Sustainability at Scale: Exploring the Benefits of a Landscape Approach
BCI will explore how its current systems and the Better Cotton Standardcould be adapted to alandscapeor jurisdictionalapproach and the benefits of doing so.
Read moreCotton Farming and Covid-19: On the Ground in Turkey
As part of our Cotton Farming and Covid-19 series, we speak with our Strategic Partner in Turkey, as well as three BCI Farmers to find out more about what is happening on the ground.
Read moreCotton Farming and Covid-19: On the Ground in Mali
Find out more about the situation on the ground in Mali in the following Q&A with BCI’s partner Compagnie Malienne Pour le D√©velopement du Textile (CDMT).
Read moreResponding to the Covid-19 Crisis: Interview with Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF)
Chandrakant Kumbhani, General Manager at Ambuja Cement Foundation, tells us how the foundation is working to not only ensure farmers receive training and support for the upcoming cotton season but they are also prepared and equipped to deal with Covid-19 challenges.
Read moreCotton Farming and Covid-19: On the Ground in China
In our new blog series, we interview BCI Implementing Partners in China who are supporting BCI Farmers and farming communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read moreCotton Farming and Covid-19: On the Ground in India
In our new blog series, we interview BCI Implementing Partners in India who are supporting BCI Farmers and farming communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read moreNew Blog Series from Better Cotton CEO: Covid-19 and the Cotton Sector
BCI exists to improve farmer livelihoods through the adoption of more sustainable practices. I’d like to share a few insights that are crucial for the cotton and textile sector to consider during this period.
Read morePartnering to Scale Sustainable Cotton Farming Practices: Q&A with C&A Foundation
Anita Chester is Head of Sustainable Raw Materials at C&A Foundation and leads the development and implementation of the foundation’s sustainable raw materials strategy. We spoke with her about the power of collaboration when driving a sector towards sustainability.
Read moreBetter Cotton Outlines Step-Change on Impact Measurement
Measuring the numbers of farmers participating in projects and meeting the Better Cotton Standard, or the volumes of cotton licensed, is important but it is not enough.
Read moreAccelerating and Scaling Sustainability in Cotton Production: Q&A with IDH
IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative has been instrumental in BCI’s growth, providing the initial funding that enabled the scale-up of BCI programmes in different parts of the world, delivering fund management and driving innovation
Read moreReaching and Training 930,000 Cotton Farmers Across Africa: Q&A with Aid by Trade Foundation
In the 2017-18 cotton season, more than 930,000 farmers across Africa produced approximately 560,000 metric tonnes of cotton certified in accordance with Aid by Trade Foundation’s (AbTF) Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) standard.
Read moreContributing to a More Sustainable Way of Doing Fashion: Q&A with Monki
This year Monki (a brand of BCI Member Hennes & Mauritz Group) achieved its goal to sustainably source 100% of its cotton. The retailer’s longer-term goalis to source only recycled or other more sustainable materials by 2030.We caught up with Irene Haglund, Sustainability Manager, to talk about their achievement and what is next for the brand.
Monki has achieved its goal to sustainably source 100% of its cotton. Tell us about your journey and your sustainable cotton portfolio.
From using organic cotton, to partnering with organisations like the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), to adhering to our ’no-go’ material list, we are making conscious decisions to help minimise any environmental impact our materials have on the world. With milestones such as our 100% organic denim range launched in summer 2016 to our current goal of100%sustainably sourced cotton, we continuously strive to make the world a kinder place and believe that sustainability is a large part of this.
How have you worked withBCIto communicate Monki’s commitments to Better Cotton in a way that maintains Monki’s tone of voice and resonates with your customers?
BCI has been an essential partner in helping us to communicate our achievement of 100% sustainably sourced cotton. The fun, friendly, brave and empowering ways of our communication together withBCI’s specialist role in sustainability and their deep knowledge of the subject have together resulted in accessible and informative communication that speaks to our customer and community.
What response have your sustainable cotton communications received?
We saw positive engagement and support from our own community in the Monki social media channels as well as keen interest in the topic from international media outlets.It is a great feeling being able to present concrete steps and achievements towards a kinder future for all and the response we receive shows us that we are on the right path.We know thatour customers want something more than just products, and we work actively to have an honest dialogue, to listen and to improve. We love feedback, positive or negative, because this means that our community is committed, engaged and wants to be a part of Monki.
Now that you’ve achieved your 100% goal with regards to sustainable cotton sourcing, what is next for Monki?
Our aim is to source recycled or other more sustainable materials only, by 2030. In the long run it’s a step towards contributing to a more sustainable way of doing fashion. Through various initiatives, such as only using 100% organic cotton on all denim collections, sustainably sourced cotton in all products, and offering garment and textile recycling in all stores and offices, Monki is working towardsbecoming climate positive throughout our entire value chain by 2040.We are continuously re-analysing and adjusting ways to make a difference and to achieve a circular production model. Design,materials, production, garment care and the lifecycle of garments are just a part of this. Other projects include LED lighting in all new stores, reducing non-commercial goods, and paper bags replacing plastic bags.
Visit Monki Cares to find out more about Monki’s sustainability initiatives.
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