Source: Timberloop
Timberland has been one of the most responsive companies to my requests for information on diversity issues. I’ve been able to gain a better understanding of the challenges for their corporate offices vs the diversity in their company stores.
Since they’ve been forthcoming with the programs they’ve implemented, I’ve made it a point to check their site often to see what programs they continue to implement across the board. While diversity is always going to be a challenge for a company located in the Northeast in New Hampshire, the brand has consistently integrated a solutions-based strategy in countering equally as important issues in environmental challenges. Their latest program is Timberloop.
I know that’s a big picture, but this is a big program. “We’ll take back your worn TIMBERLAND® footwear, apparel and accessories at the end of their lives and give them new ones, ensuring that our products never have to see a landfill. Our circularity platform refurbishes worn products for resale or if beyond repair, we take them apart and re-use or recycle the pieces in to new materials.”
Circular programs are becoming more prevalent in the sneaker and apparel industry. This is critical as the world is running out of locations for landfills and the dumping contributes to methane, which leads to climate change. Think about the erratic weather in your city right now. There are tornadoes in California, the number of hurricanes is rising considerably and they are more deadly. Around the world tsunamis are destroying cities and coast lines. All the while the factors contributing to these issues is overlooked. The consumer is oblivious and is focused on IG fashion trends. This places the responsibility on the brand to do better. Timberloop is an exciting program that should be celebrated as the norm. Shout out to Timberland for tackling problems on every front with thoughtful solutions. Read more about the program here: Timberloop