Organic cotton at C&A – a good feeling
C&A's commitment to the cultivation of certified organic cotton is a key part of our sustainability strategy for the protection of people and the environment. Cotton is the most commonly grown non-food plant in the world. However, conventional methods of cultivating cotton consume considerable quantities of natural resources, such as water, which have limited availability, and require large amounts of artificial fertilisers and toxic pesticides. Organic methods of cotton cultivation have a positive effect on the environment and on the health of farmers and their families. This is why five years ago C&A launched an organic cotton programme. And today is one of the global market leaders for textiles made from organic cotton.
C&A's cooperation with Textile Exchange and the Shell Foundation was essential to the success of C&A's organic cotton programme in India. This cooperation made it possible to identify suitable agricultural concerns, train farmers and provide additional assistance as necessary. And the programme is growing all the time. Whereas C&A sold an impressive 15.3 million garments made of organic cotton in 2008, this had grown to 26 million garments in 2010, meaning that 13 percent of the entire C&A cotton collection is made of organic cotton. An important selling proposition for our customers was and is that C&A's organic cotton products are offered at the same price as those made of conventional cotton. This is C&A’s contribution to bringing certified organic cotton products to the attention of our quality-conscious customers.
The primary focus of C&A in respect of its activities in India is to help deliver a significant improvement in the environment, the lives and the living conditions of more than 30,000 farmers and their families. In order to achieve this goal, a new organisation has been established, known as "Cotton Connect". Its task is to provide targeted support for the transition from conventional to sustainable and renewable farming methods with the aid of transferable business models by building partnerships with retailers and brands.
