Product
OUR MATERIALS
At COS, we are committed to sourcing quality materials that range from organic to responsible animal fibre standards, regenerative cotton and wool and increasing our share of recycled materials.
So far in 2024, 95%* of the base fabrics in our collection are more sustainably sourced or recycled. Our definition of more sustainably sourced materials has evolved from evaluating a material’s environmental factors compared to conventional alternatives to taking a more holistic approach that also includes social factors.
We highlight these materials in our collections so you can make considered choices when you shop.
Regenerative or organic
SO FAR IN 2024: 24.6%*
Compared to conventional cotton farming practices, Regenerative Organic Certified® cotton farms adopt traditional agricultural practices, such as pasture-based systems, organic bio inputs, cover cropping, intercropping, and low soil tillage to flourish the biodiversity and restore the health of soil by improving the organic content over time. Healthy soil traps carbon and sequesters it back into the soil. Holistic regenerative systems also extend to the humane treatment of animals and social equity through the provision of fair conditions and healthcare for all farmers and workers involved.
NATIVA ™ wool is sourced using regenerative practices which comply with animal welfare standards, including stress-free shearing in line with the Responsible Wool Standard by Textile Exchange. The NATIVA ™ Regenerative Agriculture program supports local communities and is designed to improve soil matter and microbiology.
Focusing on the key areas of regenerative agriculture, NATIVA™ equips farmers with training and resources to produce high-quality product, including enhanced vegetation, not using chemical fertilisers, reducing tillage and integrating natural fertilisers, such as animal manure.
Organic cotton is grown from seeds that have not been genetically modified. The cultivation process requires no synthetic fertilisers or chemical pesticide.
Organic hemp is grown without the use of artificial pesticides or fertilisers and contains no genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Organic silk comes from farms where the mulberry leaves that the silkworms consume are grown without the use of pesticides, insecticides or chemical fertilisers.
Responsible Animal Welfare Standards
SO FAR IN 2024: 17.7%*
Products certified to the Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS TE-00047206) owned by Textile Exchange contain alpaca fibre from farms independently certified to animal welfare and land-management requirements.
Products certified to the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS TE-00047206) owned by Textile Exchange contain mohair fibre from farms independently certified to animal welfare and land-management requirements.
Products certified to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS TE-00047206) owned by Textile Exchange contain wool fibre from farms independently certified to animal welfare and land-management requirements.
Products certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS TE-00047206) owned by Textile Exchange contain down or feathers from farms certified to animal-welfare requirements.
The Good Cashmere Standard® is owned by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) and sets out requirements on animal welfare, land management and farmers’ working conditions.
Forest & land management
SO FAR IN 2024: 39.2%*
We partner with organisations that invest in improving farming practices and forestry management. Here are some of the highlights.
TENCEL™ is a trademark of Lenzing AG. Best known for being naturally soft and smooth to the touch, lyocell is derived from wood pulp sourced from controlled or certified forests. The wood chips are then turned into fibres through a closed-loop process that recovers 99.8% of the solvent.
Known for its ultra-smooth hand feel and made from wood pulp sourced from certified forests, Eastman Naia™ cellulosic fibre is produced in a safe, closed-loop process where solvents are recycled back into the system for reuse. The manufacturing process is optimised, too, so it has a low tree-to-fibre carbon and water footprint for minimal impact.
Recycled
SO FAR IN 2024: 13.7%*
Recycled fabrics are made using the waste from both the pre- and post-consumer stage of a product’s life.
The pre-consumer stage happens before the product is made, gathering by-product from yarn spinning and cuttings from the production process. Post-consumer refers to the stage at the end of the product’s life. This could be unused clothing, textiles or even things like carpets, all of which can be made into new clothes. All the recycled materials we use are certified according to the Global Recycle Standard (GRS) or Recycled Claim Standard (RCS).
We also collect our own cutting waste and have recycled it to make new pieces from the cotton, wool and cashmere in our collections. Due to the complexity of this process, there aren’t many brands of our size doing this.
Originally derived from flax plants, recycled linen is made from yarn-spinning waste or fabric-cutting waste from the production process. The waste is collected, then recycled and spun into new yarn.
Recycled cotton is made by converting both pre- and post-consumer fabric into fibres that are then spun into new yarn.
