Timberland has also revealed its latest eco-innovation, the Timberloop Trekker -- a new city hiker for spring 2022 designed for circularity. With sneaker-like comfort and a progressive outdoor look, the Timberloop Trekker has a unique sole construction whereby the outsoles can easily be removed at the ReCircled facility and each part put into its own unique recycling stream.

The brand will introduce a digital, ship-from-home option later in the summer for its take-back programme. Following the US launch, the programme is slated to expand to EMEA later this fall, and to the APAC region in spring 2022.

The take-back programme provides the robust infrastructure needed to fuel Timberland’s circular design and development cycle. It also supports the brand’s bold vision, announced last fall, for its products to have a net positive impact on nature by 2030, through a commitment to regenerative agriculture and circular design, the company said in a press release.

“This take-back programme is a critical step in pursuing our 100 per cent circularity goal, while at the same time addressing the ever-increasing consumer demand for responsible design and progressive retail options,” said Susie Mulder, global brand president for Timberland.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the Timberloop Trekkers to market next spring. Timberland has been using recycled materials in our footwear for years, but this design innovation puts us on the path to true circularity, where nothing goes to waste. And with ReCircled, we now have the mechanism in place to close the loop,” said Chris McGrath, vice president of global footwear design for Timberland.

In Timberland’s journey to have a net positive impact on nature by 2030, circularity will help the brand achieve zero waste/impact. Timberland aims to tip the scales past zero to net positive by sourcing 100 per cent of its natural materials through regenerative agriculture.

Timberland had earlier introduced eco-innovations such as regenerative leather, Community Cotton fibre and GreenStride comfort soles.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)