The Synthetics Switch

What are football shirts made from? James Harkin (Head Researcher and Writer of the TV show QI and co-host of podcast No Such Thing As A Fish) brings to life the story behind the material. Jack and Kimberley discover how the first synthetic football shirt looked more like something from a 70s disco than the pitch. They also get an exclusive peek at the legendary Cameroon onesie jersey that was so bold, FIFA banned it. Later, they play a heated game where Jack and Kimberley come dangerously close to falling out…Watch the show on PUMA’s YouTubeFollow PUMA on InstagramFollow PUMA's Forever.Better. journey on foreverbetter.comBecause there's only one Forever... let's make it Better.Who Gives A Shirt is a FOREVER. BETTER. podcast, brought to you by PUMA. Produced by Mags Creative and MSL.Image credit:18:46 – PA Images 19:01 – Sportingimage Ltd

Why do football shirts even exist? Kimberley Cumberbatch steps into ex-footballer Jack Fowler’s world for the first time. Together, they talk to journalist and filmmaker Xaymaca Awoyungbo about the chaos of playing football before there were kits. They check out the itchy and impractical shirt worn in the first-ever international football match, and see how today’s designs avoid the flaws of the past while still nodding to history. Watch the show on PUMA’s YouTubeFollow PUMA on InstagramFollow PUMA's Forever.Better. journey on foreverbetter.comBecause there's only one Forever... let's make it Better.Who Gives A Shirt is a FOREVER. BETTER. podcast, brought to you by PUMA. Produced by Mags Creative and MSL.Glossary Sublimation: A design technique where you transfer an image onto material using heat. Image credit [06:06 and 06:27]: Harry Langton's shirt from the first-ever international football game, courtesy of the National Football Museum. This shirt is on display at the National Football Museum in Manchester.

For some, the football shirt is a badge of pride. For others, it’s just another bit of polyester.In this five-part series, ex-footballer Jack Fowler tries to make presenter Kimberley Cumberbatch “give a shirt” about the world’s most iconic sportswear.Along the way they meet journalists, podcasters, die-hard fans, designers and upcyclers to uncover how the shirt went from the pitch to the stands, onto the streets — and even into conversations about its impact on the planet.Will Jack convince Kimberley to give a shirt?This is a FOREVER. BETTER. podcast by PUMA.

Could you turn your trash into streetstyle look?  It’s the final episode of Green Flags and the competition stakes are higher than ever. Who will be crowned the ultimate Green Flag champion?  But before we get to the awards, the hosts have one last challenge. Andrew Burgess, one of PUMA’s Voices of a RE:GENERATION, tasks Maya, Oli, and Mo with creating a killer outfit for the awards ceremony—using only materials that would otherwise go to waste. Who will rise to the occasion with a fit that’s fit for a champion?  While stitching their masterpieces, the hosts learn about PUMA’s RE:FIBRE initiative, which turns polyester textile waste into fresh new threads. It’s a game-changer for reducing waste and taking steps toward a circular future.  Ever wondered how much polyester is in your wardrobe—or what happens to it once you’re done wearing it?  This episode dives into those questions and more, offering inspiration and practical tips to make sure you’re waving your own climate Green Flag.  Have you created an outfit from waste materials? We want to see it! Share your creations on social media using the hashtag #PUMAGREENFLAGS.  There’s only one Forever. Let’s make it Better.   Green Flags is a FOREVER.BETTER podcast, brought to you by PUMA. Produced by Mags Creative and MSL.   We used the following data and sources in this episode:   PUMA RE:FIBER The weight of adult elephants:WWF Quantity of cardboard packaging waste in the EU and recyclability of tape:EurostatRecycle NowCardboard recycling information:Business WastePlastic bag decomposition facts:WWFEstimate of the number of plastic bags used annually: The World CountsPetrol usage to make plastic bags: SPREPTextile waste annually Business WasteWater usage in paper production: Water FootprintPUMA’s Vision 2030 Sustainability Targets PUMA’s 2023 Sustainability report c8697c231cf1014b0ee649b0f2f7daf9ecb38aa2

