The Cotton Trust Protocol in the United States revealed that producer participation for the 2021/22 harvest had more than quadrupled since the program's trial last year. The Trust Protocol's purpose is to provide quantitative and verifiable goals and benchmarks for important sustainability measures in US cotton production.

The initiative's objective is to establish a new benchmark in sustainable cotton production by ensuring complete transparency and focusing on continual development to lower our environmental footprint. The program's key principles include a dedication to the history of authenticity, innovation, and quality in US cotton, environmental sustainability, human care, and personal and business integrity.

Dr. Gary Adams, president of the US Cotton Trust Protocol, said that in their second year, they more than quadrupled the number of US cotton producers engaged in the program, with an estimated 1.1 million cotton acres enrolled. Their farmer members are world leaders in sustainable cotton production, and as supply chain participation grows, growers are urged to join the project to assist guarantee the system has enough cotton to fulfill demand.

Almost all of the top 100 global companies and retailers have produced lists of sustainable raw materials and have committed to purchasing entirely from these lists over the next 5-10 years. The Trust Protocol was created to satisfy and even surpass the stringent standards for these listings.

Growers may learn more or enroll by visiting TrustUSCotton.org or contacting the Grower Help Desk at [email protected]. Producers that join in the program and complete their data input will also be eligible for program revenue redistribution.

Since its inception in 2020, the Trust Protocol has welcomed over 600 brand, retailer, mill, and manufacturer members. J.Crew, Madewell, Levi Strauss & Co., Gap Inc., and global garment producer Gildan are among others included.

The United States Cotton Trust Protocol is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, is recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and is a component of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040, and Cotton Up initiatives. In addition, the program has been acknowledged and published in the ITC Standards Map.