Cotton
We use cotton in many of the ALDI brand products available to our customers and understand the crucial role cotton farming plays in the livelihood of communities around the world. Together with our business partners, we are committed to standards that achieve long-term sustainable improvements in the cultivation of cotton.
Certifications
The Better Cotton Initiative seeks to reduce the negative impacts of cotton production on people and the planet. We partner with them to improve cotton farming globally. Their principles include eliminating harmful pesticides, increasing water efficiency, preserving soil fertility and the respect of basic human rights.
Aid By Trade Foundation (AbTF) trains smallholder farms in modern, efficient and environmentally friendly cultivation methods as well as business and economics. Pre-financing measures, protecting natural conservation areas and banning genetically modified cottonseeds are critical to AbTF standards, as well as complying with International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards and promoting women’s equal rights.
Fair Trade cotton farms are audited for compliance with Fair Trade standards, which drive income sustainability, community and individual well-being, empowerment and environmental stewardship. The cotton growers can sell their cotton at a fixed minimum price that covers the cost associated with sustainable production and protects against market volatility. The growers also receive a Fair Trade premium- a small amount per purchase that they can reinvest in social and economic community projects of their choice.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) establishes consistent and rigorous criteria worldwide for the processing of textiles made from certified organic natural fibers throughout the entire supply chain. These criteria include the controlled organic cultivation of fibers, environmentally friendly and socially responsible production and consistent product labelling. Compliance with these guidelines is verified throughout the supply chain with regard to the use of chemical additives and the core labor standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Only textile products which contain at least 70% organically cultivated natural fibers may receive GOTS certification.
The Organic Content Standard (OCS) records the exact share of ecologically sound materials in a given product. From the creation of the individual fibers to the finished product, the OCS tracks the use of certified, organically produced natural fibers. Depending on the share of organically produced fibers, the certified product displays either the “OCS blended” logo (contains at least 5%) of the “OCS 100” logo (contains 95-100%). We require cotton in OCS-blended labelled products to be of 100% organic origin and only allow blending with non-cotton materials.