14 DAY TRIAL // Environmental group Greenpeace has for some time now been snooping around the fashion industry and has released several reports that some major brands would have very much liked to remain in the dark forever.
The organization has recently gone through the trouble of having a closer look at Adidas, Nike and Puma apparel especially designed for the upcoming 2014 World Cup, and it has found that these three brands are no strangers to playing dirty.
On the contrary, Greenpeace maintains that, according to its investigations, potentially harmful chemical compounds are being used to make Adidas, Nike and Puma football boots, gloves and shirts.
In its report, the group details that, all in all, it analyzed the makeup of 33 products, i.e. 21 pairs of boots, 7 football shirts, 4 pairs of goalkeepers gloves, and 1 ball. Of these products, 21 were intended for children.
Of the 33 products that this investigation focused on, 16 were from Adidas, 15 from Nike, and 2 from Puma. The products were bought either from brand or from sports stores in 16 different countries and regions, the organization goes on to explain.
As shown in the graphic below, traces of dangerous chemical compounds were found in pretty much all of the products that scientists were asked to screen, and Nike and Adidas football boots turned out to be the worst of the bunch.
On its website, Greenpeace explains that the compounds identified in these 33 products threaten to leak into the environment at any time and affect not just natural ecosystems but also public health.
What's more, the organization warns that, according to information at hand, most of these products come from countries where environmental pollution is already an issue, which it says makes them even dirtier.
In light of these findings, the environmental group asks that Nike, Adidas, Puma and other brands that are in the business of making football apparel – be it connected to the 2014 World Cup or not – move to green up their way without delay.
“Over the next few weeks millions of football fans like me will be caught up in World Cup fever, getting ready for the sport's greatest moment by buying the latest national shirt or putting on the boots of our national heroes and reenacting the game of champions.”
“Surely alongside the high prices, the latest technology and revolutionary designs, these brands should be ensuring we can play football free from hazardous chemicals?” the organization writes.
