GET TO READY TO #KNOWYOURSTUFF

EPISODE 1

Have you ever considered the environmental or social impact of the different materials found in your wardrobe? And if you had the facts, would you choose differently? Introducing #KnowYourStuff - a content series created to educate. Join Aishwarya Sharma, one of PUMAs Voices of a RE:GENERATION on her mission to unpack one of today’s most talked about material debates: Leather vs. Vegan Leather.

LEATHER: THE PROS AND CONS

EPISODE 2

This discussion covers the complex interplay between sustainability, ethics, and industry practices in leather production. Discussing the topic first-hand with experts from PUMA and PETA, Aishwarya unpacks the hard facts, advantages, and disadvantages of leather. She also explores environmental concerns, animal welfare and examines how leather can be a by-product of the beef industry.  

PUMA EVER EVOLVING MATERIALS 

EPISODE 3

At PUMA Headquarters, Aishwarya explores the evolution of PUMA’s material use in PUMA's archives with Romain Girard, Vice President of Innovation, and Ulrich Planer, Lead PUMA Archive. They discuss the use of leather in PUMA's footwear and some of the alternatives to leather like K-BETTER™, a vegan alternative replacing kangaroo leather. 

THE CHEMICALS OF LEATHER

EPISODE 4

Aishwarya visits one of PUMA's core leather suppliers, to explore leather production first-hand. She learns about leather tanning and the role of chemicals used in the tanning process. Aishwarya also investigates efforts to improve these processes for better environmental outcomes, such as the innovative Zeology technology. 

WHAT ABOUT THE WATER

EPISODE 5

Water is used to clean and treat hides during the leather tanning process. Aishwarya has a question – what happens to the wastewater at the end of the process? Aishwarya spends time at a leather tannery water treatment plant and discovers what happens to the wastewater before it is released.  

LEATHER AND ITS ALTERNATIVES

EPISODE 6

Aishwarya returns to PUMA to speak with Romain Girard, Vice President of Innovation, about leather alternatives. What's on the horizon? What's scalable? And is a 100% plastic shoe really a bad thing? Together, they explore PUMA's experiments and prototypes, including materials derived from pineapples, mushrooms, and olives. 

DO YOU #KNOWYOURSTUFF?

EPISODE 7

So, what do we know now? Aishwarya has explored the pros and cons of leather, along with environmental impacts, its role as a by-product, animal welfare, and more sustainable practices. And she's discovered various alternatives, from plant-based to synthetic options. Now, it's your turn to apply this knowledge. Investigate materials in your wardrobe and share your findings using the hashtag #KnowYourStuff. Remember, being informed empowers you to make choices aligned with your values.