Sustainability January 07, 2026
Next Level Apparel Becomes U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Member
Through the membership, the Counselor Top 40 supplier will be better able to track its cotton supply chain from fiber to finished apparel.
Key Takeaways
• Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, adding third-party verification and digital traceability to its U.S. cotton sourcing practices.
• The Counselor Top 40 supplier says the membership supports its broader focus on supply chain transparency and responsible sourcing.
Counselor Top 40 supplier Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a membership the Torrance, CA-based company says underscores its dedication to responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency.
Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) has become a member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
Through the program, Next Level Apparel’s cotton sourcing is evaluated against measurable indicators, such as soil health, water use, nutrient management and greenhouse gas emissions. A digitally enabled tracking system provides verified visibility across the supply chain, giving the company insight into cotton sourcing from fiber to finished apparel.
“Responsible sourcing has always been central to Next Level Apparel’s business,” said Next Level CEO Brett Bjorkman. “By participating in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, we can independently verify the sustainability of the cotton we source and ensure our products reflect our commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.”
The Trust Protocol is the voluntary field-level sustainability program and traceability platform for U.S. Cotton. The program drives continuous improvement across key sustainability indicators such as land use, soil health, water management, greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. The Trust Protocol also provides independently verified data and transparency through its supply chain, supporting brands and retailers in their journey toward more sustainable sourcing.
“We welcome Next Level Apparel to the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, which will help further strengthen our collective commitment to transparent and sustainable sourcing,” said Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Their proactive stance on responsible sourcing, particularly their focus on U.S. cotton and supply chain integrity, aligns closely with our mission. This membership will equip Next Level Apparel with the data-driven insights needed to help meet the increasing global demand for sustainably produced cotton in high-performance apparel.”
In addition to membership with the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, Next Level Apparel is a participating member of the Fair Labor Association and has partnered with companies including Oritain, which uses forensic and data science to verify the origin of products and raw materials, and supply chain traceability software TrusTrace.
Traceability and supply chain transparency have become increasingly important parts of brands’ sustainability strategies, helping to build trust and avoid greenwashing. Other U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol members include Counselor Top 40 suppliers SanMar (asi/84863) and Gildan (asi/56842).
Next Level Apparel ranks seventh on Counselor’s most recent list of the top suppliers in the industry, with 2024 North American promotional products revenue of $282 million.
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