
Brenninkmeyer said, "in Europe, C&A has gradually enhanced the public understanding of sustainable development, from the debut sale of bio-cotton products in 2005, to the amazing sales figures in 2009 (15 million items) and 2012 (80 million items)."
He added that "C&A promised 100% sustainable viscose which will apply to all their viscose products from 2017."
One of the main reasons that organic cotton can be successful is because of the benefits it provides for the environment, for consumers and for supplying countries.
As Brenninkmeyer explained, "Organic cotton production is beneficial to economic sustainability and environmental protection, making a significant difference to the local environment and the lives of local residents. Organic cotton also delivers substantial economic and environmental benefits; it enhances biodiversity and uses natural techniques to support strong and fertile soils, operates free from synthetic fertilizers (thus reducing N20 emissions) and toxic pesticides, and creates as much as five times less "grey water" pollution after use. Farmers can also save money by reusing the seeds, and many other resources, which is also good for their health."
Now C&A is trying to apply their successful experiences to China's existing organic cotton industries in order to attract more Chinese consumers.
Brenninkmeyer said, "Some of the sustainable markets are mature and some of them just took off, to extend the experienced skills or technologies from the global side and to tailor make specific tactics for each independent market."
He further explained, "for example, Brazil is a major producer of Better Cotton, responsible for 55% of the worldwide Better Cotton supply. However, most of this cotton is exported because local demand for Better Cotton is low. C&A Brazil is working to stimulate demand by helping spinning companies understand the benefits and by collaborating with The Brazilian Textile Industry Association."
Brenninkmeyer told china.org.cn that "the concept of sustainable cotton still remains in the beginning phase in China. The lack of awareness in regard to sustainable cotton is still a main challenge."
Some progress has already been made. "Multi-platform communication has been applied during the process, including the co-op documentary with NGC ‘For the Love of Fashion’ launched earlier this year." "In China, we are (C&A) teaming up with RARE to spread the long-term benefits of sustainable cotton amongst farmers and relevant suppliers, to build up a basic understanding of sustainable concepts, and the possible benefits they can obtain by growing organic cotton."
"Cotton product collections are not the end of the sustainable story," he stressed.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)