Richard Haworth passes 1 million kg milestone on the road to Better Cotton

In 2019 the Greater Manchester-based business of Richard Haworth became a member of the BCI – a not for profit organisation that works to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future. And in just three years the textile manufacturer has acquired more than a million units of Better Cotton – the equivalent of over a million kilograms of cotton.

Raj Ruia, director of Richard Haworth, says: “By being a part of the BCI initiative we are supporting responsible cotton farming practices where it matters the most - right on the farms growing the cotton. The BCI promotes better standards in cotton farming around the world and we are proud to be able to champion the initiative’s renewable methods.

“To have surpassed the million units of cotton sourced from a BCI gin is a huge achievement for our manufacturing output and our overall CSR aims to ensure we are producing and selling the most sustainable products possible.”

Better Cotton licensed farmers must follow and adhere to the BCI’s seven guiding principles to produce cotton in a way that is better for themselves, their communities and the environment. As part of its core offering the BCI trains and supports its 2.7 million licensed farmers to adopt more sustainable processes.

When Better Cotton is harvested, it is physically segregated from the farm to the gin ensuring all Better Cotton bales produced by participating gins are 100% Better Cotton and can be traced back to licensed farmers. The 100 % Better Cotton bales are then purchased by traders and spinners. From this point on, Better Cotton can be mixed with conventional cotton and spun to make the cotton used in Richard Haworth’s wide range of products.

Ruia adds: “BCI relies on a Mass Balance system, where Better Cotton can be mixed with other types of cotton on its journey from the field to the final product. Our aim at Richard Haworth is for 50% of our total cotton purchased to be Better Cotton within the next 5 years.”

The BCI’s Mass Balance chain of custody ensures that the quantity of physical cotton sold with a Better Cotton claim cannot exceed the quantity of cotton purchased with a Better Cotton claim.

Richard Haworth’s range of bed, bath and table linens are created using the highest quality fabric and are used by some of the most prestigious hotels, restaurants and spas across the country.

Many Richard Haworth products are manufactured in the UK and all are designed with the quality and durability that prestigious hotels require, with a range of products to suit every budget, style and need.

• To view the full Richard Haworth range and purchase online visit
  www.richardhaworth.co.uk