The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is welcoming a wave of approved supply chain partners for brands and retailers committed to sourcing more sustainably grown cotton.
The first ten U.S. cotton textile manufacturers joining as members are Buhler Quality Yarns, Cap Yarns, CCW, Contempora Fabrics, Cotswold Industries Inc., Frontier Yarns, Hamrick Mills, Inman Mills, Parkdale Inc., and Swisstex Direct.
The news follows the membership of The Gap Inc., which joined last week as part of its goal to source 100% of its cotton from more sustainable sources by 2025 across its collection of brands including Old Navy, Gap, banana republic and Athleta.
Mills and manufacturers that become members of the Trust Protocol have access to the Trust Protocol credit system to validate consumption of cotton and associated credits. The combination of a unique credit accounting system and the Permanent Bale Identification (PBI) system enables brands to have transparency throughout the supply chain to finished product.
“One of our goals with the Trust Protocol is to give brands and retailers greater confidence when including U.S. cotton in their sourcing mix. Our emphasis on measurement and independent verification can provide confidence and trust that a brand is using quality, responsibly grown cotton and producing a product that consumers can believe in,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
The Trust Protocol has been invited to join Cotton 2040 and its Cotton Up guide and also is on the Textile Exchange’s list of 36 preferred fibers and materials that more than 170 participating brands and retailers can select from as part of Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index program.
