Nike, Adidas called on to clean up supply chain

Greenpeace continues to challenge big-time companies to clean up their supply chains.

Today, Greenpeace called on shoe and apparel giants Nike and Adidas to clean up their supply chains and remove toxic chemicals from their products on the heels of a year-long investigation into toxic water pollution in China.

Greenpeace’s “Dirty Laundry” report found toxic chemicals in samples of wastewater discharges at textile facilities that have links to Nike and Adidas.

“Greenpeace is challenging the clothing brands named in this report to eliminate releases of hazardous chemicals from their supply chain and products, and we are calling on trendsetting brands that have a major influence on their supply chains, such as Adidas and Nike, to take the lead”, Yifang Li, Greenpeace East Asia Toxic Campaigner, said.

The chemicals found included persistent and bioaccumulative hormone disruptors that could potentially impact humans and the environment.

“Our findings give a snapshot of the kind of toxic chemicals that are being released by the textile industry into waterways all over the world and are indicative of a much wider problem that is having serious, long-term and far-reaching consequences for people and wildlife,” Martin Hojsik, Coordinator of the Toxics Water campaign at Greenpeace International, said.

Hojsik would like Nike and Adidas (and the other companies named in the report) to add visibility into their supply chains so everyone knows exactly what goes into making each product.

 “At the moment, none of the brands highlighted in the report have a complete overview of the chemicals being used and released in making their products,” Hojsik said. "The solution to this problem is the adoption of comprehensive chemicals management policies, which will enable these companies to systematically monitor, reduce and eliminate hazardous chemicals throughout their supply chain.”