ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY:

What kind of Cotton do we use?

We are dedicated to going green and using only organic and pesticide-free cotton for all our bed sheets and pillow covers. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and on having as much of a positive impact that we can on the environment, as this earth is going to be inhabited by our children. We believe in sustainable development and are strictly against the use of any chemicals that harm the environment, animals, and humans. We use green technology and produce our goods in an eco-friendly environment, following all social norms set by the international textile community. We purchase raw materials only from GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) & Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified weaving and dyeing units, to protect mother Earth. At SLCM, We DO NOT use conventional cotton in any of our raw materials or products. 

GOTS Certification - The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. It is a textile production certification that limits the use of toxic bleaches, dyes, and other chemical inputs during the production process of textiles. GOTS certification means that our products meet the very highest standards.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification - This means that the fabric has been tested and is certified to be free from harmful levels of more than 100 substances known to be harmful to human health.

What is wrong with Conventional Cotton?

The production of conventional cotton causes a lot of damage to the environment and the people working closely with it. Conventional cotton has “earned” the title of being the dirtiest crop on earth. It consumes 16% of the world's insecticides and requires $2 Billion in pesticides each year. Pesticides and insecticides used in cotton production contaminate the soil we use to grow crops, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. The deaths of animals exposed to these contaminants are counted in the millions every year.

Moreover, Global organizations estimate thousands of people exposed to the chemicals used in non-organic cotton production die of cancer, poisoning, and miscarriages each year. Many also suffer from birth defects and other diseases such as asthma. The exposure to these toxic chemicals is taking its toll mostly in developing countries, such as India and Uzbekistan.

What can we do about this? What is the alternative?

Organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals, leaving the soil, air, and water free from contaminants that cause harm. Organic cotton produces around 46% less CO2e compared to conventional cotton. It also uses far less water to grow since organic cotton growers typically utilize rain far more than irrigation. On top of all that, organic cotton growers use beneficial insects to control unwanted pests instead of relying on harmful chemicals, thus encouraging biodiversity. It's a win-win for humanity and earth. It is also known that various skin allergies relate directly to the chemicals used in non-organic cotton farming. Many people with skin problems report a dramatic improvement in their skin condition once they switched to organic.

By choosing to buy organic cotton, we are enhancing the health of humans, animals, and natural resources around the world.

Supporting organic agriculture is also essential if we want to create improved working conditions for cotton farmers because farming organic cotton is more regulated, and therefore, fairly traded. Would you want the “dirtiest crop” next to your and your children's skin? Didn’t think so. Babies and young children are the most vulnerable to health issues related to pesticides. When you choose to use organic cotton you spare your kids from the exposure to these harmful substances and ensure a safe and healthy sleeping environment.

So there you have it. Organic cotton is not only better than conventional cotton, it is the future if we are serious about making big changes in the health of our families, our communities, and our planet. Organic cotton? Yes, please! Let us make this journey together towards a better, cleaner, and a greener Earth. 

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

We follow all the social norms set by the Indian Ministry of Textiles. Our factory is as per the standards set by ISO and our workers are the most valuable assets to our company. We believe that our production output is much better when our workers are happy and satisfied. The employment rates of women have always been lower than that of men in India. We, at SLCM, strongly support women empowerment and also believe that women should excel in every field as much as their male counterparts. Our country is working towards making this shift happen and we have been doing our part in this shift as every small change together creates a big change. Indian women are almost 50% of the Indian population and they directly as well as indirectly contribute to the economic parameters of the nation. Since ages, most of their economic contributions have not been accounted and their humble services have been taken for granted. It’s high time to recognize the role of women fraternity in the growth of an economy and take necessary steps to involve the rural uneducated females in the growth process simultaneously along with the urban uneducated as well as educated females.

At present, 55% of our employees are women. The women in our company work at all different levels of hierarchy - ranging from the sales manager to the packaging supervisor, from the trimming experts to the helpers in the stitching area, from the quality checker to the janitor, our workforce is fairly distributed at a 9:11 ratio (Men: Women).