SUPPORTING MORE RESPONSIBLE COTTON FARMING
Cotton is one of the most important materials in Blåkläder’s workwear and protective clothing. The fibre is durable, comfortable, moisture-absorbent, and doesn’t melt when exposed to heat. It also comes from a renewable source. These properties make cotton particularly well suited to workwear designed for demanding daily use and a long service life.
However, cotton farming presents significant challenges. It requires fertile land and substantial water, and it often uses large amounts of fertilisers and pesticides. Low incomes and poor working conditions are further concerns within cotton production. This is why Blåkläder has been a member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) since 2017.
WHAT IS THE BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE?
The Better Cotton Initiative is an international non-profit organisation founded in 2005 to improve cotton farming worldwide. Through farming standards, training, and monitoring, BCI helps farmers use water more efficiently, reduce pesticide risks, and improve soil health and biodiversity. Its work also addresses working conditions and livelihoods, aiming to help farmers earn a living from their crops and ensure fair wages for workers.
SMALL IMPROVEMENTS, LARGE-SCALE CHANGE
Smallholder farmers produce the vast majority of the world’s cotton. For many, converting to organic farming requires investments they cannot afford. Instead, BCI offers the opportunity for incremental improvements in cultivation methods, which allows more growers to participate in the development. This makes it possible for more farmers to take part. When improvements are adopted at scale, even small changes can make a significant difference for people and the environment. That’s why Blåkläder is committed to BCI.
HOW BLÅKLÄDER SOURCES BETTER COTTON
Our aim is to continue sourcing 100% of our cotton through the BCI system. Under its mass balance model, Better Cotton can be mixed with conventionally grown cotton as it moves through the supply chain. Rather than keeping the cotton physically separate all the way to the finished garment, equivalent volumes are recorded and monitored. This approach allows us to support more responsible cotton farming and help drive wider adoption of improved farming practices worldwide.