Adidas Cleans Up Its Act

THE Greenpeace 'Dirty Laundry' report (click here fore more information) revealed commercial links between major clothing brands including Adidas, Nike and Puma and suppliers responsible for releasing toxic pollution into Chinese rivers. The campaign now appears to be having major impact with several major sports brands.

Both Nike and Puma have already publicly committed on the issue and today it has been announced that Adidas, the world's second largest sportswear brand, has committed to zero discharge of hazardous chemicals throughout its entire supply chain and across the entire lifecycle of its products, by 2020.

Yifang Li, Greenpeace East Asia Toxic Campaigner said: “Adidas' commitment to zero discharges shows it recognises that there are no 'safe limits' and that only total elimination of hazardous chemicals from its supply chain is acceptable. This is great news for our environment, our rivers and the millions of people in China and elsewhere who depend on waterways for their livelihoods.

"The road towards zero discharge is a long one and while Nike, Adidas and Puma are now competing and collaborating in the race towards a toxic-free future, it is urgent that they turn words into actions and provide concrete and ambitious implementation plans and begin making real changes on the ground.”

Adidas has promised to deliver a detailed plan within the next seven weeks. Greenpeace says it is also talking with other clothing brands including Lacoste, G-Star Raw, Uniqlo and Chinese sports brand Li Ning to stop industrial pollution.