MATERIALGUIDE
ORGANIC COTTON – for the environment and people
In the Cottover range , we have chosen to use organic Fairtrade-certified cotton . For us it is a way to protect both the environment and the people who work in cotton farming . Organic Fairtrade-certified cotton is grown in accordance with high social , economic and environmental requirements . This means , among other things , that growers and employees work under fair conditions , for example without pesticides , with fair wages and a fair payment for the cotton . It is about respecting human rights , but also , showing concern for the environment .
Our active choice means that all Cottover products , for the most part , consist of organic cotton grown without pesticides by cotton farmers working under the UN Convention for Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work . As a consumer it is sometimes difficult to know what you ’ re actually buying and how the product is made . Making active choices and buying certified products is a way to consume more sustainably , as well as supporting the suppliers who invest in people and the environment . Through your choices you can make a difference .
Today , cotton cultivation accounts for about 25 % of the global use of pesticides . It has long been known that chemical pesticides are harmful to both wildlife and the people who work with them . Chemical pesticides also leach into drinking water and poison the soil .
For cotton to be called organic , it must be grown without any chemical pesticides . Nor must artificial fertilizers be used . Growing organically may result in poorer harvests and also requires a greater effort . We believe this is something to keep in mind when considering why the difference in price between organic cotton and cotton grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides is relatively high .
Behind all organic cotton are cotton farmers who work hard and also risk their harvests and thus , their income .
RECYCLED POLYESTER – for environmental sustainability and durability in garments
There is no simple and general answer as to whether recycled fibers are a more sustainable option than others , even if the intentions are the best . The parameters to take into account are many ; water and chemical use and work environment , to name a few . Differences can also be significant between producers , even if they use the same raw materials . This is why we have chosen Cottover ’ s producers with great care .
Natural fibres can sometimes be more durable than synthetic ones , but not always . The fact that all textile production has an impact on the environment is something we can ’ t escape . It is about raw materials , production , transport , use and disposal . We have a great responsibility to use the resources as carefully as possible , and with the least possible environmental impact .
The polyester we use in parts of the Cottover collection is recycled from PET-bottles . By using materials that are already in circulation we ’ re able to reduce the use of raw materials , especially materials from non-renewable sources . This means tangible environmental benefits , such as reduced amount of water , energy and chemicals in production .
Recycled polyester is strong . It keeps its shape and resists wear and tear , which prolongs the life of the garment while reducing a negative climate impact . Our belief is that washing and garment care should be as simple as possible . Therefor , our guess is that you ’ ll like the fact that polyester also dries quickly and that you don ’ t have to iron your garments .
Using recycled polyester combined with third-party certification is part of our responsibility and something we are proud of .
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