Timberland

Timberland is probably a surprising entry to this list, as it is not really a ‘gear’ company in the usual sense, making more outdoor orientated products and clothing than specialist gear. I have included them as they showed up a number of times in my research around corporate responsibility – it does seem they are making serious attempts on both sustainability and work place issues, and they do make boots, fleece and rain jackets, etc.

From the company: “Timberland’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is grounded in the values that define our community: humanity, humility, integrity and excellence. For over 30 years, “community” has been synonymous with the ethic of service―the desire to share our strength for the common good. Our approach to building and sustaining strong communities includes civic engagement, environmental stewardship and global human rights”.

CATEGORY: Leader (***)

Timberland “ released our new long-term CSR strategy (in 2008) focused on four strategic goals, or “pillars”. Each pillar is supported by several key initiatives with near and long term quantitative targets and was vetted through a rigorous stakeholder engagement process.
These are listed below in the relevant section below.

Further details can be found here.

·    information on resources used – recycled materials, use of renewable materials, etc

Pillar 2: Focus on Product: Design Recyclable Product
In particular:
Utilize the Green Index® ratings system to drive sustainable decisions throughout our enterprise
Develop a baseline average Green Index® score for footwear products and set targets for improvement.
Have the Green Index® rating on all footwear by 2011.

Reduce waste and inefficiencies from our value chain
Eliminate the use of chemicals linked to human or environmental harm
Select raw materials that reduce the environmental footprint of our products
Improve the environmental performance of our factories

·    energy consumption & carbon dioxide emissions

Pillar 1: “Timberland has a target to become carbon neutral by 2010. This means that we will address our own footprint by reducing the emissions created by our facilities and employee travel.”
·    distance travelled/ place(s) of production

·    waste generated

·    water consumption

·    working conditions

Pillar 3: Focus on Workplaces: Fair, Safe and Non-Discriminatory Workplaces
“we have a responsibility to ensure that our products are produced in workplaces that are fair, safe, and non-discriminatory”.
Focus Areas
Track relevant Supply Chain indicators that influence global human rights
Measure the average initial assessment score for new factories and set targets for improvement.
Measure the percent of production in “High Priority” factories and set targets for improvement.
Use the assessment process to highlight issues and prioritize factories in our value chain
Reduce “High Priority” factories to 20% of supply chain by 2015.
Reduce working hours violations to 30% of supply chain by 2010.
Through remediation, work with factory management to enact sustainable change by focusing on the root cause(s) of issues
Create a sustainable living environment for our workers.

·    other environmental claims or benefits
Pillar 4: Community Greening Service Campaign
We’re passionate about the outdoors and will do what we can to encourage others to explore and enjoy the outdoors as well. In 2008-9, we have focused our service efforts on Community Greening. During this campaign, our company sponsored service events will work to strengthen communities by improving green spaces and access to the outdoors.
How
Starting in 2008, we will infuse all company sponsored service events with operational excellence as indicated by the GREEN standard. What is GREEN?
G is for GRASSROOTS. Our service projects will be rooted in community based leadership, knowledge and needs based assessment to inform service vision and objectives.
R is for REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. We will use recycled/repurposed materials where possible and will recycle recyclable waste from our service sites.
E is for ENGAGEMENT. Achieves scale and long term sustainability through engagement of local and relevant stakeholders
E is for EDUCATION. Both internal and external, education is critical to ensuring long term sustainability of projects and green communities.
N is for NEUTRAL. Progresses Timberland’s goal of carbon neutrality

Focus Area
Build and preserve green spaces in urban communities
Build 15 community gardens worldwide by 2009.
Refurbish or build over 80 playgrounds by 2009.
Infuse our service events with operational excellence as indicated by the GREEN Standard
Ensure 95% of our service projects meet elements of the GREEN standard in 2009.
Ensure we recycle at 100% of our service sites for the entire campaign.
Equip employees to make their difference in the world
Encourage 80% of our employees to use some of their community service hours by 2010.
Volunteer over 80,000 service hours to our communities by 2010.

Timberland has a program called Earth Keeper.
“When you’re an Earthkeeper, you’re part of a community of like-minded people from all over the world intent on doing the little things and doing bigger things, like replanting eroded areas and retrofitting their engines to run on bio fuel. Earthkeepers learn from and support one another through original and inspiring ideas of making the world a more sustainable and liveable world. And the more of us there are, the better”.

·    details on who stocks the item/ where to find it/ where to get further information

Details on where to find stores is available here.