Green Initiatives

e3 - A Revolutionary Sustainable Cotton Initiative

Certified e3 cotton is grown with care by cotton producers who strive to improve their sustainability in the production of high-quality upland cotton for apparel and home furnishings. This global brand from Bayer CropScience is backed with verification programs documenting the farms where quality cotton is produced with environmentally responsible, economically viable and socially equitable methods. The program starts on the farms growing Certified FiberMax^® or Authentic Stoneville^® cotton and extends into the supply chain as verified, branded e3 cotton for use in the production of retail goods.

Why e3 cotton?
Cotton produced from proven sustainable farming practices satisfies the current consumer demands for traceability to farms where production practices and profit do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs. e3 cotton is certified and traceable back to growers who agree to self-assessment and document their production to be sustainable in three ways:

equitable1 - Social sustainability in cotton farming includes considerations such as the working and living conditions of cotton growers and labourers. Socially equitable farming operations work to address these issues when possible.
economical2 - A truly sustainable farming operation must also be economically viable. This means the farm meets the individual economic needs of farmers, farm families and farm workers. Economically sustainable farms are consistently profitable from year-to-year and are financially competitive enterprises.
environmental3 - Conserving natural resources is a key aspect of sustainable farming. In the e3 cotton program, growers use a Fieldprint Calculator™ to document how management choices impact natural resources and operational efficiency compared to local averages. They can identify environmental and ecological conservation practices that can reduce the use of water, land and energy while maintaining productivity.

The e3 Cotton Program
Enrolment in the e3 cotton program is voluntary, but verified. Growers conduct a self-assessment of their farming operation using the Fieldprint Calculator. This tool documents areas for improvement as compared to local averages. In order to qualify as an e3 cotton supplier, growers must demonstrate a commitment to sustainable production by optimizing soil management, water usage and pesticide applications, while considering worker health and safety. Participating e3 cotton growers sign a sustainability agreement and are committed to continuous improvement in their production. An e3 cotton certification can follow the cotton from the farm through the supply chain to the consumer and back to the farm.

e3 Cotton Production
By documenting their e3 cotton production practices, growers support environmental stewardship and social equity in an economically sustainable manner. Sustainability in agricultural production is becoming an increasingly important factor for consumers and, as a result, the cotton industry is undergoing a self-assessment and transformation globally.

The e3 cotton program uses cotton grown in the U.S.A. exclusively from Certified FiberMax^® and Authentic Stoneville^® growers. These cotton brands are known to deliver the consistent level of quality demanded by the global textile industry and are traceable back to the fields where they were grown. Providing branded e3 cotton to the textile industry can directly connect retailers to the U.S. cotton growers who produce this superior fiber. It builds consumer confidence in the brands who deliver cotton goods verified as e3 cotton.