Timberland, Adidas Follow Nike’s Lead, Ban Use of Amazon Leather

August 12, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Feeling the pressure from Greenpeace activists, Timberland and Adidas have agreed to cease using leather imported from cattle raised on former Amazon rainforest lands.

Previously, Greenpeace had succeeded in getting Nike to change its practices. At the time, the activist group said its next targets would be Timberland, Clarks, Adidas and Reebok.

Since then, the group has added to its sights other firms that use or sell Amazon leather, including Wal-Mart, Boss, Gucci, Kraft, Louis Vuitton, Eagle Ottawa (supplier of car interiors to major car companies), Geox, Hilfiger, IKEA and Prada.

The push against leather companies follows the release of a report, “Slaughtering the Amazon.” The report details how much of the leather used around the world comes from cattle that were grazed on former Amazon rainforest lands, land that was cleared specifically to raise cattle. Greenpeace says Brazil’s cattle industry is reponsible for 80 percent of the deforestation.

Timberland has put a moratorium on purchases of leather from the region, according to a press release.

Adidas, too, has unveiled a tough set of supplier standards to address the Greenpeace protests, reports JustStyle.

Greenpeace scored a publicity coup July 28 when it tagged the HP headquarters roof with giant letters spelling out “Hazardous Products.” The activist group has been after computer companies to cease using polyvinyl chloride and brominated flame retardants. HP had originally planned to eliminate the chemicals this year, but recently had backtracked, saying it would delay the move until 2011 because it had not found suitable alternatives to the chemicals.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.

Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Stevenson on News Corp. Taps Hara for Energy Efficiency, Environmental Management
"All of us should think of ways to save energy now. It is not a myth,..."

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

Environmental Leader