#Raw Materials

2024-05-23

Cotton Incorporated celebrates the benefits of authentic cotton denim for 151st birthday of Blue Jeans

Cotton Incorporated encourages consumers to commemorate the 151st anniversary of the birth of blue jeans, an iconic symbol of American fashion and innovation. One way to participate is recycling cotton denim, and learning more about circularity of cotton and it uses beyond fashion. So, on this special occasion, we encourage readers to participate in our nationally recognized Blue Jeans Go Green ™ program.

On this day in 1873, the landscape of apparel was forever changed when the first blue jeans were patented. “The invention of blue jeans marked a pivotal moment in the history of fashion,” said Andrea Samber, Director of Brand Partnerships, Cotton Incorporated. “From their humble beginnings as functional work attire to becoming a global fashion staple, blue jeans have captured the imagination of people across generations and cultures.”

In addition to celebrating the rich history of blue jeans, Cotton Incorporated highlights the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program, which collects denim to be recycled in creative ways – from building efforts, pet bed inserts, thermal food packaging, and more. Since its inception, the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program has diverted millions of pounds of denim from landfills and provided insulation for over 2,000 homes across the United States. Over 5,200,000 pieces of denim and 2,630 tons have been recycled through the program.

Through the Blue Jeans Go Green™ initiative, we can extend the lifespan of denim while providing sustainable solutions for communities in need, said Samber. “It’s a testament to the enduring impact of blue jeans beyond the realm of fashion.”

Since 2006, over 100 brands and retailers have collaborated with the program.

The Blue Jeans Go Green™ program is just one of the ways consumers can close the loop on cotton sustainability. Denim recycling is possible because it’s made from cotton, which is a sustainable, natural fiber. Through resale, renewal and upcycling, consumers can help keep the lifecycle of cotton going.

Well-made cotton apparel is durable, making it a perfect match for the blossoming secondhand market where it can be reused repeatedly. Textiles made of 100% cotton can be recycled and may be used to create new products. After it can no longer be reused or recycled, cotton products can be discarded. Cotton can degrade in industrial compost, wastewater, salt water and freshwater environments, and it also degrades faster than manufactured cellulosic fibers like rayon and oil-based synthetics, according to Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton Circular Lifecycle.

https://www.cottonworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Cotton-Circularity_Final.pdf

As they celebrate the 151st birthday of blue jeans, Cotton Incorporated invites individuals to join them in supporting the Blue Jeans Go Green™ initiative. By recycling old denim, you can contribute to environmental sustainability and the community.

For more information about Cotton Incorporated, the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program, and how to get involved, please visit https://bluejeansgogreen.org/

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

New U.S. cotton study uses real-world grower data to reveal where fiber impacts occur

Cotton Incorporated has released a critically reviewed life cycle assessment (LCA) of U.S. cotton fiber production that examines how cotton’s environmental impacts are measured and where meaningful improvements can be made across the value chain. The new data, grounded in real‑world grower inputs, measures what drives U.S. cotton’s environmental footprint from field to gin.

Cotton Incorporated unveils reimagined CottonWorks platform

Cotton Incorporated today announced the launch of a reimagined CottonWorks™ website, an ambitious digital transformation designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s global textile professionals across every stage of the value chain. The new platform is more than a redesign – it is an intuitive, fashion-forward platform built to support compliance, product development, sourcing, and education across the textile industry.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Organic cotton at the crossroads: Ideology, evidence, and the road ahead

Organic cotton occupies one of the most contentious spaces in global agriculture. While praised by brands and consumers for its environmental ideals, it also faces persistent questions about yield stability, certification integrity, and scalability. The current edition of The ICAC Recorder cuts through the ideology to deliver a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of both sides of the debate.

Christian Wichert appointed Chief Executive Officer to lead next phase of growth

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in advanced biomaterials made from silk proteins, today announces the appointment of Christian Wichert as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 June. The appointment marks a pivotal moment in AMSilk’s journey, as the Company advances from development through scale-up to commercialization.

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.