Timberland has launched new footwear made of Community Cotton grown in Haiti, after the company re-introduced cotton farming in the country in partnership with the Smallholder Farmers Alliance (SFA). The company set out in 2016 to create a new supply chain for sustainable cotton, while at the same time advancing the reforestation of Haiti.
Timberland products using Community Cotton fiber are part of its Spring 2021 collection. Styles include the women’s Atlanta Green EK+ Sneakers, men’s True Cloud EK+ Sneakers and Caswell EK+ Bags. The EK+ nomenclature indicates that these are Earth keepers Edition styles, representing Timberland’s eco-innovations, the company said in a press release.
“Five years ago, Timberland set out with a vision to bring cotton farming back to Haiti after a 30-year hiatus. Today, we are incredibly proud to have a new source of responsibly-grown cotton. We branded it Community Cotton, because the agroforestry model plants trees, increases farm productivity, and enhances farmers’ incomes and lives,” said Atlanta McIlwraith, director of global community engagement and activation for Timberland.