Rip Curl Becomes Proud Member of the Better Cotton Initiative
07/09/2021

Rip Curl Becomes Proud Member of the Better Cotton Initiative

A long-term commitment to sustainable cotton.

Rip Curl is excited to announce a partnership with the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), the largest cotton sustainability program in the world. Together we are committed to improving cotton farming practices globally; making global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the future of the industry.

“The Better Cotton Initiative thinks globally and acts locally, working with farmers and communities to help make global cotton production more sustainable,” says Nichol Wylie, Rip Curl Group General Manager of Product. “From our inception, one of Rip Curl’s core company values has been Community and Environment. Becoming a member of BCI means that we can work within grassroots and local communities to support farmers in more sustainable farming practices. It’s a great fit for Rip Curl on our journey to offering a wider range of environmentally conscious materials within each product range.”

Better Cotton is sourced via a Mass Balance system, and whilst it is not physically traceable to end products, it allows BCI Farmers to benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in equivalent volumes to those we ‘source’. By supporting the Better Cotton Initiative, BCI farmers receive education and support to use water efficiently, care for the soil health and natural habitats, reduce the use of the most harmful chemicals, and respect workers’ rights and wellbeing.

Rip Curl has committed to sourcing 65% of our cotton as ‘more sustainable cotton’ by 2025. This includes Organic Cotton, Recycled Cotton and Cotton sourced as Better Cotton.

“Rip Curl is in the infancy of a long journey towards a more sustainable future,” continues Nichol. “As such, we wanted to set a realistic target that we are confident we will be able to achieve. Once we get there, we’re excited to then move forward and expand from that target.”