Greenpeace, the international environmental group has accused outdoor clothing makers including The North Face, Columbia and Patagonia for failing to eliminate toxic chemicals in their products. The accusation by Greenpeace comes after its scientists found traces of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in the waters of high-altitude lakes around the world, including the Lago di Pilato in the Apennine mountain range of central Italy.
Greenpeace said in its recent study how slowly the environment breaks down these chemicals, which outdoor clothing makers routinely use in their waterproof gear. The company said that brands like Puma and Adidas have already adopted ‘ambitious elimination targets’ for PFCs and some companies also offer collections of PFC-free waterproof clothing. But The North Face, Columbia, Patagonia, Salewa and Mammut, according to Greenpeace are showing “little sense of responsibility when it comes to eliminating hazardous chemicals such as PFCs”.
Greenpeace criticism comes at a time when apparel companies are trying to portray their apparel manufacturing processes as eco-friendly. Patagonia in particular, for instance, has been touting that it uses recycled and ethically-sourced materials and it is also involved in creating a national park in Chile. The company is a B corporation, meaning it includes social and environmental performance alongside its financial goals. Two years ago it started a venture fund, ‘$20 Million and Change’, to invest in socially and environmentally responsible start-ups.
www.greenpeace.org
