Boohoo drives sustainability with its own Pakistan-grown cotton

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jun 21, 2021

Boohoo is dramatically upping its stance on sustainability. After coming under intense scrutiny over supply chain issues for its fast-fashion business, the online retail giant is to produce its own sustainable cotton.

The business has planted its own crop in Pakistan, which it plans to harvest in the first half of next year, Boohoo chief executive John Lyttle told the Daily Telegraph.

Its first crop will yield about 2,000 tons, which will go into Boohoo’s supply chain and be used to create “millions” of garments for its leisurewear and denim ranges, he said. 

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The company said the move will allow it “complete traceability” for its cotton.

The initiative comes amid widespread reports of human rights abuses of cotton producers in the Xinjiang region of northwest China, affecting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities.

Boohoo has denied using products made with forced labour in the region following an investigation by the government’s business, energy and industrial strategy committee. The retailer said it did “not knowingly source any yarn or fabric” from the region.

But the latest move from Boohoo will help eliminate any speculation and further its move to have transparency in its supply chain process. Last month, Boohoo published its ‘Ready For The Future’ commitment to sustainability.

Its pledge commitment includes all of Boohoo’s polyester and cotton will be recycled or more sustainable by 2025. This was backed up by the company launching a new clothing range made from recycled plastic, called The Recycled Collection, just last month.

Other initiatives include diverting textile waste in its own operations from landfill to include its UK supply chain; developing different ways for customers to recycle their garments and making further progress on making all types of its packaging sustainable.

Boohoo also plans to publish a list of its global suppliers in September.