We love cotton. It is soft on our skin, easy to care for, comfortable to wear all year round and “breathes”. It is also lightweight and absorbent, making it perfect for our hot and humid summer climate, as well as a layering piece in cooler months. The first thing that comes to mind when you think of the material is the staple in every closet, T-shirt. No matter your style, age or size, you probably have several hanging in your wardrobe right now.
The humble plant that grows the white, fluffy fiber is responsible for the employment of almost 7% of all labor in developing countries. Of all the textiles made in the world, cotton makes up half of them. As a global producer and retailer, MUJI understands the global reach of cotton as a plant, but also understands how mainstream cultivation methods are environmentally unsustainable. Sadly, only 1% of cotton is grown organically.
Organic farming does not use fertilizers, pesticides, or other toxic chemicals. It’s one of the easiest ways to move towards a more sustainable method of cultivation, mostly by helping maintain soil fertility and harvests chemical free cotton. Traditional cotton growing, unfortunately, jeopardizes the environment as well as the farmers themselves.
Additionally, organic cotton has a smaller carbon footprint because of less fuel and energy use. The absence of chemicals means that water contamination is no longer an issue, too. Clothing made from organic cotton is better for your skin, especially if you are sensitive or suffer from allergies. Ironically, it is also cheaper to produce, since the toxic chemicals are no longer an operational cost. However, the yield per planted area is about 70% compared to regular cotton cultivation, which means it cannot be mass-produced efficiently.
This is where MUJI can really make a difference with their campaign too, by planting two cotton seeds for every T-shirt, they can encourage farmers to move towards the more environmentally friendly organic cotton.
As a brand, MUJI, constantly makes consistent and long-term efforts towards practices that are friendly to the environment and people. The organic cotton used in MUJI products is grown by natural processes in a land that has not been subjected to the use of any agrochemicals and chemical fertilizers for over 3 years.
In a strategic move to improve cotton growing and manufacturing, they have begun an attempt to increase the production of extra-long staple cotton, which is one of the least produced organic cotton, by starting from the sowing of its seeds.
Types of raw cotton with a particularly long fiber length of 35 mm or more are called extra-long staple cotton and are said to be ideal materials that satisfy all the conditions of excellent touch feeling, toughness, and the anti-see-through property.
The product development staff members visited cotton farms in person and gradually increased the production of extra-long staple cotton while deepening their relationship with the farmers. The cotton variety has been used in some products such as broadcloth shirts since the 2019 spring/summer season.
By creating long-lasting relationships with the community of growers and providing them with the resources and motivation they need to grow more organic cotton, MUJI will be able to continue producing the high-quality and great value items we have come to expect and depend on.
Visit the MUJI stores in 2nd Avenue – The Avenues, Grand Avenue – The Avenues and Al Kout Mall or shop online at muji.com.kw. For more information, follow MUJI on Instagram @mujimiddleeast.
