Around this year’s Earth Day, Timberland announced several initiatives within its CSR program, the most interesting being the expansion of the Timberloop take-back program into the U.K., Germany, France and Italy, with more European markets to follow. The recycling program allows consumers to return their worn Timberland footwear, apparel or accessories to a Timberland store or through a prepaid shipping option. Returned products are either repaired/refurbished for resale or disassembled – with some parts being re-used and the rest recycled. To support the resale component of the program, a separate Timberloop website has been launched, making these recycled and refurbished products available to consumers in the U.S. in a first step, with other markets to follow.
Besides the expansion of the take-back initiative, a new style named Timberloop Trekker City Hiker is going to market, the brand’s first footwear designed for full circularity. The shoe features a sole construction that allows for the removal of the outsole and disassembly for recycling at the Timberloop take-back facility. Following a 25-year tradition, the brand’s employees will also dedicate voluntary time to create, restore or provide access to green space in the communities where they work, live and play.
