Clothing Retailer H&M Boosts Organic Cotton Content

When you’re on a really tight budget and are sick of fruitlessly picking through thrift store racks, finding affordable organic clothing can be tough if not impossible. In such a scenario, it can be tough to pass up $6 t-shirts from places like Old Navy, until you really think about the pesticides and questionable labor practices – but not all “affordable” clothing chains are alike. Swedish retailer H&M, which is known for offering up-to-the-minute fashion at low prices, is getting in on the organic cotton game.

From Green Biz:

Since H&M first started slipping organic cotton into its products in 2004 it has quickly ramped up the amount of organic cotton in its offerings, and this year the clothing retailer plans to use 50 percent more organic cotton than last year.

In 2008 the company used about 3,000 tonnes (about 6.6 million pounds) of organic cotton, putting its goal for this year around at least 4,500 tonnes (almost 10 million pounds).

H&M took its first tentative steps into using organic cotton in 2004, using 5 tonnes (11,000 pounds) in children’s clothes, an amount that represented about 5 percent of the material in the clothes. The items were not labeled as containing organic cotton.

In 2007, H&M began releasing items made from 100% organic cotton as well as some that are a 50/50 blend of organic and conventionally grown cotton. This year, H&M also plans to integrate other alternative materials into its line, including polyester made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled polyester, as well as recycled cotton.

While H&M’s entire line isn’t organic (and I don’t know anything about their labor practices), it’s really encouraging to see a major retailer that caters to the non-green general public put some thought and effort into sustainability. Though these steps may not be enough to win over hardcore greenies, they’re a great way to introduce ecologically conscious clothing to the masses.

Link [Flickr user reiner.kraft

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