G531 - Timberland - Canterbury Region

Summary
Timberland found a reuse for their shoe boxes which means that they get used at least once more before going to the landfill.

Business Profile
Timberland, Christchurch is a rugged / casual outdoor clothing store and is part of an international franchise agreement.

Type of Project
Reduction, reuse, recycling.

Reasons for Project
Timberland’s concern for the environment and reducing their impact upon it was the impetus behind their involvement in the Green Retail Waste Minimisation project. Through reassessing their waste and how it can be minimised, Timberland is progressively improving their environmental performance.

The Project

Minimising the amount of waste generated by their business operations is a primary concern for Timberland. Timberland already has an enviable record - a system set up with a clothing manufacturer means that coat-hangers get reused; goods which require extra protection are packaged using water soluble rice-chips instead of polystyrene; shoe boxes are made of corrugated cardboard which can be recycled. However, Timberland’s quest for continual improvement meant getting a better understanding of their waste. Timberland completed a waste audit which involved collecting waste for a week, separating it into different types and weighing each type. They also worked out the cost of waste and determined where and why wastes were being generated.

One of the largest components of their waste was the shoe boxes left behind by duty free customers. These were already being collected for recycling but reusing them was a much better option. The shoe boxes are now collected and distributed by a trust and used in early childhood art or as play resources.

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