For many, sustainability is a fad. We, however, have been committed to CO2-neutral production for years, which lowers the burden on the climate, as well as to the use of renewable and recyclable raw materials. We have also obtained our electricity from renewable energy sources for many years.

Ideally, we would use only organic raw materials that conserve resources as much as possible. At the same time, we of course have to meet our own very high standards. We are constantly working towards combining sustainability and the quality that Paradies is famous for.

Likewise, when it comes to choosing suppliers, we pay attention to both high quality and sustainability. We support them globally in their initiatives for environmentally-friendly production and healthy, socially fair employment conditions.

We regularly inspect the local standards and conditions to ensure they meet requirements. We want our customers to know that Paradies cares. This year, again, we visited our suppliers.

The first stop on the journey brought us to our suppliers in Egypt. In 1991, an initiative launched by cotton farmers here achieved a major success: “A ban on pesticides in cotton production.”

We had been considering the idea of visiting the cotton farmers in Egypt since the start of the year. As we already use a high proportion of organic cotton fabric in our products, we wanted to experience, feel and better understand what organic cotton really means.

On our trip, we visited two cotton fields in the first harvest period, during which 85–90% of the cotton is picked. The last of the cotton is then harvested two weeks later.

For six years, both fields have been biodynamically farmed and they are monitored twice a year by the Control Union. From sowing seeds through to harvest time, the organic farmers regularly treat the land with organic fertiliser, which consists of a mixture of plants that grow near the fields. As soon as a pest infestation is detected, the pests are driven away by spraying the area with natural means of crop protection.

2,000 fair-trade-certified farms belong to the large family-run company which we visited in India. The entire village came out to meet the Paradies representatives and gave us an exceptionally warm welcome: Our hosts painted a red dot on our foreheads, into which a grain of rice was pressed – presumably a good luck charm. And there was a piece of sugar to suck on. We were given chains made from the interlinked heads of cotton flowers and a turban as gifts! We also brought gifts in the form of head covering: Caps to protect the farmers against the sun. It made for a nice picture – the Europeans with turbans on their heads and the Indian cotton producers with caps from the West.

Getting to know each other, expanding horizons – and appreciating good work
The farmers were willing to tell us about their work, and were also interested in hearing about the use to which their product is put. We were happy to answer all their questions and appreciated the important, valuable work they do with regard to organic cotton.

Organic cotton makes girls smart
The farmers sell the organic cotton for a higher price. This allows the families to invest in, among other things, their girls’ education. A group of school girls told us about their future plans: They want to study to become doctors or teachers. And maybe also start a company. The farmers themselves also benefit from on-going training, in accordance with the wishes of the purchaser of the cotton – a ginnery. We saw training posters which showed us how scientifically the entire farming operation is organised.

The seeds of good health – ginnery and oil press under one roof
We visited an Indian cotton mill which does an exemplary job of combining economic efficiency and sustainability. When cotton fibres are separated from the seeds, the kernel is usually left over as residual waste. Here, however, the kernels are used as raw material from which cottonseed oil is extracted. The oil is used in the food industry, while the extracted residue – the oil cake – is sold as concentrated feed for animals.

The textile industry is Pakistan’s most important economic sector, accounting for more than half of the country’s exports. We visited one of the country’s many hundreds of weaving mills – and it was a very special one, as the management are committed to making the company increasingly “green”.

The harvested cotton is turned into fabric on the more than 100 weaving machines. When the actual weaving process is complete, additional steps are undertaken, including processing, singeing, washing, dying and pressing. The products are also given the desired finish, for example using emery or aloe vera for extra softness.

The company wants to reduce its carbon footprint and produce in an increasingly sustainable manner. One important step involves a new facility for treating waste water. In Europe this may be something we take for granted, but in India and Pakistan it is still highly unusual. The technology precleans and filters up to 1.5 million litres of water every day, which is extremely important for the protection of both humans and the environment in this area in which water is relatively scarce.

The management is proud to report that, “We are now ready to be certified with, for example, the European Eco Flower eco-label.” The EU introduced this label in 1992 as a distinction for companies that show serious commitment to the environment. Companies which are awarded the label are officially recognised as among the most environmentally friendly in their region.

To date, we have transitioned to Paradies Greentex^® organic cotton from certified organic farming for around 90% of the fabric used in our range of bedclothes.

We always aim to use organic material or resource-saving alternatives in our products.

At Paradies we do not merely equate “sustainability” with “product”: The concept is deeply embedded in the way the entire company functions. We do a lot of things right, and though we are not yet perfect.

We keep working towards that goal. In good conscience.