Dick’s Sporting Goods, a Seattle-based outdoor and athletic retailer, has announced a ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as ‘forever chemicals,’ from the production of its own brand textile products. The decision comes in response to mounting concerns over the health hazards and environmental impact associated with PFAS. The move aligns with the actions taken by outdoor retailer REI and the implementation of state laws that restrict the use of forever chemicals in apparel and textiles.
While legislation restricting PFAS in textiles has been passed in California and New York, Dick’s Sporting Goods has extended its policy change nationwide. The retailer’s commitment to eliminating PFAS from its brand textiles has been commended by Mike Schade, director of Mind the Store, a program of Toxic-Free Future. Schade emphasised the importance of working with suppliers to evaluate the safety of alternatives, aiming to avoid substituting one toxic substance with another.
Toxic-Free Future, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness about hazardous chemicals, released a study in 2022 that detected PFAS in jackets and textiles sold by various brands, including Dick’s Sporting Goods and REI. The report highlighted that 72 per cent of items marketed as stain- or water-resistant contained PFAS, while none of the 13 items without such marketing claims appeared to contain the chemicals. The study assessed ten major retailers, including Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Target, Walmart, and others, revealing that none of them were completely free of PFAS in their products.
Dick’s Sporting Goods’ decision to ban forever chemicals from its brand textiles represents a significant step forward in promoting consumer safety and environmental sustainability. The company’s action aligns with growing awareness and regulatory efforts aimed at reducing the use and presence of PFAS in consumer products.
