Budget supermarket chain Aldi is launching its first range of T-shirts
made from Fairtrade certified cotton for the UK market as part of its
ongoing commitment to sustainable sourcing.
The range of women’s and men’s T-shirts launched in Aldi stores across
the UK to mark Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until March 13, and costs
from 3.99 pounds as part of the supermarket chain’s spring fashion
collection.
The newly certified cotton range builds on existing Fairtrade
commitments made by Aldi in 2011 to convert a range of bananas, coffee,
tea, flowers and chocolate to Fairtrade in a programme that rolled out to
other Fairtrade markets such as Germany, the Netherlands and
Switzerland.
Commenting on the launch, Aldi’s joint managing director for corporate
buying, Jonathan Neale, said: “We’re proud to offer clothing that supports
the Fairtrade project, which brings life-changing development to
communities by improving working and living conditions, education and
health care.”
The announcement was welcomed by the Fairtrade Foundation, which stated
that Fairtrade cotton has grown in value by 28 percent in the last year and
that Aldi’s commitment will “further contribute” towards improving farmer’s
livelihoods.
Euan Venters, the Fairtrade Foundation’s commercial director, added:
“Congratulations to Aldi for fashioning a brighter future for Fairtrade
cotton farmers in India. Buying clothes made with Fairtrade cotton means we
help the fashion business and at the same time help low-income cotton
farmers around the world.
“Fairtrade supports farmers’ to have more control of their future and
more secure lives for themselves and their communities.”
This announcement to add Fairtrade certified cotton into its fashion
ranges follows its pledge last year to ban all hazardous chemicals from its
textile and shoe production by 2020.
Images: Aldi Fairtrade Certified Cotton T-shirts