Category Archives: Ethical & Sustainable Garment Certification

What is Cotton in Conversion?

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Cotton in conversion or transitional cotton, is cotton which is on a journey to being organic.

Organic cotton is grown under strict regulations, such as no use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms, which allows it to be certified as organic.

Selvedge of organic fabric

Organic cotton must be grown on land which is clear of these chemicals for usually 3 years.  Historically, this meant that farmers couldn’t use the chemicals when growing cotton, for 3 years, but would only be able to charge for standard cotton prices.  Cotton in conversion is a bridge which allows farmers to charge an intermediate price while they are converting from conventional farming to organic farming. 

The demand for organic cotton fibres in the clothing industry is rapidly growing so the conversion process is essential for meeting the future demands.

If you would like more information on organic clothing please contact us here

Buy Once, Buy Well

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Over the last 50 years in the UK, buying habits have dramatically changed.  Buying an item of clothing, furniture or homeware used to be after much deliberation, something that was researched, considered and saved up for. 

For many reasons this changed, possibly with the introduction of credit which enabled instant gratification and the introduction of mass produced cheaper products. This meant that the general population could buy new things without much thought or consideration.  Often, once the initial excitement is over; and maybe the fashion has moved on, this will be discarded and replaced with the next latest product.

Waste is a huge problem for the world, and one which has been created largely by this shift in purchasing.  Educating people in the wisdom and satisfaction of saving up, considered purchases for a better quality, longer lasting product is one of the ways we can help to reverse the trend.

Have a look at our range of ethical uniform and workwear click here

Men’s Jacket Made with Recycled Fibres

Ethical Uniform in 2021

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Over the last two years, particularly through the pandemic, there has been an uplift in the demand for ethical uniform and also an increase in the ranges that are on offer from suppliers. 

Fairtrade organic polo shirts with buttons made from waste cotton

After the first lockdown, Fairtrade organic products sales dramatically grew, this was followed by a demand for British manufactured goods.  We believe this was driven by a number of factors.

  • Lockdowns prompted people to look to buy from their local businesses and manufacturers and gave them time to engage with their local community. 
  • The environmental crisis which has recently come to the forefront due to the increase in natural disasters which affect real people and the huge uprising of extinction rebellion just before the Coronavirus outbreak. 
  • The implementation of Brexit which has caused people to look locally for suppliers to avoid import duties and taxes.

During this period suppliers have been launching new ranges which, some of them are making their standard products organic, WRAP certified. Then there are whole new specialised products such as hi vis jackets and hi vis polo shirts, performance sports t-shirts, soft shell jackets and fleece jackets made from recycled polyester.

These products are completely new to market and give the opportunity for companies who need safety or specialist work wear, to make ethical choices which were not possible before.

For more information please call 01908 511051 or email sales@cottonroots.co.uk

Your Brand

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Over the past few months the world has been turned upside down in a way that we have never seen before in our lifetime.  During this time the business world has seen winners and losers and will continue to do so over the coming years. 

At Impact Trading and Cotton Roots we have seen this as a time for change and reflection.  It has helped us look at new opportunities and ways to grow and one thing that is definitely clear is that British and ethical manufacturing is becoming more and more important to our customers. 

This has paved the way for us to help new ethically led fashion brands start up in an easy and cost effective way by introducing the ‘Your Brand’ section to our Cotton Roots website. 

A catalogue of organic cotton and recycled fabric unbranded stock garments that can be branded with the customer’s own label, embroidery and print. 

Each garment is priced to include the professional sewing in of a label, this can either be supplied by us or by the customer.  They can then opt to add on embroidery or print to customise the garment. Orders in the ‘My Brand’ range can start from as little as 50 mixed garments which makes it a low cost start up investment.

If you would like to browse the range of ethical clothing in the range please visit our website, if you would like more information or a quote please contact us on 01908 511051 or email emily@cottonroots.co.uk.

Feel Good Accessories

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At Impact Trading and Cotton Roots we have a huge range of eco-friendly, Fairtrade, sustainable and recycled clothing which organisations and businesses buy from us and often brand.  As well as clothing we also offer a range of accessories which have ethical certifications. 

Recycled caps and bags which are made from organic or Fairtrade cotton. We also have options for hat, scarfs and bath towels, which come in Fairtrade and organic options. Lanyards made from 100% bamboo and dyed with water-based inks which are comfortable, strong, durable and naturally antibacterial.

All these items can be branded with print or embroidery to fit nicely in to your organisation or business as well as giving you the feel good factor.

For more information and quotes on these please contact us at sales@cottonroots.co.uk

A Sweetener for You

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Our new organic, Fairtrade clothing is a brilliant addition to our ethical range and we wanted to tell you more about it’s story. 

Fairtrade Organic T Shirts available from www.cottonroots.co.uk

Cotton is grown in hot countries such as India and China and is susceptible to a wide range of insect pests, these are usually controlled with a range of chemical pesticides.

Our organic cotton clothing has a whole new approach to this problem.  The farmers spray the cotton with a sugar water solution which attracts the ants.  Ants love to eat the sugar on the cotton plants and so they defend it from pest attacks.  Happy ants, pest free cotton. 

The Fairtrade organic clothing we sell is made in India and the cotton is grown there, it is picked by hand so using natural pesticides means that the farmers and pickers are also healthy.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2019

Ethical & Sustainable Garment Certification, Fairtrade Clothing, Organic stuff, Organisations Wearing Fairtrade

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from 25th Feb – 10th March 2019

Fairtrade fortnight is run for two weeks each year when campaigners, businesses, schools and groups show their support for the farmers and workers who grow our food, crops and manufacture our clothes in developing countries, people who live in some of the poorest countries in the world and who are often exploited and badly paid.

At Impact Trading and Cotton Roots we supply many businesses and groups with Fairtrade Organic clothing and have a wide range of colours in t shirts, polos, sweatshirts, hoodies as well as children’s clothing. 

We also supply beautiful heavyweight Fairtrade, Organic cotton Aprons. 

All of these products can be printed and embroidered with your branding or supplied plain.

For more information please visit:

www.cottonroots.co.uk
www.impacttrading.co.uk

New Fairtrade, Organic range at Cotton Roots

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We are really excited to announce that we now have a whole new range of Fairtrade Organic products available online from Cotton Roots just in time for Fairtrade Fortnight.

Not only are they Fairtrade and Organic products but there are lots of other great things about them.   Their buttons are made using waste cotton which is compressed and coloured to match the garments. The swing tags are also made from the waste cotton made into paper.

The range consists of t shirts, long and short sleeve in a selection of styles, polo shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and zipped hoodies.  Most of the garments come in men’s, ladies as well as unisex fit and most have a wide range of colours to choose.

We also have a children’s range with t shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, which come in a bright selection of colours.

If there is something you need which isn’t on our website please get in touch with us as we have other products available in the range.

sales@cottonroots.co.uk
01908 511051