Puma readies sustainable push

Puma has launched a raft of environmental commitments in a bid to become the world’s “most desirable and sustainable” sportswear company.

The firm aims to reduce the amount of water and paper it uses through the introduction of a “reusable bag” to replace the cardboard boxes its training shoes are packaged in.

The sportslifestyle company claims the “clever little bag” requires less raw materials and less energy to produce and will reduce its water, energy and diesel consumption by 60% per year.

It will also introduce what is described as the “Puma Sustainability Index” that details a product’s environmental credentials

Puma claims the index will “serve as a benchmark” for sustainable products, adding that 50% of its goods will be manufactured using the self-developed standard by 2015.

It has also committed to reducing the number of plastic bags used when bagging its apparel collection by switching to “sustainable material”, with the aim of reducing polyethylene bag use by 720 tons per year.

PUMA says it hopes to “set new standards within the sportslifestyle industry”.

The commitments follow the introduction of Puma’s “Vision” last year that aims to improve the company’s sustainable practices.