Strauss Joins US Cotton Trust Protocol for Responsible Sourcing

In a significant step towards responsible sourcing and sustainability, Strauss, a global leader in denim and casual wear, has officially joined the US Cotton Trust Protocol. The move highlights the brand’s commitment to ensuring its cotton supply chain is ethical, traceable, and environmentally friendly.

The Strauss US Cotton Trust Protocol membership places the brand among a growing list of global fashion companies that are shifting towards more transparent and sustainable raw material sourcing.

Let’s explore what this decision means for the fashion industry, cotton farming, and Strauss’s long-term sustainability goals.

What Is the US Cotton Trust Protocol?

The US Cotton Trust Protocol is a science-based program designed to bring measurable and verified goals to the cotton supply chain. It provides member brands and retailers with access to cotton that is responsibly grown and transparently sourced from U.S. farms.

Key goals of the Trust Protocol include:

• Reducing water and energy use in cotton farming
• Lowering greenhouse gas emissions
• Promoting soil health and biodiversity
• Ensuring ethical labor practices
• Offering traceability and supply chain transparency through data tools

By joining the program, Strauss will gain access to data-driven insights and verified cotton sourcing, helping the company meet its environmental and social responsibility benchmarks.

Why Did Strauss Join the Trust Protocol?

As sustainability becomes a top priority in global fashion, Strauss’s decision to join the US Cotton Trust Protocol aligns with its corporate social responsibility strategy. The brand aims to:

• Improve its cotton sourcing transparency
• Support U.S. growers who follow ethical and environmentally sound practices
• Reduce the overall carbon footprint of its supply chain
• Offer customers more sustainable apparel options

According to a statement from Strauss,

“Joining the US Cotton Trust Protocol reflects our belief that sustainability must start at the source. Cotton is central to our products, and it must be sourced responsibly.”

What This Means for Cotton Sourcing and Traceability

With this partnership, Strauss will now be able to trace cotton used in its garments back to responsible U.S. farms. The Trust Protocol’s Fieldprint Platform allows brands to evaluate the impact of cotton cultivation across metrics like water use, energy consumption, and soil quality.

This level of transparency is a game-changer in an industry often criticized for opaque supply chains.

By using Trust Protocol cotton, Strauss can now:

• Validate claims about environmental performance
• Share verified data with consumers and stakeholders
• Work closely with farms to improve sustainability further
• Minimize the risk of unethical practices such as forced labor in the supply chain

Fashion Industry Trends: Why This Matters

The fashion industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Cotton, while natural and renewable, is often associated with high water usage, chemical dependency, and labor concerns.

According to environmental studies, cotton cultivation accounts for:

• 16% of global insecticide use
• Up to 2,700 liters of water for a single shirt
• Significant soil degradation if not farmed responsibly

That’s why brands like Strauss joining the US Cotton Trust Protocol is seen as a positive shift—one that supports both people and the planet.

Who Else Is Part of the Cotton Trust Protocol?

Strauss now joins other global apparel giants like:

• Levi Strauss & Co.
• Gap Inc.
• PVH Corp. (Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein)
• Nike
• Walmart

This growing list of participants highlights the increasing importance of traceable, ethical sourcing in the textile industry. The Trust Protocol’s data-driven model gives brands a competitive advantage in the eyes of today’s eco-conscious consumers.

How This Supports US Cotton Farmers

The US Cotton Trust Protocol isn’t just beneficial for brands—it also supports American cotton growers by:

• Helping them adopt sustainable agricultural practices
• Giving them access to premium markets
• Rewarding transparency with higher demand from brands
• Equipping them with tools to improve yield and environmental performance

Strauss’s decision to source from these farms adds further credibility to the U.S. cotton industry, which already ranks among the most regulated and ethical cotton-producing systems globally.

What’s Next for Strauss?

By joining the US Cotton Trust Protocol, Strauss is expected to:

• Increase the percentage of Trust Protocol cotton in its supply by 2026
• Expand partnerships with certified mills and suppliers
• Release annual sustainability reports including verified cotton data
• Introduce more product lines labeled with sustainable sourcing tags

The brand has also committed to reducing its overall emissions and water footprint, and sourcing Trust Protocol cotton is a major step in achieving that goal.

Conclusion: Strauss Strengthens Sustainability with Cotton Trust Protocol Membership

The decision by Strauss to join the US Cotton Trust Protocol is more than a brand move—it’s a statement of intent. In an age where conscious consumerism is rising, traceable and responsibly sourced cotton will become the gold standard.

This partnership empowers Strauss to deliver on its promises of transparency, ethical sourcing, and environmental stewardship, while also contributing to a more sustainable global fashion ecosystem.

By starting from the source—the cotton farm—Strauss is showing that real change in fashion begins with the raw materials that make the clothes we wear.

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