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In this episode, Head of Knowledge Exchange at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion Monica Buchan-Ng speaks with PUMA’s Chief Sourcing Officer, Anne-Laure Descours about factory worker’s working conditions in the textile industry. They also discuss what progress has been made since the tragic incident at Rana Plaza ten years ago.
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PUMA has ten target areas, each with a set of goals, that we are striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on the target area of Health and Safety.Ensuring safe working conditions for our own employees and hundreds of thousands of indirect employees at our manufacturing partners is an ethical imperative, but also makes good business sense.
What it actually means: A safe workplace is a top priority at PUMA and we continuously carry out building safety inspections among high-risk factories in our supply chain. In 2021 we were able to conduct the structural/fire/electrical safety inspection at three suppliers from Pakistan and India. At the headquarters level, we operate an occupational health and safety committee, which includes a specialised labour physician, a health and safety technician and employee representatives.
Goal 1: Zero fatal accidents (PUMA and suppliers)
In 2022 we recorded two factory employee deaths resulting from work-related accidents in Bangladesh in two different factories. Both factories paid the legal compensation to the worker's family. PUMA collaborated with Better Work Bangladesh for joint monitoring and regular follow up on the actions taken to prevent future occurrence of such accidents. We deeply regret these tragic accidents.
Goal 2: Reduce accident rate to 0.5 (PUMA and suppliers)
As we believe that the health and safety of the people working for PUMA and in PUMA production always come first, we will continue to work with our own entities and suppliers to avoid disease and accidents.
Goal 3: Building safety policy operational in all high-risk countries
From 2015 to the end of 2022, our Building Safety Assessment Program covered Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
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Malaysian-based eco-conscious Earth Day Ambassador Melissa Tan discusses how fashion’s thirst for water is impacting our changing climate with Kurt Kipka from the Apparel Impact Institute. Learn about the ins and outs of how much water goes into making our clothes and shoes and how the industry is taking steps to ensure less draughts and water scarcity.
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PUMA has ten target areas, each with a set of goals, that we are striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on the target area of Water and Air. Water is really a vital ingredient used all the way through the production of what we wear. As well as being used to wash raw cotton, it’s soaked in dye using a lot of water and then washed clean. It’s also soaked in water-based chemical solutions. Water is also used in factory cooling systems, humidification systems that reduce static during weaving, the steam presses used to finish a garment and more.
What it actually means: Since 2015 we have increased the number of wastewater tests from 33 to 147 factories to ensure that hazardous chemicals are not being poured into and contaminating natural bodies of water, like lakes and oceans. This means that factories have efficient wastewater treatment plants in place.
Goal 1: 90% compliance with ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines94% of all factories with wet-processing facilities* (156 factories have wet processes) have been covered by tests, and tests show that all these factories have at least 90% compliance with the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines (foundational level).*Wet processing is the stage where raw materials (like cotton) are treated with colourants and/or chemicals.
Goal 2: 15% water reduction per pair or piece based on 2020 baselineWe have worked with our suppliers to reduce the amount of water being used during the making of a garment or pair of sneakers by 15%.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
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Puuttuva jakso?
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US based environmental justice advocate, Diandra Marizet interviews Senior Traceability Manager, Vanessa Brain from the Leather Working Group on the concept of ‘traceability’. Discover how visibility over the supply process can develop a better relationship between our ancient forests and the leather industry.
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PUMA has ten target areas, each with a set of goals, that we are striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on the target area of Product. The PUMA Environmental Profit and Loss Account (EP&L) attributes more than 50% of our environmental impact to material and raw material production.
What it actually means: Reducing the environmental impact of our products is a major priority to us. Which is why we have and are continuing to move towards using recyclable and more sustainable materials at a larger scale
Goal 1: Procure 100% cotton, polyester, leather and down from certified sources
In order to reach our 100% targets for more sustainable cotton, we have required oursuppliers to source only cotton from farms which are licensed or certified as having good farming and human rights standards, or recycled cotton. We also work with the Leather Working Group certified tanneries to source our leather.
Goal 2: Increase recycled polyester use to 75% (apparel & accessories) and 90% of apparel and accessories classified as more sustainable
A significant percentage of the materials used (above 70%) to produce our apparel and accessories can be attributed to more sustainable polyester either bluesign® or OEKO-TEX®-certified or recycled polyester.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
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Singapore-based founder of sustainable bag company (Peco) Yumika Hoskin is joined by PUMA’s Head of Labelling and Packaging, Jordan Eichenberger to discuss the use of plastic in the fashion industry. Discover the answers to why brands are still using plastic packaging, whether or not it’s ever ok to use it and if there are alternatives that actually work.
