Today, (November 15) Boots has announced that it will switch its own brand cotton wool to GOT (Global Organic Textiles Standard) certified organic alternatives in its bid to help customers make simpler, more sustainable choices – at no extra cost. This move is the retailer's latest sustainability commitment after pledging to remove all wipes containing plastic fibres from its shelves by the end of 2022 and removing all unnecessary plastic from its Christmas gifting range.

Boots will switch 10 million units of cotton wool to be 100% organic this year

•  Non-organic cotton has been dubbed the 'world's dirtiest crop' as it accounts for 16% of global insecticide use2
• Selling over 10 million units of own brand cotton wool products each year, Boots is committed to sustainability and has switched to only sourcing GOTS Certified 100% organic cotton wool to sell with no price increase for customers
• GOTS certified organic cotton farmers grow other food crops alongside to feed themselves and their communities

According to WWF[1], current cotton production methods are environmentally unsustainable. Non-organic cotton has been dubbed the 'world's dirtiest crop' as it accounts for 16% of global insecticide use[2] – more than any other single crop. Traditional cotton production requires substantial amounts of water, so it depletes local water reserves, impacts and wildlife and affects the health of farmers.

 The GOTS certification means the cotton is farmed without the use of toxic, persistent pesticides or synthetic fertilisers, and in fact sustains the health of soils and the environment. This supports the farmers of cotton, allowing them to grow additional crops alongside cotton, like food, which they can use themselves or as a source of income.