TALK about green toes. Taking a step in your flip-flops is one step toward saving the country’s remaining rainforests.

As Ipanema GB Seeds collection hits stores on Feb. 16, its local distributor, Elro Commercial and Industrial Corp., announces its project with Haribon Foundation to support the environment organization’s “Rainforestation” efforts.

Elro managing director Francisco “Patxi” Elizalde said his company will allocate a percentage of its sales revenues from the footwear collection to Haribon’s “ROAD to 2020” (Rainforestation Organizations and Advocates) program to replant 1 million hectares of Philippine rainforests by year 2020.

“Haribon will provide a specific area in the Caliraya Watershed that will be identified for the planting of these trees,” Elizalde added. “They will provide us with the seedlings, the upkeep for one year and allow us the mobilization to witness this.”

Caliraya is one of the target areas of Haribon, a government land and watershed that provides water supply to Metro Manila.

Ipanema is a brand owned by the Brazilian company called Grendene, which has built a name in part for its environment advocacies. It also owns the footwear brands Grendha and Rider. A few years ago, it signed up Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen as spokesmodel for its green projects and to design a special eponymous line. This year, Bundchen has the GB Seeds collection, and Grendene’s project is reforestation.

The environment program is optional for Grendene distributors worldwide, Elizalde said, but “it’s good for corporate image and the environment, which we plan to get involved in.”

While Ipanema isn’t strictly an environment-friendly product—it’s made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a synthetic resin—“the processes in producing and the systems in terms of environment conservation that the factories are implementing are all in place,” Elizalde said.

“They recycle a lot of the PVC. The water and power conservation are legendary in Brazil.” The GB line is made entirely of recycled materials, he added.

Haribon could only welcome such efforts from the private sector.

“We help the government but it’s difficult because they have other priorities. The environment is the least of them,” lamented Blas Tabaranza Jr. Haribon’s operations group director.

“[Forest restoration] has been what we’ve neglected for the past 50 years. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has forgotten this part of its job and we’re trying to fill this gap. That’s why we’d rather work with the nongovernment sector. We find more interested people to help the cause.”

“ROAD to 2020” was triggered by the tragedy that killed 2,000 people in 2004 in General Nakar, Quezon, Tabaranza said.

In 2005, Haribon started gathering one million signatures for a total log ban and no mining in the remaining natural forests. The organization decided to translate the one million signatures to one million hectares of replanted land.

Apart from Caliraya, Haribon has other areas of interests across the country. But for the Elro project, they want to concentrate on Caliraya to remind people of the urgency of replanting the locale of its main water source.

But even with support of private agencies, replanting an area that vast seems like shooting for the moon. A hectare of land calls for 2,500 seedlings, each costing P75. However, Haribon is hoping that with a few pesos from corporate funding, it can make a dent on its target.

Raising consciousness among Filipinos alone is tough.

“If you compare now to 10 years ago, it has increased tremendously, though still not as high as in other countries,” Tabaranza said. “But to convert that consciousness into action is another thing… We can’t do it alone. If we are to survive as a nation, everybody should pitch in.”

In March, Elro will hold the “Walk the Green Mile” event still in line with “ROAD to 2020.” Everyone interested to join the cause will walk a mile from several points in Makati to a central meeting area, and converge for several activities like fashion shows, raffles and street party. Elizalde said they would invite representatives from other potential groups to join.

Every purchase of an Ipanema GB Seeds pair will come with a certificate of donation, which the company will pass on to Haribon. (The collection will be available at SM Department Store, Shoe Salon, Chocolate Clothing Company, Red Alert, Landmark, Freeway, Planet Sports, Crossings, Chimes Davao, 25th Avenue Square Naga, Basix Bacolod.)

Individuals or companies who wish to do their own thing can buy seeds directly from Haribon’s website (www.haribon.org.ph). Haribon can plant the seeds for them or they could volunteer for the actual planting. A planting is scheduled for every 500 seedlings purchased.