In the episode, Jordan quotes an article from the Washington Post. You can find that article here – https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/10/03/GR2007100301385.html?referrer=emaillink—------
Plastic pollution of our oceans is one of the most urgent challenges to sustainability of our time. As a company that uses polymers in alot of its products, we have a special responsibility to work on this issue.
What it actually means: Plastic shopping bags and single-use plastics aggravate the problem of plastic pollution significantly. By eliminating them from our stores and office environment, we can set a positive example for our consumers and colleagues and at the same time reduce our use of plastics by several hundred tons per year.
Goal 1: Eliminate plastic bags from owned and operated PUMA stores
In recent years we switched our shopping bags to FSC-certified paper bags or polyethylene bags with 80% recycled content. During 2020 our Retail division devised a detailed plan to completely phase out plastic bags from our owned and operated PUMA stores globally.
Goal 2: Support scientific research on microfibers
We’ve joined The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) as a member to understand and address the environmental concerns for fibre fragments (microfibre) which are generated from natural and synthetic clothing during manufacture, as well as the consumer use phase in the industry.
Goal 3: Research biodegradable plastics options for products
We piloted a fully biodegradable version of our most iconic sneaker, the PUMA SUEDE. This pilot includes the use of a fully biodegradable outsole made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The composting results will be made public so that anyone interested in biodegradability can use our lessons learnt.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
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India based Environmental Activist Ripudaman Bevli is joined by Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director at Canopy Planet. An organisation working with companies like PUMA and their supply chains to protect our ancient forests and ecosystems from the impacts of industries such as fashion.
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PUMA has ten target areas, each with a set of goals, that we are striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on the target area of Biodiversity. Many species, including plants, animals, bacteria and fungi are being threatened with extinction due to human activities such as deforestation, putting the earth’s magnificent biodiversity at risk.
What it actually means: The Fashion Industries supply chains are directly linked to activities that threaten our biodiversity, such as deforestation. To mitigate the risk of biodiversity loss, we address environmental pollution risk through our targets and suppliers’ programmes.
You’ll find more information on PUMA’s Biodiversity & Forest Protection Policy as a PDF here – https://cdn.about.puma.com/-/media/files/pdf/sustainability/codes-and-handbooks/forest_biodiversity-policy_260321.pdf?rev=c7c72d80f88147c3bbea608249bb0f30
Goal 1: Support setting up a biodiversity SBT
SBT stands for Science Based Target, which provides a clearly-defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2022, we changed our SBT to align with our 1.5 degree scenario. See more about this target in the Climate Action episode – “Can radical collaboration solve fashion’s renewable energy problem?” show notes.
Goal 2: Procure 100% cotton, leather, and viscose from certified sources
Both cotton farming and cattle ranching require extensive land use and have been cited to reduce biodiversity, 99.8% of cotton used in PUMA products are BCI (better cotton initiative) or recycled cotton. 100% of the leather used in our footwear is sourced from Leather Working Group medal-rated tanneries. We have committed to sourcing 100% of our viscose from suppliers committed to reducing the risk of sourcing from ancient and endangered forests
.Goal 3: Zero use of exotic skins or hides
We don’t use skins or hides that have come from exotic animals like snakes to make any of our products. PUMA has committed to phasing out K-Leather (hide from kangaroos) in 2023.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
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Hong-Kong based Fashion Designer Bertha Shum is joined by Sectors Engagement Decarbonation Lead, Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Expect to hear discussions on whether radical collaboration is the answer to tackling climate change and how brands can be doing more to address the issue.
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PUMA has ten target areas, each with a set of goals, that we are striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on the target area of Climate Action.
Climate action refers to any actions taken to combat the effects of climate change and its impacts on people and the planet.
What it actually means: PUMA works with others in the fashion industry on climate action through the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action and the Fashion Pact to reduce the harmful emissions into the environment from the production of their goods.
Goal 1: Align PUMA’s climate target with 1.5 degrees global warming scenario.
The 1.5 global warming scenario, predicts that if the earth’s temperature warms to above 1.5º it will no longer be able to soak up carbon dioxide, resulting in more climate change. PUMA has applied to Science Based Targets initiative to approve new absolute Greenhouse Gas Emission emission reduction: Scope 1 and 2 by 90%, Scope 3 by 33% in 2030.
