Feature story - November 14, 2001
Unfortunately, PVC is used in a wide number of products ranging from construction materials, including home furnishings, to clothing and shoes. Greenpeace conducted a survey of popular shoe manufacturers this holiday season to see who is being naughty or nice by avoiding the use of polluting PVC plastic. Here is how they stack up.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) is the most damaging plastic
to human health and the environment. From start to finish, PVC is
hazardous. When PVC is manufactured or disposed of in incinerators,
dioxins are generated and emitted. Dioxins are a class of
chlorine-containing chemicals recognized as some of the most toxic
ever made by humans. Once released, dioxins distribute globally
through air and water currents and accumulate in soils and
vegetation, where they are ingested or otherwise taken up by fish,
cattle and other animals we eat. Consequently, dioxins are eaten by
humans and contaminate the tissues and blood of people throughout
the world.
Grades:
A = Excellent. Has published policy and plan to
phase-out PVC no later than 2003; alternatives research ongoing for
complete elimination.
B = Above Average. Has no published PVC phase-out
policy; eliminated some PVC; phase-out start date set; alternatives
research ongoing.
C = Average. Has no published PVC phase-out policy;
eliminated some PVC; no PVC phase-out start date set; alternatives
research ongoing.
D = Below Average. Has no published PVC phase-out
policy; has not eliminated any PVC; investigation into PVC
phase-out ongoing.
F = Fail. Has no intent to adopt PVC phase-out policy
or no response to repeated inquiries.
Note: The following
is restricted to information on PVC policies of various compainies,
and is not an endorsement or evaluation of other company
policies.
Shoe Manufacturers:
|
Name |
Grade |
Comment |
| Adidas |
A |
PVC phase-out in all products except
for high-performance sports equipment products by end of 2002 |
| Asics |
A |
All Asics products will be PVC-free in
2002. |
| Converse |
F |
Non-responder |
| Etonic |
C |
Has eliminated some PVC; no commitment
to PVC phase-out policy. |
| Fila |
F |
Non-responder |
| Keds |
F |
Non-responder |
| K-Swiss |
F |
Non-responder |
| New Balance |
C |
Has eliminated some PVC; no commitment
to PVC phase-out policy. |
| Nike |
A |
Majority of footwear models currently
PVC-free. Beginning January 2002, the Keystone series of cleated
products and 5 models of Nike Slide sandals will be PVC-free. A
PVC-free hangtag will appear on PVC-free products. |
| Puma |
A |
PVC phase-out in most products by the
end of 2003. |
| Reebok |
F |
Non-responder |
| Saucony |
F |
Non-responder |
| Spalding |
F |
Non-responder |
| Timberland |
C |
Introduced PVC-free boot, no
commitment to PVC phase-out policy. |