Since 2011, through its global Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree program, Etnies has planted more than 200,000 trees to help replenish the severely deforested communities throughout Costa Rica and Brazil. Etnies is honored to announce its efforts have been recognized by the Surf Retailers Federation (SRF) and is the 2013 recipient of the esteemed Australian Surf Industry Environment Award for this reforestation initiative!

Etnies environmental initiatives, led by etnies owner and CEO Pierre-Andre Senizergues, have been at the forefront of the brands plans for a brighter future. These initiatives include pledging to become a carbon-neutral company by 2020; constructing the buildings of its U.S. and European headquarters with solar panels, water-saving technology and many other sustainable features; and of course, its Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree program. With help and support from etnies global team, including partner Quattro Sports representing the brand in Australia, the Buy a Shoe, Plant a tree program has been an international success and has begun to receive recognition from respected organizations like SRF.

“We are honored, appreciative and charged up to do more, especially after our team has received this award,” says Pierre-Andre Senizergues.  “For the last 13 years, we have been determined to reduce our carbon footprint and take a step in the right direction.  We are encouraged that our community realizes this need and embraces the importance of going in that direction.  This award is for everyone who has participated in this program — our consumers for voting for the environment with their purchase so that trees can be planted, our retailers and distributors for believing in it and making this program available, and for our internal team at etnies for supporting it and working with everyone to ensure that we have so many trees planted each year!”

Andy Derrick, National Sales Manager for etnies Australian distribution partner Quattro Sports, accepted the Environment Award at the Australian Surf Industry Awards in Sydney on etnies behalf (left photo) and starred in etnies Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree Make Wilko Plant Trees video (right photo).

The Australian Surf Industry Awards in Sydney, hosted by SRF, a non-profit organization founded and run by Surf Retailers, awarded etnies with the 2013 Environment Award for the brands Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree environmental initiative within the business community that achieved measurable results in the eyes of both SRF members and sponsors.

Through the Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree program, etnies plants a tree for every pair of shoes purchased from its designated mens, womens and kids collection, inviting people of all ages throughout the world to take part in reforesting the Earth. Detailed information, including a live tree counter, can be found by visiting the Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree site and watching etnies infographic video: http://etnies.com/buyashoeplantatree

Watch the etnies Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree video here:

etnies: http://etnies.com/buyashoeplantatree

Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/etniesvideo/buy-a-shoe-plant-a-tree

Now in its third year, the Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree program is on track to achieve its 2013 goal of planting 200,000 more trees in Sao Paulo, Brazil through the help of consumers and the brands continued reforestation nonprofit partner Trees for the Future.