Sustainability – Prime Focus for the US Cotton Industry
There has been increasing interest in sustainability among brands and consumers globally. The US cotton industry has always had a sustainability-focused approach and has comprehensive systems to reduce environmental impact.
Since
Covid-19, it has been observed globally that sustainability has been one of the
topics that has gained attention among the brands, retailers and consumers. On
one hand, there has been a shift in consumers’ choices for more sustainable
products, and on the other hand brands and retailers are choosing sustainable
practices throughout their supply chains.
The
US cotton industry has always had a sustainability-focused approach and has one
of the most comprehensive systems for monitoring and measuring the key metrics
to reduce environmental impact. The 16,000 cotton farms in the United States
have been committed to continuous improvement for decades. For the past 35
years, US cotton production used less water per bale, reduced greenhouse gas
emissions, reduced energy consumption, all while reducing land use per bale.
Minimal tillage, GPS and sensor-driven precision agriculture and the growing of
winter cover crops are the practices adopted for improved soil health, reducing
loss and erosion and increasing soil carbon levels.
CATEGORIES Industry Update
