The Warehouse Limited is proud to be a member of The Better Cotton Initiative.
Cotton is one of the most popular commodities in the world. It is a renewable resource, but its production is vulnerable to poor environmental management and working conditions.
Thanks to the work of Better Cotton, the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world, farmers in the cotton supply chain can have a voice and can work to improve the sustainability of this vital crop.
Through our membership fees, Better Cotton licensed farmers can produce cotton in a way that cares for the environment, minimising the negative effects of fertilisers and pesticides and caring for water, soil health and natural habitats. Better Cotton farmers also commit to decent work principles – conditions that support workers’ safety and wellbeing.
Supporting the people who create the products we sell, and minimising environmental harm is a priority for The Warehouse. When we joined Better Cotton in 2019, we made a public commitment to source 50% of our cotton as Better Cotton by 2024. We are pleased that we have been able to significantly exceed that goal.
Better Cotton advise us that in 2023 nearly 90% of our cotton was sourced as Better Cotton. Our Better Cotton is sourced via a system of Mass Balance and is not physically traceable to end products.
2023 results
· In 2023 across its apparel and home textile ranges The Warehouse purchased about 3,475 tonnes of cotton fibre.
· Better Cotton advise us that 89.85 % of this was sourced as Better Cotton.
· In 2023, an estimated 2.29 billion litres of water were saved thanks to our sourcing of Better Cotton.
· In 2023, an estimated 1,400 kg of pesticides were avoided thanks to our sourcing of Better Cotton.
· In 2023, Better Cotton Farmers benefited from an estimated 813,719 (NZ) dollars additional profit thanks to our sourcing of Better Cotton. Better Cotton Farmers experience profit increases for a variety of reasons, most commonly due to increased yields and/or optimised use of inputs (such as irrigation water, pesticides, or synthetic fertiliser).
Learn more about Better Cotton : www.bettercotton.org.
