AS PART of Earth Day 2022, SA’s Proteas captain Temba Bavuma lent his voice towards encouraging South Africa to take further steps towards a more sustainable future.
Bavuma, in partnership with New Balance, has made the commitment to ‘be green in any colour.’
“As an athlete, I’ve realised that it’s not always about the present, but also about the future. It’s about taking what you already have, and making it better. Enabling a more sustainable future with every step,” he said.
The commitment from Bavuma and New Balance comes as a part of New Balance’s green leaf standard which indicates environmentally preferred material adoption across its footwear and apparel products.
For apparel that meets New Balance’s green leaf standard, at least 50% of the materials in a garment are sourced as environmentally preferred. For footwear, at least 50% of the materials in its upper are sourced as environmentally preferred, and at least one material in the midsole/outsole uses approximately 3% bio-based or 5% recycled content.
“Thanks to environmentally-preferred materials used for New Balance shoes and apparel, I can now be green in any colour and on any path that I take. We’ve got now, and the future. So, here’s to the Green Leaf standard. I call on all South Africans to join the movement this Earth Day and take your own steps towards a more sustainable future,” added Bavuma.
Polyester and leather are two of the highest volume materials of climate impact for New Balance and this initiative is designed to help support New Balance’s goal to source 50% recycled polyester and 100% preferred leather by 2025.
In the footwear space, the green leaf standard will be available in two of the brand’s largest and most popular footwear franchises, the 574 and Fresh Foam 1080v12.
“New Balance is pleased to be highlighting environmentally preferred materials through the green leaf standard this Earth Day,” says Craig Bowen, New Balance Country Manager.
“It’s important for us to provide consumers with intuitive tools, like our green leaf standard, that will help them choose products that align with their values, with the goal of creating systemic change and positive impacts within our society.”
Image ( Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma supports the National Earth Day in partnership with New Balance).
