Background
Whether it's new swimsuits, jerseys, cycling shorts or fan merchandise - have you ever thought about how sustainable the textiles used in your club are?
In Germany alone, around €11 billion was spent on sportswear and shoes in 2020 (BMWi Sportwirtschaft as of 10/2021) and are therefore not only of central economic importance, especially as they are also produced under ecologically and socially problematic conditions.
Functional sportswear is predominantly made from synthetic fibers. These are produced from non-renewable raw materials - primarily crude oil - and with a high energy consumption and therefore have an enormous CO2 footprint. Wastewater and chemical management, hazardous waste and air pollution are further risk factors that also release heavy metals, microplastics and other pollutants into the soil, groundwater and air beyond the manufacturing process during use, but above all during disposal.
With its motto of fair play, popular and professional sport acts as a role model for society. This makes it all the more important to take responsibility in purchasing practices - for the observance of human rights and the preservation of the environment worldwide. A change in textile purchasing also strengthens the population's awareness of sustainable development.