Just in time for earth month. PUMA has done the commendable, and brought us a range of shoes and clothing that is like no other. This global sports lifestyle brand launched its latest collection, that goes by the name of InCycle. What is so special about InCycle you may ask? Well, the collection that is packed with shoes, apparel and accessories, that are completely biodegradable or recyclable. And has a “Cradle to Cradle Certified^CM Basic” certification, an “important step in PUMA’s mission to become the most sustainable and desirable Sportlifestyle company.” Greenies going mad yet?

Cradle to Cradle has created a rigorous certification program that rates products against five sustainability factors: 1) the use of environmentally safe and healthy materials; 2) design for material reutilization including recycling and composting; 3) renewable energy and management of carbon; 4) water stewardship; and 5) social fairness.

The InCycle Collection springs PUMA into their journey of making sustainable products and innovations and en route with their mission, which “is to provide a continuous improvement quality program to guide product manufacturers and designers in making safe and healthy products for our world.”President of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute said:

We are delighted to have PUMA, such a powerful global brand, showing consumers and industry peers exactly what is possible through the adoption of the Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program, PUMA’s InCycle Collection raises the bar on what consumers can expect and what the apparel and textiles industries can deliver: products that are not only a delight to use and wear and but are also designed from the start to have a positive environmental footprint as they biodegrade safely to soil and are returned to industry as a valuable resource.

Let’s take you through the process.  The PUMA InCycle collection can be spilt into two processes. 1. The Biological Cycle – or biodegradable 2. The Technical Cycle – or recyclable This cycle is based on the process of breaking down the clothes by micro organisms into biological nutrients that will go back into the earth. The biodegradable products are all made of materials that ensure that there is the least impact on the environment as possible during the manufacturing process. This includes the use of things like non toxic chemicals and organic fibers. Take a look at how the process works.

Amazing isn’t it?

This cycle boasts on the fact that once items and apparels have been used the metals, textiles, and plastics can then be used to create new products. PUMA ensures that items such as their Track Jacket and Backpack are made out of materials that can be fully recycled (even the zippers) and at the end of their lifespan can be made into others just like them.

In order to make the recycling of the technical stage easier and worth while, PUMA has set up a “Bring Me Back” program which was launched in PUMA stores globally.  This program includes installed recycling bins in stores around the world, where customers can return used shoes, clothing and accessories “designed to give consumers a convenient means of recycling products and lessening their environmental impact.” PUMA’s InCycle collection is now available in stores  and online at puma.com.  For further information about the InCycle Collection and the Bring Me Back Program visit www.puma.com/bringmeback.

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