Earth increases environmental commitment
Producer of Earth brand footwear and apparel Earth, Inc. is increasing its commitment to environmental responsibility through various initiatives across the company.
For spring 2007, Earth's shoebox inserts and product hangtags are now printed on Wood Free paper as are the company’s seasonal catalogues, which also include post-consumer recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and are printed with wind-generated energy.
The company’s apparel line for men and women now incorporates a broader assortment of naturally-available hemp and bamboo fabrics and eco-sustainable trims including Ingeo (corn), soy and organic cotton.
In its footwear products many styles, which already include recycled materials in the shank design, will now include a lower proportion of leather in their upper constructions and for spring 2007, nearly 38% its shoe line will have leather upper alternatives, compared with 25% in the same period of 2006.
Looking to the future, for autumn 2007, the company has committed to manufacturing 100% of its seasonal footwear using water-based adhesives, in a move which aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact that is generally found in the production of footwear. Insole boards used in closed shoes and boots will be made from leftover recycled milk cartons with all of the scrap re-purposed after the leftovers are cut. For spring 2008, Earth will use hemp to produce all its shoe bags and will also shift to glue-less packaging with inks printed from soy- and water-based materials throughout the footwear line.
