Trust in a Smarter Cotton Future

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® sets a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton.

It brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to sustainable cotton production and drives continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics.

Growers

The Trust Protocol enables participant growers to showcase their responsible sustainability practices and drive their commitment to continuous improvement.

/member-benefits/growers

Brands & Retailers

Membership in the Trust Protocol gives brands and retailers the critical assurances they need that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk.

Learn More

Mills & Manufacturers

As participants of the Trust Protocol, mills and manufacturers can showcase the sustainability credentials of the industry and ensure the future of U.S. cotton.

Merchants & Cooperatives

Cotton merchants and cooperatives can showcase the sustainable credentials of the industry and ensure the future of U.S. cotton.

Growers

The Trust Protocol enables participant growers to showcase their responsible sustainability practices and drive their commitment to continuous improvement.

Learn More

Brands & Retailers

Membership in the Trust Protocol gives brands and retailers the critical assurances they need to show that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk.

Learn More

Mills & Manufacturers

As participants of the Trust Protocol, mills and manufacturers can demonstrate the sustainability credentials of the industry and ensure the future of U.S. cotton.

Learn More

Merchants & Cooperatives

Cotton merchants and cooperatives can showcase the sustainable credentials of the industry and ensure the future of U.S. cotton.

What is it?

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® is Setting a New Standard for More Sustainably Grown Cotton

In a period of ever greater supply chain scrutiny and a growing demand for transparency and traceability, The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® sets a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton. Aligned with the U.N. Sustainability Goals, the Trust Protocol brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to sustainable cotton production and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics – land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency.

The Trust Protocol underpins and verifies U.S. cotton’s sustainability progress through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Choosing Trust Protocol cotton will give brands and retailers the critical assurances they need that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risks. Brands and retailers will gain access to U.S. cotton with sustainability credentials proven via Field to Market, measured via the Fieldprint® Calculator and verified with Control Union Certifications.

#TrustUSCotton

We want to showcase your sustainable farming practices

Over the past 35 years, U.S. cotton growers have made major strides to improve the environmental impact of growing cotton. Kicking off on Earth Day, we’d like to celebrate these farms and the work U.S. cotton producers put in each day. As the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol®, we are calling on U.S. cotton growers to submit your own pictures or video that you believe best represents all the hard work you do to grow your cotton sustainably. We will reshare some of our favorites on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram weekly, as well as feature them on our website at www.trustuscotton.org!

Follow these steps for the chance to be featured on the Trust Protocol’s social media pages and website:

Using your smartphone or tablet, send us a photo or video of your cotton operation that embodies your sustainable practices for growing cotton.
Please include a brief backstory of your photo or video and any references to your sustainability story.
Include the name of your farm and photographer (including usernames) so we can give you credit.

Stay connected with our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and follow our hashtag #TrustUSCotton!

Stay connected with our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and follow our hashtag #TrustUSCotton!

Improved Sustainability and Reduced Risk

Benefits for Members

By joining the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol®, members can be sure that they are demanding responsibly produced, quality fiber, and reducing environmental and social risk in their field-to-mill supply chain.

Aligned with the U.N. Sustainability Goals, the Trust Protocol brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to sustainable cotton production and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics – land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency.

Put simply: The Trust Protocol helps measure sustainability commitments for members, broader stakeholders, and to itself.