Walmart has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a voluntary, science-based sustainability program and traceability platform for U.S. cotton that sets quantifiable, verifiable goals and metrics.
The program collects field-level data across six sustainability metrics — land use, soil health, water management, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and fiber quality — which are aggregated and then verified by an independent third party.
As a member of the Trust Protocol, Walmart will gain access to aggregated, verifiable data on sustainability practices from U.S. cotton growers and will be able to track the movement of U.S. Cotton and Protocol cotton through its supply chain.
“At Walmart, we are committed to providing our customers with quality products that are not only affordable but also produced in a way that is responsible and sustainable,” said Jerome Del Porto, head of corporate sustainability at Walmart. “Joining the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is another step in our journey to continue driving meaningful change within our own supply chain and the industry at large.”
Established in 2020, the Trust Protocol provides brands and retailers like Walmart with assurances they’re sourcing more sustainably grown cotton. Other members include Amazon, Macy’s Inc., Levi’s, and Urban Outfitters.
“We welcome Walmart to the Trust Protocol, recognizing the reach and influence their membership will extend in advancing sustainable cotton sourcing practices,” said Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “This collaboration directly strengthens our mission to drive continuous improvement and foster greater transparency in the supply chain.”
Image courtesy U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
