Better Cotton
The Better Cotton Initiative is a global non-profit organization and the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative that works to transform cotton production worldwide by promoting more sustainable practices. By upholding BC’s rigorous environmental, social, and economic criteria, the organization aims to ensure that cotton is cultivated ethically and sustainably. Unlike certification schemes, Better Cotton does not mandate logo usage by members; it’s entirely voluntary. Members are encouraged to progressively increase Better Cotton sourcing to at least 50% within five years to display the logo on their products.
BCI Seven Principles
Better Cotton operates on seven fundamental principles that underpin its commitment to transforming global cotton production. These principles guide sustainable practices and impact assessment:
- Crop protection
Better Cotton supports farmers in learning about pest management, promoting alternative pest control techniques. Better Cotton also helps farmers minimize the use of highly hazardous pesticides that pose risks to the environment and the workers health.
- Water
Better Cotton promotes environmentally sustainable, economically beneficial, and socially equitable water use.
- Soil health
Better Cotton Farmers focus on understanding and protecting soil health, leading to increased yields, reduced costs, and improved resilience to climate change.
- Biodiversity
Better Cotton helps farmers to conserve and enhance biodiversity, minimizing negative impact on the surroundings.
- Fibre quality
Better Cotton supports farmers in adopting best practices during harvest, storage, and transport to reduce contamination and waste, ensuring higher cotton value and better prices.
- Decent work
Better Cotton ensure decent working conditions, promoting fair pay, equal opportunities, and a safe, respectful environment for all workers.
Management System
Better Cotton Farmers operate an effective management system, incorporating policies and procedures to meet Better Cotton Principles and Criteria, facilitating continuous learning and improvement.
Choosing Better Cotton
The Better Cotton logo can be used product-level by Better Cotton members who source at least 10% of their cotton as Better Cotton, delivering to increase this to at least 50% Better Cotton within five years.
When purchasing from a brand that adheres to BCI standards in cotton sourcing, you’re supporting a shift toward positive change in the cotton industry. This ensures that your textiles are crafted with both environment and people in mind.
Better Cotton is ISEAL Code Compliant. Additionally, the Better Cotton Principles and Criteria were developed under the guidance of ISO/IEC Guide 59 Code of Good Practice for Standardization.
For impact assessment, BCI collects Results Indicator Reporting (RIR) data from countries implementing the Better Cotton Standard System, scrutinizing results to evaluate improvements.
It’s crucial to exercise caution regarding misleading language, particularly the use of terms like “BC-certified cotton.” Better Cotton operates through a mass balance system, meaning its cotton is mixed with other types in the supply chain, making specific claims about “BC cotton” inaccurate. Such false language can mislead consumers and undermine the integrity of sustainable sourcing efforts. Therefore, it’s essential for brands to accurately communicate their involvement with Better Cotton and refrain from implying direct certification of their products.
