Organic, Regenerative and Recycled Cotton

Organic Cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, and genetically modified seeds used in the growth of conventional cotton. Locally-adapted natural seeds are planted instead, and natural methods used to control pests, weeds, and disease – this means that all agricultural practices used for its production should bring measurable positive impacts on soil health, water, and biodiversity.

While the land area dedicated to conventional cotton growth has not changed for around 80 years, in that time output has
tripled – widely attributed to the use of large quantities of fertiliser and pesticides. The impact of these chemicals is well documented and includes reduced soil fertility and loss of biodiversity.

Whereas cultivating cotton organically – in a
system that does not use synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or growth regulators – addresses many of these issues, making Organic Cotton a perfect fit for our brand.

Cotton recycling involves two elements: pre-consumer recycling and post-consumer recycling. Pre-consumer recycled cotton consists of the re-use of fibres during both the weaving and industrial process of cotton manufacture. Post-consumer recycling involves the reclaiming of fibres after use by consumers, and manually reconditioning the fibre for re-use. Sourcing cotton fibre from a non-virgin source allows us to reduce the impact that farming and processing have on our carbon footprint. We are constantly assessing where we can use Recycled Cotton in our range.

The process of recycling cotton begins with cotton waste being mechanically shredded back to a fibrous state. This fibre is then taken for spinning. Typically, depending on the harshness of the process, Recycled Cotton needs to be blended with virgin fibres to ensure the quality of the yarn is kept as high as possible.

Post-consumer Recycled Cotton is harder to achieve. Securing quality waste cotton that has been washed numerous times but still offers the fibre length needed for recycling is tough, but not impossible. Colour is also a factor for consideration. Bleaching and re-dyeing fabrics can have a greater impact on the environment, but sorting colours can be laborious, and with limited recycling facilities, getting our hands on post-consumer Recycled Cotton is tough.

Taking responsibility for the impact of our garments means considering production at every stage of the cycle.

In 2024, we proudly launched our first range made with regenerative fibres.

The term regenerative farming specifically relates to the way in which crops or livestock are farmed. Regenerative farming prioritises harmony with nature – optimising the capture of carbon by the soil, as well as encouraging the biodiversity and health of the land.

There are various definitions of regenerative farming, but most agree on the following core principles:

Least Disturbance - whether avoiding chemicals, using resources responsibly, or avoiding over-farming, regenerative farming practices focus on reducing the impact on the land as much as possible.

Increase Biodiversity - this can be done by reducing mono-crop farming, incorporating different plants, particularly local flora, and creating areas that encourage wildlife to flourish.

Soil Protection - rather than an extractive practice that strips the soil, regenerative farming practices include crop and livestock rotation, and planting in empty fields to combat soil run-off.

Location - Biodiversity and weather conditions will differ depending on where the farm is, and this should be accounted for in regenerative farming practices to ensure
the right crops and resources are used.

At Finisterre, we support our suppliers to move towards these holistic farming methods where possible. We are proud to be introducing lines in 2024 that have been produced in accordance with these lower impact farming practices.

Regenerative farming practices within the textile industry are relatively new. This means there is limited availability of this type of material, so it can be expensive and difficult to source. However, these regenerative practices can be initiated in the farming of any naturally grown fibre, such as linen and cotton, as well as animal fibres such as alpaca and sheep wool.