MEMPHIS – The US Cotton Trust Protocol has welcomed luxury brand Byford as a member of its system which aims to bring quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to the issue of cotton production using key sustainability metrics. Byford joins other leading brands as members, including Gap Inc. as well as its collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and Next. The Trust Protocol also has over 200 global mills and manufacturer members, including from the US and Latin America.
Byford, founded in Leicester, UK with its origins dating back the early 20th century, is dedicated to quality garments, reflecting a commitment to high standards of design and craftsmanship. The brand has more than 1,500 sales points in over 20 markets around the world.
The Trust Protocol underpins and verifies sustainability progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. It works with Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture and Control Union Certifications North America, the Trust Protocol to enable brands and retailers to better track the cotton entering their supply chain.
Brands who become members of the Trust Protocol gain access to aggregate year-over-year data in six areas: water use, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, soil carbon and land use efficiency.
Additionally, the Trust Protocol’s credit management solution provides visibility and transparency through supply chains.
“The Trust Protocol’s emphasis on measurement and independent verification provides the confidence and trust that a brand is using responsibly grown cotton and producing a product that consumers can believe in,” said Dr Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “With each member that joins, we have greater resources to help provide tools and knowledge to U.S. cotton farmers to help them continuously improve their sustainability practices.”
