Timberland Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Original Earthkeepers® Boot

Global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland announces an important milestone in its longstanding commitment to environmental responsibility – ten years since the launch of the Original Earthkeepers® 6-Inch Boot. To mark the anniversary and pay tribute to the product that fundamentally changed the company’s approach to product sustainability, Timberland today released a seasonal exclusive boot called the Eagle Bay.

Published 7 years ago | About a 3 minute read

The Original Earthkeepers® Boot, launched in fall 2007, was the most eco-conscious boot Timberland had ever made, incorporating materials such as 50 percent recycled PET linings and laces, 34 percent recycled rubber outsoles, and leather sourced from tanneries rated silver by the Leather Working Group for environmental best practices. Its success ultimately transformed the way Timberland thinks about sustainability across all of its product categories, in terms of materials as well as manufacturing processes.

“The boot we launched ten years ago was a catalyst for our commitment to be Earthkeepers in everything we do, and to integrate sustainability across all facets of our business,” said Colleen Vien, director of sustainability for Timberland. “It has been a tremendous journey thus far, but the work is never done. We look forward to continuing to innovate and identify new solutions to reduce the environmental impact of our products. This may be a ten year celebration, but we’re just getting started.”

Building off the legacy of Earthkeepers, Timberland took its efforts to new heights in 2016 with the announcement of the Timberland Environmental Product Standards (TEPS). With TEPS, the brand set category-specific environmental targets to increase its use of eco-preferred materials across every Timberland® product category. These targets include bold goals for the year 2020, including:

One hundred percent of footwear to include at least one material containing recycled, organic or renewable (ROR) content.
One hundred percent of footwear and outerwear leather to be sourced from tanneries that have earned a gold or silver rating from the Leather Working Group for following environmental best practices.
One hundred percent of apparel cotton to come from organic, US-origin or Better Cotton Initiative–certified sources.
One hundred percent of footwear and apparel to be PVC-free.

Transforming fashion through materials innovation

Join us as leaders from Crocs, Hilos, Marchon Eyewear, Planet FWD and Target discuss real-world examples, practical strategies, and supply chain considerations for developing eco-friendly clothing, shoes, and accessories that minimize waste and protect the planet — Tuesday, Oct. 15, at SB'24 San Diego.

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Timberland’s commitment to make responsible products has yielded impressive results to date. Through 2016:

84 percent of Timberland® footwear includes at least one material containing ROR content.
94 percent of leather in Timberland® products is rated either gold or silver by the Leather Working Group.
270 million plastic water bottles have been given new life in Timberland® footwear.

Made with the same silver-rated leathers, 50 percent recycled PET linings and 34 percent recycled rubber outsoles as the original, the new Eagle Bay is incredibly lightweight and updated with sleek, modern styling. It also features Timberland’s proprietary SensorFlexTM comfort system -- a three-layer outsole that delivers constant support, active cushioning and dynamic flex. The Eagle Bay will be available for a limited time in Timberland® specialty stores, select department and specialty stores and online, with a nubuck leather style launching July 18, and a mixed media silhouette in September. Suggested retail price ranges from $160 for the nubuck style to $180 for the mixed media version.

For more information on Timberland’s commitment to create responsible products, protect and preserve the outdoors and serve communities around the globe, visit www.timberland.com/responsibility.