Embodying the spirit of Amsterdam, the Dutch denim brand Scotch & Soda began in 1985 with a collection of men's clothing. What started as a small business has quickly grown into a chain with more than 150 stores and over 8,000 concessions worldwide including women's and children's collections. The apparel brand works with our suppliers in the design and sourcing phases to obtain the best alternatives to conventional fibers. To be able to offer each and every design or technique with responsible quality, takes time, research, and innovation. Therefore, it has developed a roadmap that will guide the transition to our ultimate goal of sourcing all the cotton we need from organic or recycled cotton sources by 2025. The following timeline sets out the percentage of organic and recycled cotton of the total cotton volume used each year.
Responsible Cotton Sourcing The advantages of organic cotton has led us to choose this option over conventional cotton. For cotton to be considered organic, it must be produced and certified according to specific requirements, i.e., it must be obtained from non-transgenic seeds grown on land where neither pesticides nor fertilizers have been used for at least three years. Its production involves less water consumption than conventional cotton and uses crop rotation to make better use of resources and obtain better soil quality. All its organic cotton is certified by external companies; the composition of the fabric is indicated both on the care label of each garment and in the product characteristics and care section of its website. When the brand claims that an item is made from organic cotton, the fiber content of the main material is between 95% and 100%. For blends made from organic cotton, the fiber content is indicated in the fabric composition on the care label, as well as the other fibers in the blend. The brand is a member of GOTS, the global standard for organic textiles, which includes compliance with specific environmental and social criteria throughout the supply chain. Recycled cotton reuses cotton remnants from the textile industry or discarded garments to create new cotton fibers. This circular cycle, as it uses existing resources, reduces the demand for new virgin fibers, which helps to keep textile waste destined for landfills within the clothing cycle. Recycled cotton is typically used in percentages of 20 %, as they are shorter fibers than virgin cotton and need to be blended with other fibers to maintain the quality and durability of certain garments, such as denim. The percentage of recycled cotton used in each garment is specified in the fabric composition of the garment. The Better Cotton Initiative is a global non-profit organization. Its aim is to improve cotton production conditions worldwide, both for the people involved and for the industry and the environment in which it is produced. Scotch & Soda has been supporting this organization since 2018, with the idea of helping to reduce the negative impact of mass cotton production. The cotton used by Better Cotton is not organic and cannot be identified on any product. This means that every time you buy a cotton garment from Scotch & Soda you are supporting Better Cotton and, in turn, farmers who make efficient use of water, look after the health of natural habitats, reduce the use of harmful chemicals and respect the rights and well-being of their workers.
Ethical and Sustainable Supply Chain Scotch & Soda designs its products with attention to detail, designing responsible clothing that starts with the materials and the people and producers who create the final garment. It’s a complex process that brings together expertise and craftsmanship in a series of stages that make up the so-called supply chain. It’s precise in selecting who it works work with, so the brand only works with factories and manufacturers where strict environmental policies and good working conditions are guaranteed. Scotch & Soda prides itself on these long-term relationships, some of which have existed for more than 20 years. These relationships have become trusted partners who are fundamental to Scotch & Soda's unique design and production process. Sustainable Packaging Given the rapid growth of e-commerce, the packaging is one of the big issues for consumers trying to live a more sustainable life, and brands and retailers are responding to this. Now, Scotch & Soda has announced a partnership with TIPA, a company that creates biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions. The use of TIPA bioplastic bags is part of the brand's "goal to move away from conventional plastic bags for all product categories by 2025, supporting the brand's sustainability mission to contribute to environmental protection." The initiative also includes a facility for consumers to drop off their used bags at the brand's stores for composting, starting with its two London stores, followed by key locations in Amsterdam, Paris and New York in 2022.