You may hear different ‘scopes’ referred to when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. In the case of PUMA this means
Scope 1 emissions: These are direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by PUMA, such as emissions from burning fuel in PUMA's owned or leased facilities, such as warehouses, or offices.
Scope 2 emissions: These are indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, heat, or steam by PUMA to power its retail stores, offices and warehouses.
Scope 3 emissions: These are all other indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur in the supply chain of PUMA, but are not owned or controlled by them. Examples include emissions from the production of raw materials or assembly in factories, transportation of raw materials and finished products, disposal of products at the end of their life, and the use of products by consumers (like washing and drying clothes).
Goal 2 : 100% renewable electricity for PUMA entities
This means that all of PUMA’s head offices, warehouses and retail stores are using renewable electricity, with no reliance on energy from fossil fuels. And this was achieved in 2020.
Goal 3: 25% renewable energy for core suppliers
Our main suppliers, like factories for example, will ensure that at least 25% of the energy they use at their premises would be from a renewable energy source, like electricity. They have worked with suppliers on several programs ranging from energy efficiency to installing on-site solar photovoltaic power plants to generate renewable energy. So far PUMA has achieved 11% for Tier 1 suppliers, 10.8% for Tier 2 suppliers. This includes Renewable Energy Certificates
Tier 2 are factories which manufacture components that go into PUMA products, and Tier 1 are the factories which put the components together to make the final product. A tier 1 may need to use a factory for a specific process that they don’t have in their own factory, like embroidery for example; this is called subcontracting.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
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US based Human Rights and Sociology Student Amina Shakeel talks with Chief of Staff and Director of Engagement Shelly Han from the Fair Labour Association (FLA). Join them both in conversations touching on the challenges faced by migrant workers in the textiles industry and hear what’s being done by the FLA, as well as brands, to create a fairer labour market in the global south.
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PUMA has ten target areas, each with a set of goals, that we are striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on the target area of Fair Wages.Fair wages means a salary that is reflective of the value or class of services provided.
What it actually means: Oftentimes in the fashion industry, workers in the global south are undervalued and underpaid for the work that they provide. To combat this, PUMA works with the Fair Labour Association to ensure that they are compensating their direct workers and suppliers a wage that is fair.
Goal 1: Fair-wage assessments for the top five sourcing countries
During an assessment conducted by the Fair Wage Network, workers’ satisfaction with wages and working conditions was found to be relatively good, in average, with 95% workers being either ‘fully’ or ‘partly’ satisfied with their wages and 86% workers being either ‘fully’ or ‘partly’ satisfied with working conditions.
These assessments were carried out in four of five of our top sourcing countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam)
Goal 2: Effective and democratically elected worker representatives at all core suppliers
Otherwise known as unions, PUMA supports democratically elected worker representatives in all core suppliers. In 2022, 48% of Tier 1 factories had effective representation in place.
And in case you’re wondering: Tier 1 are the factories which put the components together to make the final product.
Goal 3: Ensure bank transfer payments for all core suppliers
In 2022, 99.3% of our core factories paid workers digitally, only one out of the 147 core factories had 717 employees who have not yet received their payment digitally.
Digital payments are important because it means we now have a record of the payment and it cannot be intercepted.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
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US-based fashion designer and upcycler Andrew Burgess chats with PUMA’s Senior Manager, Corporate Strategy, Simon Hessel, about upcycling materials and defining 'circularity', the role of brands vs shoppers in ensuring more sustainable fashion and how PUMA’s RE:FIBRE project is a step towards a better future.
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PUMA has ten target areas, each with a set of goals, that we are striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on the target area of Circularity. Circular fashion is about extending a product’s lifespan through reuse, reselling, upcycling, repairing or, at the end of a products useful life, recycling.
What it actually means: For PUMA, circularity means projects like RE:FIBRE, that create a loop by turning old clothes into new ones so we don't need to use new material to make new garments. Or RE:SUEDE, PUMA’s experiment in creating a biodegradable shoe.
Goal 1: Establish ‘takeback’ schemes in all major markets
The PUMA takeback scheme is where we encourage consumers to give us back their old clothes when they’re done with them. At the moment, PUMA’s focus is on polyester garments, encouraging people to drop off their PUMA cast-offs to be recycled via our RE:FIBRE program. This has successfully rolled out with partner football clubs including Manchester City, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Olympique de Marseille.
