Page 12 - Designing Ways 239

TRADE
WINDS

Mungo

We are at a unique stage in our history.
Never before have we had such an
awareness of what we are doing to the
planet, and never before have we had the
power to do something about that… the
future of humanity and indeed, all life
on earth, now depends on us. - David
Attenborough.
From David Attenborough to world
leaders, we are hearing that the next
decade will determine our ability to soil is preserved for future generations. the company-wide commitment to
sustain life on Earth. Creating a quality Using up to 90% less water, and relying on convert our entire cotton product range
product is not enough. more circular and regenerative systems, to organic over the next couple of years.
Quality is no longer a product of organic cotton presents a future for more In making this decision, we hope to prove
function or form. It needs to reach sustainable textile production. to South African farmers, manufacturers,
beyond enhancing the life of its user. A Alarmingly, only 1% of global retailers, and the general public that there
quality product now needs to improve the cotton production is organic. But as is a demand for textiles made with organic
condition of our planet. manufacturers and consumers we cotton.
recognise our responsibility to shift the
Let’s start with cotton demand. Getting Certified
Conventionally grown cotton is one In 2020, amidst a global pandemic, we
of the least sustainable crops on earth. Going Organic became the first GOTS-certified mill in
A waterthirsty crop, GMO cotton makes In 2018 we embarked on a journey to South Africa.
use of pesticides and insecticides in its find a supplier of organic cotton. This took The Global Organic Textile Standard
production, which contaminate the soil, us to Turkey where we met Egedeniz - the (GOTS) is the world-leading textile
the air we breathe and the water we drink. first Turkish cotton farmers to achieve processing standard for organic fibres. It
In contrast, the production of organic GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) defines the highest level of environmental
cotton requires no pesticides or synthetic certification. We made a video about it and social criteria, from harvesting,
fertilizers. which you can watch here. to socially responsible manufacturing,
Relying on the wisdom of traditional In 2019 we launched our first 100% providing a credible assurance along the
farming, the health of both the farmers and organic towel, The Aegean, and made entire supply chain.
Over a three-day period, each division
of the Mungo Mill in Plettenberg Bay was
carefully scrutinised by Control Union -
an independent certification body. We
were monitored from waste disposal to
yarn lots, energy consumption, labour
practices and health and safety.
Compliance was met across the board,
from our design and production, right
through to our weaving, CMT, finishing,
laundry, wholesale and retail departments.

More than just a towel
The Aegean is South Africa’s first 100%
GOTS-certified organic towel.
Designed, woven and made by us, at the
Mungo Mill in Plettenberg Bay.
More organic products to follow. Soon.
dw
www.mungo.co.za

12 Issue 239 • dw