Get Your Hands On A Planet Money T-Shirt

In 2013, NPR's Planet Money team manufactured a T-shirt and documented its journey around the world. The team sold 25,000 shirts online and then set out to follow the process behind the creation of the shirt, from the farms where the cotton was grown to the factories where the shirts were sewn together. The Planet Money T-shirts were made of fabric developed by Jockey's textile experts and were based on a design pattern that the company uses for its T-shirt line. The design on the shirt features a squirrel holding a martini glass, referencing the phrase animal spirits made famous by economist John Maynard Keynes. Those interested in purchasing a Planet Money T-shirt can do so through Amazon.

The cotton harvest in Mississippi

In 2020, Mississippi experienced a reduction in cotton acreage due to excessive rainfall and unfavorable market conditions. The acreage planted with cotton decreased to 520,000 acres, a 26% decline from the previous year. Despite these challenges, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that 65% of the state's crop was in good or excellent condition, with only 8% in poor condition. This can be attributed to the efforts of cotton specialists like Brian Pieralisi, who mentioned that the rainy weather allowed for the development of robust root systems and effective weed management.

The following year, in 2023, Mississippi cotton growers faced a different set of challenges. High temperatures and drought conditions impacted the cotton crop, with some areas in south-central Mississippi suffering the most. Brian Pieralisi, the cotton specialist, noted that the irrigated cotton in these regions would still produce a decent crop, but the dryland cotton lacked the necessary moisture for yield. The severe drought and high heat affected approximately 14,000 acres of cotton, causing significant losses.

However, the story of the cotton harvest in Mississippi is not all negative. In 2024, Mississippi's major row crops, including cotton, faced intense summer heat. Despite this, cotton and soybeans emerged as the crops in the best shape. Darrin Dodds, the Extension cotton specialist, characterized the year as a roller coaster, with a great planting season followed by a dry and hot growing season. Many growers with irrigation systems maximized their use to mitigate the dry conditions. Record heat in early August raised concerns, but yields remained good in most areas.

Yarn spinning in Indonesia

Yarn spinning is a crucial step in the production of textiles and garments, including T-shirts. In the case of the Planet Money T-shirt, the yarn-spinning process took place in Indonesia, specifically at the Indorama spinning plant in Purwakarta. This step transformed raw American cotton into yarn, which was then used to create the T-shirts.

Indonesia has become a key player in the global T-shirt trade due to its lower wages compared to developed countries, while also offering essential advantages for high-tech factories, such as an educated workforce, reliable electricity, and a relatively stable government. This combination of factors makes Indonesia an attractive location for yarn spinning and other stages of garment production.

The yarn-spinning process involves several stages, starting with raw cotton that undergoes combing to create a soft, fluffy material. The next steps include pulling, twisting, and spinning the fibres to create yarn. This process requires precision and consistency to ensure the yarn meets specific standards for thickness, tenacity, twist, and other specifications.

Indonesia is home to several companies that specialise in yarn production, such as PT Kewalram Indonesia and PT. APAC INTI CORPORA (AIC). These companies invest in state-of-the-art equipment and technology to produce high-quality yarns that meet international standards. Their products cater to both domestic and international markets, supplying yarns to over 70 countries worldwide.

The yarn-spinning industry in Indonesia is a significant contributor to the global textile and apparel industry. By providing consistent quality and leveraging its favourable position in the global economy, Indonesia has established itself as a vital link in the supply chain for garments like the Planet Money T-shirt.

Garment workers in Bangladesh

In 2023, garment workers in Bangladesh again protested for higher wages, with workers and unions proposing a monthly minimum wage of 23,000 taka (approximately $208). The violent crackdown on these protests by the Bangladeshi police and military resulted in at least four garment workers being killed, hundreds more hospitalized or injured, and an estimated 115 to 200 workers imprisoned. Despite the risks, workers continued to demand a living wage, citing the high inflation and the weakening of the Bangladeshi taka against the US dollar.

The garment industry in Bangladesh employs 4.4 million people, mostly women, and contributes over 11% of the country's GDP. However, wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living, trapping workers in a cycle of debt and poverty. Experts argue that brands sourcing from Bangladesh need to adjust their purchasing practices and pay more for their orders to enable suppliers to cover the costs of wage increases.

The situation for garment workers in Bangladesh remains challenging, with a persistent struggle for decent wages and safe working conditions. The lack of union freedom and the repression of worker rights have further hindered their efforts to achieve better working conditions and pay.

Shipping containers

The idea of the shipping container was conceived by trucking company owner Malcolm McLean in the 1950s. He wanted to avoid traffic by putting his trucks onto ships. Eventually, he moved on to the more practical idea of detaching the boxes from the trucks and loading those onto ships instead. Cranes could then be used to move the containers from trucks to ships and back again, making it far easier to load and unload cargo.

The introduction of the shipping container greatly reduced shipping costs, allowing apparel companies to manage global supply chains. For example, the Planet Money T-shirt travelled from the U.S. to Indonesia, Bangladesh and Colombia, all for less than a dollar in shipping costs.

The Planet Money T-shirt design

The T-shirt was created as part of a project by the Planet Money team at NPR to explore the global journey of a simple cotton T-shirt, from the farms where the cotton is grown to the factories where the shirts are sewn together. The team manufactured 25,000 T-shirts and followed their journey around the world, from Mississippi to Indonesia, Bangladesh, Colombia, and back to the U.S.

The project aimed to uncover the hidden world behind the clothing sold in the United States and involved a team of 10 reporters across 3 continents and 1 archipelago. It took years of planning and months of production to bring the T-shirts to life and involved various suppliers and manufacturers.

The Planet Money T-shirts are made of fabric developed by Jockey's textile experts and are based on a design pattern that Jockey uses for its own T-shirt line. Jockey introduced the Planet Money team to their suppliers in Bangladesh and Colombia, who agreed to assemble the shirts. Jockey designers also helped pick out the colours for the T-shirts.

Frequently asked questions