Goal 2: Reduce production waste to landfills by at least 50% compared to 2020
Production waste is mainly the material that is not needed when cutting the pattern to make garments or shoes - ie. the offcuts. In 2022, we had 48% less waste to landfill per pair of shoes compared to 2020. However, we saw a 1% increase per apparel piece from 2020. This increase was mainly due to the on-boarding of new strategic factories in 2022 that have not yet worked on this target.
Goal 3: Develop recycled material options for leather, rubber, cotton and polyurethane
We increased the use of recycled cotton and rubber. We launched PUMA RE:COLLECTION made of recycled cotton and polyester and RE:GEN collection made of regenerated leather and recycled cotton. We’re continuing to increase the number of products using these recycled materials across our range.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
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Germany based content creator Luke Jaque-Rodney interviews Klaas Nuttbohm, Implementation Director at ZDHC, an organisation that aims to reduce the fashion industry’s chemical footprint. They discuss how and why making fashion needs chemicals, and what they're doing to lead garment manufacturers towards better alternatives.
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PUMA has ten target areas, each with goals, that PUMA is striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on the target area of Chemicals.
Chemicals are a crucial component in the fashion industry – found in the dyes used to colour the fabrics, chemicals used in recycling processes such as RE:FIBRE, or chemicals that add functionality - such as waterproofing – to a garment or shoe. Have you ever stain-guarded your shoes? Well, that’s chemicals. And the industry needs to use better ones.
Goal 1: Ensure 100% of PUMA products are safe to use
In 2022, we had no product recalls
Goal 2: Maintain RSL compliance rate above 90%
RSL stands for Restricted Substance List of chemicals. Before products get packed up and shipped off, the components they are made of have been tested for the presence of the chemicals that are on this list. In 2022 we had a compliance rate of 98.5%. Of the 1.5% that didn’t pass, these materials were not used in production.
Goal 3: Reduce organic solvent usage to under 10 g/pair
Ever opened a box of shoes and been overwhelmed by the smell? That’s the smell of organic solvents used within glues or cleaning solutions that are applied to footwear. These are known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
In 2022, PUMA had a VOC index of 13.2 g/pair that has reduced from 66.7 since 2003. This is important because exposure to high volumes can harm the environment and anyone who comes into contact with these compounds.
After being used, chemicals have to go somewhere - and so this episode has talked a lot about waste water. PUMA also has goals on improving on this, stated under the Water & Air Target Area. Keep an eye out for that episode to find out more, and see how we’re tracking in the show notes.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
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US-based community organiser Anya Dillard meets PUMA’s Teamhead Social Sustainability, Viola Wan to learn more about the challenges garment factory workers face. They also discuss the responsibilities of brands towards women working in their partner factories and what they’re doing to ensure greater gender equity.
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PUMA has ten target areas, each with goals, that PUMA is striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on Human Rights. Human rights in the apparel and footwear industry and supply chain refer to the fundamental rights that all workers are entitled to, regardless of their occupation or nationality.
What it actually means: PUMA and other brands must ensure we’re doing everything possible to monitor and improve factory working conditions for all colleagues. This includes being aware of the conditions in factory sites, which brands generally don’t own, and so aren’t as easy to control.
The lowdown:
Goal 1: Train 100,000 direct and indirect staff members on women’s empowerment
How we did in 2022: 168,037 factory workers and 2,077 PUMA employees have been trained so far.
Goal 2: Map subcontractors and Tier 2 suppliers for human rights risks
Clothing brands like PUMA often rely on multiple suppliers. This complexity makes it challenging to monitor and address human rights at every level of their supply chain. They need to create a system that detects and resolves any potential violations quickly. While this work has been ongoing for the last 20 years at PUMA, we wanted to expand the scope from the product manufacturers to their subcontractors and all of their component suppliers.
What we did in 2021 and 2022: Tier 2 and Tier 1 subcontractor mapping completed. In the 2022 Sustainability Report - through collaborative efforts with the sourcing team, we mapped more than 200 non-core Tier 2 suppliers. The next step is to monitor the working conditions of these 200+ factories (See page 61)
(And in case you’re wondering: Tier 2 are factories which manufacture components that go into PUMA products, and Tier 1 are the factories which put the components together to make the final product. A tier 1 may need to use a factory for a specific process that they don’t have in their own factory, like embroidery for example, this is called subcontracting).
Goal 3: 25,000 hours of global community engagement per year
How we did in 2022: We achieved a total of 43,000 hours, 18,000 over target.
PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com
