Kotn
brand rating & evaluation
overall rating:
Conscious
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The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. Below are a few factors influencing this brand's score:
certifications:
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overview
sustainability
non-toxic
social responsibility
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about
Kotn is a Canadian clothing brand that offers sustainably sourced and ethically produced apparel. The company is known for its focus on Egyptian cotton.
highlights
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sustainability
score:
coming
details:
Kotn’s sustainability practices center on the use of Egyptian cotton, which is grown using less water compared to conventional cotton, reducing environmental impact. The brand emphasizes that they work directly with smallholder farmers in Egypt, ensuring traceability and responsible sourcing. Kotn also invests in regenerative agricultural practices and actively supports farmers to transition to more sustainable farming methods.
Their Certified B Corporation status further verifies their commitment to high environmental and social standards. Packaging is biodegradable or fully recyclable, aligning with their sustainable mission. However, they lack certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for organic cotton, leaving room for improvement. More transparency on carbon emissions and water usage would enhance their sustainability profile.
non-toxic
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coming
details:
Kotn’s apparel is made from 100% Egyptian cotton, which is naturally biodegradable and free from synthetic fibers. While the company does not use toxic dyes or harmful chemicals in its production processes, they do not have any certifications for non-toxic textiles or formal declarations on the use of organic cotton.
The lack of certifications like OEKO-TEX or Bluesign leaves some uncertainty regarding their dyeing and treatment processes. Without clear third-party validation, it's difficult to assess whether Kotn's materials are entirely free from toxins that could affect human health.
social responsibility
score:
coming
details:
Kotn’s Certified B Corporation status confirms its dedication to high social responsibility standards. The brand works directly with smallholder farmers in Egypt, ensuring fair wages and ethical working conditions. By cutting out middlemen, Kotn can pay farmers more while also funding schools in rural Egyptian communities, demonstrating a commitment to improving the social infrastructure where they operate.
While Kotn has made significant strides in social responsibility, more third-party verification of their labor practices through certifications like Fair Trade or WRAP could further solidify their standing in this area.
