Puma gives the boot to cardboard shoeboxes Puma is to eliminate the humble cardboard shoebox and plans to produce half of its sportswear from sustainable sources as part of a push to use ethical credentials to steal a march on rivals. Jochen Zeitz, former chief executive, said CLEVER Puma wanted to become the "most sus- tainable' sportswear company, but offered LITTLE BAGS collaboration with other companies on its packaging technology, which includes the use of a corn starch-based product to replace plastic in wrapping clothing and in carrier bags in the group's stores. The initiatives by the world's third-larg- Source: www.puma.com est sporting goods maker - which vies for Puma has unveiled a reusable bag to replace consumer spending with Adidas, its German neigh- boxes for shipping shoes from factories to consumers bour and rival, and Nike of the US - shows how from late next year. The company also said at least environmental concerns are prompting consumer half its footwear, clothing and accessories would in goods companies to alter production and marketing time be produced from recycled or organic products. methods. Puma, owned by PPR, the French luxury goods Mr Zeitz said Puma had decided to pre-empt any group, said its new packaging and production meth- potential legislation that would enforce more environ- ods would initially increase costs. 'If you buy recy- mentally sustainable practices. "Puma must face the reality that neither its business nor the retail industry cled material or organic it costs more . . . we hope there will be more [cheap] supplies in the future,' are currently sustainable in a way that does not affect Mr Zeitz said. future generations, the company said.2014 marked a turning point in Puma's footwear packaging concept. Their customers and retail part- ners repeatedly reported issues regarding difficulties in the handling of the Clever Little Bag in the retail environment, which led to the development of a new, more conventional footwear packaging. To uphold high environmental standards, the new PUMA shoe- box is made from over 95% recycled and fully FSC@ certified material. Source: from 'Pume glee the boot to cardboard shoeboxes' , Financial Times, 14/04/2010 (Wilson, J. and MIne, R.)