Can you really power your phone with a potato?   In this episode, PUMA challenges Maya, Oli, and Mo to see if they can generate their own electricity. But here’s the twist: some of their equipment is a little… unconventional. The host who generates the most watts will take home this week’s Green Flag.  As they battle it out, the hosts also dive into the bigger picture of renewable energy. While individuals can easily switch to renewable providers at home, brands face a tougher challenge across their supply chains. PUMA, however, has taken this challenge seriously with 22% of the electricity in their supply chain now coming from renewable sources, and they aim to hit 25% by 2025.  Do you know how long you’d have to pedal on an energy bike to charge your smartphone? Or how effective a solar panel is on a cloudy day?  It’s time to rethink the electricity we use and where it comes from. Ready to fly your own climate Green Flag when it comes to energy?  Have you made the switch to a 100% renewable energy provider in your home, if so — tell us about it, using the hashtag #PUMAGREENFLAGS.   There’s only one Forever. Let’s make it Better.   Green Flags is a FOREVER.BETTER podcast, brought to you by PUMA. Produced by Mags Creative and MSL.   We used the following data and sources in this episode:   10% of global emissions from the fashion industry https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/24/clothes-recycling-california-responsible-textile-recovery-act  Other reliable sources suggest this number is closer to 2%. See hereElectricity generated and what it could power We partnered with Electric Pedals, a human-powered events company when making this episode. We used their database when drawing comparisons between what the amount of electricity generated could power.  PUMA’s Vision 2030 Sustainability Targets https://about.puma.com/en/sustainability/our-targets/vision-2030  PUMA’s 2023 Sustainability report https://annual-report.puma.com/2023/en/sustainability/climate/index.html  Content CorrectionWe say in this episode that renewable energy is created without CO2 being released, which isn’t strictly true. There are still some CO2 emissions created in the production of renewable energy, but the quantity is much lower than energy created using non-renewable sources. 

Do you have a favourite pair of shoes? What memories do you associate with them?This week, Maya, Oli, and Mo open their kicks cupboard and invite you all to walk a mile in their shoes – sharing stories that span from the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium to cherished heirlooms—and even a nod to Rihanna herself.But it’s not all nostalgia! Aishwarya Sharma, one of PUMA’s Voices of a RE:GENERATION, shakes things up with a healthy dose of competitive spirit — challenging the hosts to a quiz about leather and its alternatives. The hosts discover why leather is such a hot topic, as Aishwarya dives into the questions PUMA has been exploring for years about this material and its alternatives.Do you know how many pairs of trainers can be made from one kilogram of leather? Or what pineapples have to do with your kicks?If not, it’s time to #KNOWYOURSTUFF! Tune in to learn more about leather, its alternatives, and why understanding the materials we wear matters.Do you have a pair of kicks with some special memories? Tell us about them using the hashtag #PUMAGREENFLAGS.If you want to find out more about leather and its alternatives, check out Aishwarya Sharma’s #KNOWYOURSTUFF series here https://foreverbetter.com/en/voices-regeneration/knowyourstuff There’s only one Forever. Let’s make it Better.Green Flags is a FOREVER.BETTER podcast, brought to you by PUMA. Produced by Mags Creative and MSL.We used the following data and sources in this episode:• Cowhide wastehttp://nothing-to-hide.org/LeatherFacts • Piñatexhttps://hozencollection.com/blogs/hozen-blog/what-is-pinatex-and-how-is-it-made#:~:text=The%20stems%20and%20leaves%20of,is%20an%20exceptionally%20natural%20textile. • Know Your Stuffhttps://foreverbetter.com/en/voices-regeneration/knowyourstuff • PUMA’s Vision 2030 Sustainability Targetshttps://about.puma.com/en/sustainability/our-targets/vision-2030 • PUMA’s 2023 Sustainability reporthttps://annual-report.puma.com/2023/en/sustainability/climate/index.html 

Ever wondered how to smooth out pesky creases in your favourite sneaks? Or just how long clothes takes to decompose?This week on Green Flags, PUMA challenges Maya, Mo, and Oli to rescue an old fit or pair of kicks and bring them back into their wardrobe rotation. It’s all about making what’s old new again—and earning a green flag along the way.As the hosts show off their rescued pieces, they dive into the concept of circularity in sportswear and fashion. Circularity means taking fewer resources from the earth and reducing waste by extending the life of what we already have. Listen in to learn why circular fashion is so vital—and why it’s one of PUMA’s core sustainability goals.Join Maya, Oli, and Mo as they uncover the answers (and more!) and discover simple ways to wave your own climate Green Flag.Because there’s only one Forever… let’s make it Better.Green Flags is a FOREVER.BETTER podcast, brought to you by PUMA. Produced by Mags Creative and MSL.Have you revived or repaired an old fit or pair of kicks? Share your stories on social media using the hashtag #PUMAGREENFLAGS - we’d love to see them!• You can find out more about PUMA’s RE:HACKS series by following this link.We used the following data and sources in this episode:• Information about polyester production and its decomposition:The GuardianUniversity of Wollongong, AustraliaForbes• Ghana’s second-hand clothes market:The GuardianThe Guardian• The decomposition timelines of cotton:The GuardianClose The LoopThe Slow Label• The decomposition of trainer solesThe Guardian• PUMA’s Vision 2030 Sustainability Targets• PUMA’s 2023 Sustainability report