Recycled cashmere is made from textile waste in production or post-consumer garments. The waste is mechanically recycled and spun into new yarn.
Recycled wool is made from yarn-spinning waste, yarn overstock, production-cutting waste and post-consumer garments, which are converted into new fibres that are then spun into a new yarn.
Recycled nylon can be sourced from pre- and post-consumer waste – even things like carpets can be made into new clothes.
This is made from recovering nylon waste, such as fishing nets, fabric scraps and carpet flooring. Through a regeneration and purification process, the nylon waste is recovered back to its original purity. This means ECONYL® regenerated nylon is exactly the same as nylon made from fossil fuels and can be recycled again and again, without losing its quality.
Polyester is a synthetic fibre, made from chemical compounds that come from fossil fuel-derived resources. Increasingly we are switching to recycled polyester, which is made from pre- and post-consumer waste such as recycled bottles. As part of our transition to building a circular ecosystem, our focus is on scaling textile-to-textile recycling for synthetics going forward.
Recycled polyester is known for its down-like properties, retaining heat, even when wet. Made from post-consumer waste, it provides a down-free alternative to conventional padding.
This modern form of insulation is used in our collection to insulate our coats, jackets and winter accessories. It’s made from pre-used down from consumer products, such as bedding and sleeping bags. The down feathers are extracted through a separation and sorting process. They are then washed and sterilised using a cleaning method free from toxic or harmful chemicals, so they are safe to use again. To make sure the down meets quality standards, it is tested throughout the production process.
Our sterling silver earrings, necklaces and rings are made by recycling silverware and former pieces of jewellery to create new designs.
Some of our jewellery is crafted from post-consumer recycled brass, giving a new life to previous designs – the versatile material can be recycled without losing any of its properties.
Through a repeated heating, cooling and shaping process, broken glass is recycled to create sculptural jewellery within our collection.
Crafted from scrap or post-consumer waste plastic from ex-display stands, optical lenses, water bottles and industrial products, recycled plastic is melted and reformed into new shapes to create pieces in our jewellery and sunglasses collections.
Naia™ Renew is produced from 60% wood pulp and 40% recycled waste material. This smart solution helps prevent many hard-to-recycle materials from going into a landfill.
This is a regenerated cellulose fibre, made from cotton linter – tiny cotton fibres that stick out of the cottonseed and are usually too small to spin. Cupro has a smooth hand feel and lustrous sheen that is considered by some as an alternative to silk.
REFIBRA™ is a trademark of Lenzing AG, which is made by mixing cotton scraps from pre- and post- consumer cotton textile waste with natural wood pulp. This is a type of technology that has been designed so recycled fibres can be used to make TENCEL™ Lyocell.
Recycled silk is made by gathering waste fabrics from the production process and transforming it into new yarns to be used again.
Conventional
SO FAR IN 2024: 4.8%*
We believe every piece should have a long lifespan. To make sure the materials in our collections meet our quality standards, we use conventional fabrics, such as leather for its durability and silk for its luxurious softness.
Most of the synthetics we use have been converted into recycled alternatives and we have introduced recycled silk as well. As part of the H&M Group, we are also pleased to announce our commitment to promoting responsible leather manufacturing practices worldwide as a member of the Leather Working Group (LWG). This includes increased due diligence on the issues of deforestation and animal welfare.
www.leatherworkinggroup.com
Natural vs synthetic
When choosing our fabrics at COS, we don’t just select them because they’re natural or organic, we look at how they will perform when our customers wear them, too. That’s why we need a balance between using natural fibres, such as cotton and wool, and man-made synthetics, such as elastane and polyester.
Synthetic fabrics often add very functional elements to a garment. For example, adding a small percentage of elastane to cotton jeans will give them a slight stretch – making them less rigid and more comfortable to wear. Or, blending polyamide with wool can help the piece last longer, especially if it’s a product designed to be worn repeatedly, like a winter coat.
We’re aware that blending natural and synthetic fibres makes them harder to break down and recycle into new fabrics. This is something we’re currently exploring with new partners and innovative technologies. However, synthetic fibres can add strength to a garment – meaning it can be worn more and live a longer life.
*Figures are updated twice a year.