UPDATE - #EcoLockdown Challenge - Week 2
For this weeks challenge as a family we researched about the Converse brand. I like wearing their sweatshirts, tracksuits and we all love their footwear!
Nike owns Converse, and from what we have read, they have attempted to be more 'Eco-Friendly'. They are using materials that are organic as well as, recycled cotton and polyester. We have also found out that the brand minimises offcuts in the manufacturing process and has a waste reduction strategy.
Nike have said that they want to have 100% renewable assets. They have predicted that they will reduce their emissions by more than 50% by 2025. However, there is no evidence of this; Nike are also behind on minimising water impact. We also could not find no evidence of a strategy to prevent deforestation.
Nike/Converse have made some progress, but we feel for a company their size they have not done enough.
The brand's items have been made in different factories in China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia. The workers get paid the minimum wage, but this does not mean this is living wage. We also discovered that the Covid-19 policies protected the suppliers but NOT the workers. This was very disappointing to read...
Finding out this information has made us think about what we are buying, and what company we are supporting.
Converse do some trainers that are 'vegan friendly', these are the canvas 'Chuck Taylor All Stars' (as pictured above, the footwear we wear as a family).
We have found an alternative brand called, Etiko (which means, 'Ethical' in Greek). Their website states; 'Certified organic cotton, fair trade and vegan clothing. Our goal is to make your journey into ethical fashion as seamless as possible.' The link to the website is Our Story | Etiko
How has this made you feel about the Nike / Converse brand?
Keep an eye out for my next post for #EcoLockdown Challenge Week 3!