For the first Green Flags challenge, PUMA surprises Maya, Oli, and Moses by asking them to crunch the numbers on their daily greenhouse gas emissions. Spoiler alert: the results might just make you rethink your morning routine!With help from Luke Jacque-Rodney—one of PUMA’s Voices of a RE:GENERATION—the hosts begin to uncover the real impact of their everyday choices on the planet. Along the way, they also explore the steps PUMA has already taken to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions.Ever wondered how much greenhouse gas two poached eggs are responsible for? Or whether taking the train is greener than riding in an electric car?If you’re curious (or clueless!), join Maya, Oli, and Mo as they find out the answers to these questions and plenty more. Plus, get ready to pick up some easy tips and tricks to make sure you’re flying your own Green Flag and not a climate red flag.Because there’s only one Forever… let’s make it Better.Green Flags is a FOREVER.BETTER podcast, brought to you by PUMA. Produced by Mags Creative and MSL.Have you made any small changes to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions? We want to hear about them! Share your actions on social media using the hashtag #PUMAGREENFLAGS.We used the following data and sources in this episodeTo estimate the greenhouse gas emissions from the host’s journeys: https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint Electric car emissions account for the emissions from the car's use phase. It accounts for the emissions created from generating electricity to run the vehicle.To estimate the greenhouse gas emissions from the host’s breakfast choices:https://myemissions.co/resources/food-carbon-footprint-calculator/ Football match cancellations: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/storm-babet-chris-boardman-scottish-tammy-beaumont-swansea-B2452094.html Climate Refugee Figures: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2021/698753/EPRS_BRI(2021)698753_EN.pdf PUMA’s emission reductions equivalent to cars off the road:https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator Throughout this episode, we measure the host’s greenhouse gas emissions using CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent.) CO2e is a unit of measurement that converts the emissions of various greenhouse gases into the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.PUMA’s Vision 2030 Sustainability Targets https://about.puma.com/en/sustainability/our-targets/vision-2030 PUMA’s 2023 Sustainability reporthttps://annual-report.puma.com/2023/en/sustainability/climate/index.html 

Maya Le Tissier, Man United captain and Lioness, Oli Bromfield, fashion and lifestyle Guru, and Moses Duckrell, pro-footballer turned content creator, are on a mission to become more climate-conscious – because caring for the planet is the ultimate green flag… right?  Welcome to Green Flags, a FOREVER. BETTER podcast by PUMA. Each week, they’ll take on unexpected challenges to show you how small changes in your everyday life can add up to a big difference for the planet. Think generating your own electricity for a day or turning trash into wearable treasure – every challenge is rooted in five key areas of sustainability inspired by PUMA’s Vision 2030 Sustainability targets. And while they’re racing to outdo each other, you’ll pick up tips and ideas to bring into your own life. So, get ready for some friendly competition as our hosts try to score the most points and win the Green Flags trophy.  Because there’s only one Forever… let’s make it Better.Green Flags is a FOREVER.BETTER podcast, brought to you by PUMA. Produced by Mags Creative and MSL.

In this episode, Head of Knowledge Exchange at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion Monica Buchan-Ng speaks with PUMA’s Chief Sourcing Officer, Anne-Laure Descours about factory worker’s working conditions in the textile industry. They also discuss what progress has been made since the tragic incident at Rana Plaza ten years ago.—------PUMA has ten target areas, each with a set of goals, that we are striving to reach by 2025. This episode focuses on the target area of Health and Safety.Ensuring safe working conditions for our own employees and hundreds of thousands of indirect employees at our manufacturing partners is an ethical imperative, but also makes good business sense.What it actually means: A safe workplace is a top priority at PUMA and we continuously carry out building safety inspections among high-risk factories in our supply chain. In 2021 we were able to conduct the structural/fire/electrical safety inspection at three suppliers from Pakistan and India. At the headquarters level, we operate an occupational health and safety committee, which includes a specialised labour physician, a health and safety technician and employee representatives.Goal 1: Zero fatal accidents (PUMA and suppliers)In 2022 we recorded two factory employee deaths resulting from work-related accidents in Bangladesh in two different factories. Both factories paid the legal compensation to the worker's family. PUMA collaborated with Better Work Bangladesh for joint monitoring and regular follow up on the actions taken to prevent future occurrence of such accidents. We deeply regret these tragic accidents.Goal 2: Reduce accident rate to 0.5 (PUMA and suppliers)As we believe that the health and safety of the people working for PUMA and in PUMA production always come first, we will continue to work with our own entities and suppliers to avoid disease and accidents.Goal 3: Building safety policy operational in all high-risk countriesFrom 2015 to the end of 2022, our Building Safety Assessment Program covered Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.PUMA publishes all of its progress, challenges and setbacks in its Sustainability Report. You can find the 2022 report online now by going to about.puma.com