Reebok's Environmental Commitment

Reebok International Ltd. is a heavyweight in the sporting goods industry, and like many of its counterparts is looking at the issue of responsible environmental stewardship. Hazardous substances, reducing waste and transportation are just some of the issues that the organization is addressing to reduce their environmental impact.

Restricted Substances
Reebok enforces a Restricted Substances Policy that limits or prohibits the use of substances recognized as potentially harmful to human health or the environment.
Going beyond the legal requirements of avoiding substances restricted by various governmental authorities such as the European Commission Chemicals Directives, voluntarily restrict the use of substances in the production of our shoes that have been identified as harmful to the environment by the European Union Eco-label program, environmental organizations and other non-governmental organizations.

VOCs
Reebok is active in reducing the release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the workplace, when adhesives, paints, cleaners and primers are used in production. These can harm workers if breathed in or absorbed by the skin.

Packaging and Waste
In the United States, almost thirty-percent of all municipal solid waste has been found to be plastic and cardboard packaging material. Since 1992 Reebok has been relying almost entirely on recycled materials in its packaging, and labels packaging materials using low-toxicity water-based inks. They adhere to the Green Dot recycling program, which serves to eliminate unnecessary packaging at point-of-sale, and were involved in the development of Eco-Grip technology that adds recycled rubber waste into compounds used to make shoe outsoles.

Energy and Awareness
Energy efficient systems for lighting, heating and cooling systems have been introduced at Reebok headquarters in Massachusetts, USA, and efforts are underway to engage employees in environmental responsibility. Efforts include: celebrating Earth Day, office-paper recycling, outside air quality alerts at the fitness center, supporting environmental NPOs and addressing transportation issues.

Transportation
Whenever practicable, the organization seeks to utilize transportation modes for the shipment of material and products that are fuel-efficient and produce fewer emissions to the environment.

Global Warming
Currently, Reebok is in the process of developing an emissions source inventory and baseline of the greenhouse gases emitted from key aspects of its business operations, such as energy production, industrial processes, and transportation. Reducing the emission of greenhouse gases that are though to be a source of global warming is a challenge for all international businesses and Reebok's current research should allow them to educate and monitor themselves on their emissions - leading them to further reduce their climate impact.

For more details ion Reebok's environmental commitment see:http://www.reebok.com/x/us/about/features/env/index.html

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