Corporate Social Responsibility

News

9.12.2006 - 09:06am ET

CSR News from:	Timberland Company (The)
News Category:	Environment

Timberland Sets New Standard for Product Transparency and Increases Efforts to Minimize Environmental Impact; Environmentally-Friendly Packaging and ''Our Footprint'' Labeling Arrives on Shelves with Fall 2006 Line

(CSRwire) STRATHAM, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2006--The Timberland Company today introduces new, environmentally-friendlier packaging for its footwear products and a product information label that details aspects of the company's environmental and community footprint. The new packaging and labeling will be available in stores with fall 2006 footwear.

The packaging and labeling initiative further reinforces Timberland's environmental leadership among retail companies. Highlights of the new packaging and labeling include:

The "Our Footprint" label informs consumers about aspects of
Timberland's environmental and community impact.

Footwear boxes made of 100 percent recycled post-consumer
waste fiber that use no chemical glues and only soy-based inks
for the printing of labels.

Messaging and call to action that asks consumers "What kind of
footprint will you leave?"

The next evolution of the packaging will feature a "Green
Index" hangtag, which will provide a product-specific rating
of select environmental factors (on five shoes in Spring
2007).

"Timberland is constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental impact in every facet of product development, manufacturing and delivery," said Jeffrey Swartz, Timberland's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that we're going to see an industry shift towards greater product transparency for consumers and that they'll come to expect that from all of the companies they do business with. Consumers deserve the most information possible to make intelligent purchasing decisions. We hope other retail companies will see the importance of these practices."

The "Our Footprint" label appears on the side of each footwear box and provides consumers with insight into Timberland's environmental and community impact. It resembles the "Nutrition Facts" label found on food and beverage products and offers consumers a recognizable format to learn more about the company's efforts. The label consists of three sections:

Environmental Impact: Provides the average amount of kilowatt
hours (kWh) needed to produce a pair of Timberland(R)
footwear; in addition, it indicates the amount of Timberland's
energy that is generated from renewable resources such as the
sun, wind or water.

Community Impact: Details what percentage of factories are
assessed by against the company's code of conduct, reiterates
Timberland's strict no child labor policies, and shares the
total number of hours volunteered in the community by
Timberland employees.

Manufactured: Lists the name and location of the factory where
the product was made.

The next evolution in Timberland's labeling will be a "Green Index" hangtag, appearing on five Outdoor Performance products in February 2007. The "Green Index" will indicate to consumers an overall rating of the product based on the average of three specific categories:

Climate: Rating based on the greenhouse gas emissions specific
to the product.

Chemical: Rating based on use of chemicals and solvents used
in the manufacturing of the product.

Material: Rating based on the use of organic, renewable and
recycled materials.

Each of these categories will be given a rating between zero and 10, with zero being best.

For more information about Timberland's commitment to corporate social responsibility, please visit www.timberland.com.

About Timberland

Timberland (NYSE: TBL) is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland(R) products are sold worldwide through leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland(R) retail stores. Timberland's dedication to making quality products is matched by the company's commitment to "doing well and doing good" - forging powerful partnerships among employees, consumers and service partners to transform the communities in which they live and work. To learn more about Timberland, please visit www.timberland.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

For more information please contact:

Kate King , The Timberland Company
603-773-1379

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Timberland Sets New Standard for Product Transparency and Increases Efforts to Minimize Environmental Impact; Environmentally-Friendly Packaging and ''Our Footprint'' Labeling Arrives on Shelves with Fall 2006 Line

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