The environmentally sustainable collection includes five styles of men's footwear, two bags and one t-shirt, all made using Thread Ground to Good fabric. The products build upon Timberland’s longstanding commitment to be Earthkeepers – to innovate and operate their business in an accountable and responsible manner.

With a shared passion for supporting communities in Haiti, Timberland and Thread were natural partners from the start. Both companies are determined to look beyond the environmental value of recycled plastic bottles to focus on responsibility, transparency and creating social value, said Timberland in a press release.

"The Timberland X Thread collection is incredible proof that style and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. This collection delivers good with every fibre, not just by recycling plastic bottles that would otherwise end up littering the streets, but also by creating job opportunities and cleaner neighborhoods in Haiti. Consumers can feel good about pulling on their Timberland X Thread boots or backpack and know they are making a positive impact in someone else's life," said Colleen Vien, director of sustainability for Timberland.

The shoes and boots are crafted with durable uppers in Thread fabric made with 50 per cent post-consumer recycled PET, a 50 per cent recycled PET mesh lining for comfort and breathability and a durable outsole made of 15 per cent recycled rubber. The duffel bag and backpack are made with Thread fabric and waterproof leather trims, while the t-shirt is made with 50 per cent Thread fabric and 50 per cent reclaimed cotton from fabric scraps.

The process of going from 'bottle to boot' begins in Haiti, where more than 1,300 locals collect the plastic bottles that are developed into Thread fabric. Each yard of fabric is traced and tracked at every step of its journey, from bottle collection and fabric creation to the delivery of the fabric bolt to the manufacturer.

"At Thread, we believe that dignified jobs cure poverty and our fabric creates those jobs. Our partnership with Timberland marks a seismic shift in the fashion industry, combining Timberland’s large supply chain and loyal customer base with Thread’s responsible, transparent approach to creating premium fabrics and vital jobs in the developing world. The Timberland X Thread collection is a major step towards improving the way our clothes are made," said Ian Rosenberger, founder and CEO of Thread. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India