14 DAY TRIAL // Members and supporters of environmental group Greenpeace must surely be jumping for joy right about now, and it's all because of an announcement that leading brand Puma made just yesterday.
Thus, in a statement issued this past November 21, the brand promises that, in less than two months, it will cut all ties with PFCs, i.e. toxic chemicals that a Greenpeace report published back in May showed are present in its clothes and footwear.
What the heck are PFCs?
For those unaware, PFCs is short for polyfluorinated chemicals. Such compounds are added to clothes and shoes in order to make them water- and stain-resistant.
The problem with PFCs is that, although they are meant for clothes and footwear alone, they often find a way to get into the environment. This makes them a threat to wildlife, green group Greenpeace explains.
What's more, the organization argues that, as shown by several studies, these toxic compounds can even affect humans. Specifically, experiments have shown that they can cause developmental, immune, and hormonal issues.
Because of how dangerous PFCs can be, Greenpeace likes to refer to them as toxic little monsters. For years now, the organization has been doing its best to convince companies to ditch them. Apparently, its efforts are finally paying off.
Puma's plans for the immediate future
In the statement that it released this past Friday, sportswear brand Puma promises that it will see to it that PFCs are removed from its supply chain by January 1, 2015. Besides, it promises to share information concerning the ecological footprint of 80% of its global suppliers.
“We publicly commit to eliminating all long-chain PFCs across our global supply-chain by no later than 01 January 2015,” the German multinational sportswear brand writes.
“Puma will deliver public reporting of hazardous chemical use across our global supply-chain, starting with at least 80% of all 'wet processes' including China and other 'developing world' suppliers across our global supply-chain, by no later than 31 December 2014,” it adds.
Should things go according to plan, the clothes that Puma markets around the world should be completely PFCs-free by 2017. To make sure that it will achieve this goal, the company will implement a rigorous control system that will target all its suppliers.
Not at all surprisingly, Greenpeace was very happy to hear about Puma's commitment to rid its clothes of PFCs in such a short while. In a blogpost, the organization points out that “Puma’s agreement to ban PFCs sends an incredibly strong signal to other sports and outdoor brands that are heavy users of these chemicals: another way is possible. Detox.”
“PFCs are dirty, nasty little monsters used to make things like shoes, swimsuits, outdoor gear and clothing water and stain resistant. PFCs are everywhere and it’s time to stop using them,” it adds.
To learn more about PFCs and the dangers they pose, check out the Greenpeace video below.
