Better Cotton Initiative Calls On EU To Champion Natural Fibres In Circular Economy Act
November 2025 – The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has submitted its official input on the European Commission’s forthcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA), urging policymakers to look beyond recycling and prioritise the role of sustainably sourced natural fibres.
While BCI supports the Act's goal to double the EU's circularity rate by 2030, it stresses that a genuine circular economy must integrate renewable materials, like sustainably grown cotton, alongside recycled synthetics.
BCI's position highlights that an exclusive focus on recycling synthetic materials is insufficient for creating a truly sustainable system.
The organisation argues that promoting the use of Sustainably Sourced Renewable Materials (SSRM) is essential to reduce the textile industry's dependence on fossil-based inputs and prevent the widespread issue of microplastic pollution stemming from synthetic fibres.
Furthermore, BCI underscores the social dimension of the circular economy. Emphasising natural fibres ensures a fair and inclusive transition for the millions of farmers and rural communities who are the primary producers of these materials.
By placing sustainably grown cotton and other natural fibres at the core of the CEA, the European Commission can support livelihoods and promote regenerative agricultural practices.
The Better Cotton Initiative is calling for a Circular Economy Act that fully embodies the principles of resource efficiency, inclusivity, and regeneration.
By championing both high-quality recycled inputs and sustainably sourced natural fibres, the EU can set a global standard for a comprehensive and equitable circular economy that benefits both people and the planet.
About Better Cotton Initiative
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is a global not-for-profit organisation and the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world.
BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the sector's future.
BCI aims to transform cotton production worldwide by developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.
