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Lidl to convert all store team uniforms to Fairtrade cotton

Lidl said the announcement comes as Fairtrade Fortnight gets under way which takes place between 21 February - 6 March.

Lidl GB has announced that it will be the first UK retailer to convert all its cotton staff uniforms to Fairtrade, the independent, third-party certification that partners with farmers and workers to negotiate better prices and working conditions.

The uniform range is being rolled out across all stores, with a commitment to purchase 330,000 shirts, trousers, polo tops and chinos, and will be worn by the retailer’s 22,000 store colleagues. This equates to a volume of 175 metric tonnes of Fairtrade certified cotton, benefiting farmers in India.

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Lidl said the announcement comes as Fairtrade Fortnight gets under way which takes place between 21 February – 6 March.

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Fairtrade works with cotton farmers to stop or reduce the usage of agrochemicals and supports them to adapt to changing climate patterns. Fairtrade cotton fields are rain-fed, reducing the region’s water footprint.

Lidl also said Fairtrade Standards protect cotton farmers’ health and safety and ban genetically modified cotton seeds and it encourages and empowers producers to protect the natural environment as an integral part of their farm management.

Amale Bunter, Lidl GB’s head of responsible sourcing and ethical trade, said: “Not only will this move significantly benefit the farmers who grow the cotton in our uniforms, but it will mean that our store colleagues will have access to uniforms made from high quality, sustainably sourced fabric which they can wear with great pride.

“This new development builds on our long-standing commitment to Fairtrade which sees Lidl GB sell over 100 different types of Fairtrade certified products every year, as well as being the UK’s largest retailer of Fairtrade cocoa – with 22% of the Fairtrade cocoa sold in the UK coming from Lidl GB.”

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