Position on Greenpeace International's report “Toxic Treads: Polluting Paradise"
Herzogenaurach, 30 April 2013 – Recently, Greenpeace International released a report called “Toxic Treads: Polluting Paradise”. The report addresses the problem of water pollution resulting from the release of hazardous chemicals by the textile industry in Indonesia. Greenpeace investigations focused on the textile supplier PT Gistex Textile Division that, as claimed by Greenpeace, was found to be discharging a range of hazardous and persistent chemicals into the Citarum River.
There are many inaccuracies in the report, and we would therefore like to set the record straight about the adidas Group’s relationship with the supplier PT Gistex as well as the adidas Group’s chemical footprint in our supply chain globally.
As communicated to Greenpeace back in September 2012 (see letter attached below), the adidas Group can confirm that we have no business relationship with the Indonesia supplier PT Gistex Textiles Division located in West Java, which is the focus in this report.
The management of chemicals in multi-tiered supply chains is a complex challenge, requiring many actors to play a role in achieving effective and sustainable solutions. For years, the adidas Group has been running leadership programmes that address this topic at its own facilities and within its global supply chain. You can read more in the document "Chemicals Management at the adidas Group" attached below.
At the same time, we are aware that some complex challenges cannot be solved alone. This is why in 2011 we were a founding member of a group of major brands that created a Joint Roadmap on the zero discharge of hazardous chemicals. Since then we have been collaborating in an effort to lead the apparel and footwear industry towards the improvement of chemical management and consequently environmental performance in our supply chains by 2020.
As a responsible company, the adidas Group is committed to manage and reduce its environmental impact wherever they occur.