Did you know that 30 billion tonnes of wastewater are dumped into the Yangtze river every year and that Shanghai’s 20 million residents are dependent on the Yangtze for clean drinking water? Nike is the first company to publicly take up the Detox Challenge, claiming it aspires to the same goal of a toxic-free future. The question now is, who will be first amongst Nike, Adidas and other would-be champions to turn these words into action.
As much as 70 percent of China's rivers, lakes and reservoirs are affected by water pollution, and the clothing industry is making it worse by pouring hazardous chemicals into the mix. Our brand choices give industry leaders like Nike and Adidas power. Now, we need them to use that power for good and help champion a toxic-free future. By working with their suppliers to eliminate the use and release of all hazardous chemicals in their supply chains and products, these brands can detox our sportswear, detox our water, and detox our future.
