New Balanceās green leaf standard indicates environmentally preferred material adoption across our footwear and apparel products. We call a material environmentally preferred based on its physical characteristics, like recycled, or based on its sustainable sourcing practices, like leather sourced from the Leather Working Group.
For apparel to meet New Balanceās green leaf standard, at least 50% of the materials in a garment must be sourced as environmentally preferred. For footwear, at least 50% of the materials in the upper must be sourced as environmentally preferred and at least one material in the midsole/outsole must contain approximately 3% biobased or 5% recycled content. Apparel and footwear upper material usage is calculated by pattern area. Details of how a product meets the green leaf standard can be found on its hangtag, garment care label.