By supporting the BCI, we are ensuring that more cotton farmers are learning sustainable farming methods, allowing for more sustainable cotton to enter the global cotton supply chain.
We are committed to sourcing 80% of our cotton as Better Cotton by 2021.
What is the BCI and Better Cotton?
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is the biggest cotton sustainability program in the world. The aim of BCI is to improve the global cotton system by training farmers across the globe on more sustainable farming practices:
Efficient water use
Care for soil health & natural habitats
Reduce use of harmful chemicals
Advocate for womens' inclusion
Focus on workers' safety & well-being
Is Better Cotton better than organic cotton?
Organic cotton is grown with no pesticides or chemical fertilizers and with non-GMO seeds. It’s a great standard but it stands for a very small part of the global cotton production - because transitioning to organic cotton is often difficult and time consuming.
Organic cotton yield
Better Cotton yield
The Better Cotton Initiative exists to make global cotton production as a whole better, and more quickly.
BCI works collaboratively with other standards, including organic and Fairtrade, all of whom are working towards a shared goal: to ensure that cotton is produced in a more sustainable manner.
Is there ‘Better Cotton’ in my Threadfast tee?
Unlike recycled polyester fibers, Better Cotton is not traceable. Better Cotton is allowed to be mixed with conventional cotton on its journey from field to product. For instance, a yarn mill can mix both Better Cotton and conventional cotton when spinning the yarn:
It’s not about how much Better Cotton is in each tee. It’s about the demand we create to source Better Cotton that positively impacts farmers and the environment. The more demand we create, the greater the impact.
