Building on a successful first year, PhytoGen cottonseed brand will again team with Cotton Incorporated’s Blue Jeans Go Green denim recycling program for 2020. As before, PhytoGen will organize denim collection drives at industry events across the Cotton Belt to help promote cotton’s sustainability and reduce textile waste.
In early 2019, PhytoGen became the first cottonseed company to collaborate with the blue jeans program, an initiative that recycles denim garments into premium housing insulation and keeps denim out of landfills. The company collected 7,412 items in 2019.
“By teaming with PhytoGen, we are showcasing how the Blue Jeans Go Green program helps to close the loop on cotton sustainability,” Andrea Samber, co-director, Strategic Alliances at Cotton Incorporated, said in a news release. “It also engages consumers in the process and creates an opportunity to highlight the environmental gains the industry is making.”
Local FFA and 4-H chapters participated by collecting denim in their communities. PhytoGen presented $1,500 to the chapters donating the most denim items at each program drive. The winning chapters were Star City FFA (Arkansas), Olton FFA (Texas), Thomas County Middle FFA (Georgia) and La Paz 4-H (Arizona).
PhytoGen Brand Manager Derek Racca said the collaboration between the cottonseed company and the blue jeans program, combined with local FFA and 4-H chapter involvement, helped raise awareness of cotton and laid the foundation for greater success next year.
In 2020, PhytoGen will hold denim collection drives at the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, the Texas Cotton Ginners’ Show and the Desert Ag Conference. Prizes will be awarded to the winning FFA or 4-H chapter at each location. But anyone is welcome to participate and drop off denim during the three events.