14 DAY TRIAL // This year, Puma and Nike have decided to do everything in their power to become the greenest companies operating in the field of sports and athletics. Their competition turns out to be quite beneficial, as both enterprises guide similar brands towards the right path to sustainability.
Earlier this year, in January, Nike managed to launch its website dedicated to environmentally-friendly operations, NikeBetterWorld.com, while Puma has tried to estimate its impact upon the environment, evaluating its contribution to the overall amount of GHGs to $194 Million (€145 million), reports Triple Pundit. Puma and Nike's sustainable strategies appear to share the same concepts. In many ways, there are similarities between the sustainability campaigns and initiatives developed and implemented by Nike and Puma.
Both major brands have revealed they are eager to respond to the great eco-challenge announced by Greenpeace, aiming to annihilate the usage and disposal of hazardous chemicals until 2020.
Nike and Puma along with Adidas, another company pursuing eco-friendly goals, have created the Joint Roadmap Towards Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals.
Their goal has inspired the entire industry of sports apparel, as in March we have witnessed the birth of Green Sports Alliance, a nonprofit organization created by an active group of Pacific Northwest pro-sport teams and facilities, according to Triple Pundit.
At this point in time, the group has expanded, counting more than 70 major names in the industry, that count on the support offered by most important North American pro leagues.
Nike tries to deliver its “Better world” message to the young public, aiming to persuade them that sports can create a better, eco-friendlier society.
At the same time, Puma wants to attract the public through its Puma Vision strategy, whose influence is divided in several sectors: Puma Safe referring to environmental preservation, Puma Creative, encouraging a creative vision as an effective response to current challenges, and Puma Peace, valuing social justice.
Following the same preservation goals, Patagonia, the pioneering sports apparel company, decided to work in partnership with e-Bay to convince people to stop the irrational shopping trend.
“This program first asks customers to not buy something if they don’t need it. If they do need it, we ask that they buy what will last a long time – and to repair what breaks, reuse or resell whatever they don’t wear any more. And, finally, recycle whatever’s truly worn out,” affirms Yvon Chouinard, the owner of Patagonia.