PUMA: Educating Gen Z on Green Fashion Manufacturing
As global concerns about climate change and sustainability grow, leading sportswear manufacturer PUMA is making moves to educate future generations.
Under the banner of its FOREVER. BETTER. campaign the company has created Green Flags, a podcast that discusses the future of sustainable fashion manufacturing.
Spanning five segments, the podcast is designed to inform listeners about advancements with biomaterials, sustainable manufacturing techniques and the creation of a circular economy.
Dynamics of the Green Flags podcast
The podcast benefits from a charismatic ensemble of hosts, each bringing unique perspectives and insights.
The lineup features Maya Le Tissier, captain of Manchester United and a prominent member of the Lionesses; Oli Bromfield, an authority on fashion and lifestyle; and Moses Duckrell, a former professional footballer turned content creator.
The hosts discuss the sustainability challenges of sportswear fashion, showcasing manufacturing innovations which address them to a broad audience.
"I'm so excited to be a part of this podcast which brings sustainability to the forefront of Gen Z listeners,” Maya explains.
“It's a lot of fun to complete the sustainability challenges and learn more about the small changes we can all make to fight climate change."
This podcast aligns perfectly with PUMA's overarching sustainability objectives and goal to solve problems through collaboration.
Circularity and upcycling at PUMA
Anne-Laure Descours, the Chief Sourcing Officer at PUMA, stresses the significance of collective effort when it comes to manufacturing sustainability.
This is reflected in the company's Vision 2030 sustainability aims, which takes strong stances human rights, circularity and climate change mitigation.
This vision builds upon the ambitious 10FOR25 goals, which PUMA intends to achieve by 2025.
"The climate crisis can seem overwhelming, however all of us have the power to make better decisions for the future of our planet, no matter how small,” says Anne-Laure.
“It's vital that we travel this journey towards a FOREVER. BETTER together with our next generation to create awareness and inspire collective change."
A key highlight of the Green Flags series is its second episode, which revolves around the upcycling of old clothing.
PUMA employs recycled materials within their products, demonstrating its commitment to circular fashion.
The episode provides practical, straightforward methods for extending the lifespan of clothing items whilst highlighting manufacturing innovation.
- Episode 1: The Carbon Crunch - Ever wondered how your breakfast affects the planet? Or how many carbon emissions are released on your morning commute? The Green Flags team look into the truth behind greenhouse gas emissions.
- Episode 2: The Wardrobe Revival – A little care goes a long way, whether that's by repairing, reviving or revamping an old outfit or pair of trainers. The hosts see who can save their item from becoming trash and bring it back to life, while learning about sustainable fashion hacks to reduce waste.
- Episode 3: Lessons in Leather – Understanding the environmental impact of different materials can be confusing. The hosts dive into this debate and uncover that when it comes to sustainability, the answer is far from black and white.
- Episode 4: The Renewable Electricity Experiment – This episode focuses on the importance of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The Green Flags hosts compete to see who can generate the most electricity using unconventional methods.
- Episode 5: The RE:FIBRE Makeover – The hosting trio showcase their upcycled outfits, made from materials that would otherwise be considered waste – while learning about the process of circular textile production with PUMA RE:FIBRE.
The podcast endeavors to show Gen Z listeners that fashion need not be transient.
The industry is working towards greater manufacturing circularity and there are methods we all can employ to preserve our clothing for longer.
The hosts all take active efforts to highlight this.
Oli navigates mending a thrifted jersey with a needle and thread, Maya tackles grass stains employing bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, while Moses carefully irons out creases from his trainers.
These simple acts can contribute to sustainable fashion practices, helping to fight against rising textile waste.
Sustainable initiatives encompassing PUMA’s vision
This podcast is part of PUMA’s broader roadmap towards sustainability, which includes designing and manufacturing products with longevity, reparability and recyclability in mind.
Oliver highlighted these efforts during en episode of the podcast, promoting PUMA's innovative recycling program.
"PUMA is doing a cool thing called Re:FIBRE where they take old polyester waste and turn it into brand new items of clothing," he said.
He also mentioned PUMA’s ambitious target of using "20% recycled cotton and 100% recycled polyester by 2030".
Ultimately with the introduction of Green Flags, PUMA is seeking to boost awareness and engagement with sustainable fashion manufacturing.
By combining education with entertainment the podcast is reaching the next generation, who will shape the future of textile use, consumption and production.
With fashion manufacturing under increased scrutiny for its environmental footprint, Green Flags will play a crucial role in fostering transparency and consumer involvement in corporate sustainability efforts.
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