Retail chain is the world's third largest consumer of organic cotton

The Organic Exchange is the leading independent, non-profit organisation mobilising the organic movement across the world.

The retailer's commitment to offering consumers an increasing number of organic cotton clothing options is in line with their Good business journey – a comprehensive strategy that addresses the issue of sustainable growth within the context of the changing social and environmental challenges facing South Africa and the planet.

Included in the plan is the intention to accelerate efforts to reduce the environmental impact of products and processes by introducing more textile items made with sustainable fibres such as organic cotton, organic wool, bamboo, hemp, recycled polyester and soya.

According to the Organic Exchange, conventional cotton is one of the most chemically intensive crops and consumes 25% of the insecticides and more than 10% of other pesticides used in the world. On the other hand, organic cotton is produced using only natural fertilisers, pesticides and phosphates. The resultant reduction in the use of potentially harmful pesticides and chemicals will be of significant benefit to farm workers, consumers, the environment and the eco system.

As part of the focus on the environment, over the next five years, the retailer plans to increase organic-content clothing sales to more than R1bn per annum.

Woolworths decision to offer South African consumers organic cotton options has a far-reaching positive impact on the organic cotton industry. By creating local demand for organic cotton, Woolworths is working hard to encourage South African farmers to embrace the expanding global organic cotton market. The Organic Exchange, Cotton SA supports this effort and Woolworths supply chain partners. As part of this commitment, the retailer will be launching a pilot organic cotton-growing program in South Africa in November 2007.

It has also shown its support for the worldwide move towards organic cotton by joining major global brands such as Nike, Marks & Spencer and Patagonia, Nordstrom and Timberland, as a key champion of the Organic Exchange.