Crocs Inc. released its 2014 sustainability report that showed progress around social compliance audits at its Asian factories and a reduction in hazardous emissions in the production process.
The third annual report provides an update on the company's sustainability-related accomplishments and objectives in the areas of Workplace & Supply Chain, Environment, and Community & Employee Engagement.
The report was developed using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting framework. These GRI "third-generation" sustainability-reporting guidelines are used by more than 3,000 organizations worldwide to provide a common standard for producing sustainability reports.
"Sustainability is a core priority at Crocs," said Scott Crutchfield, chief operating officer at Crocs. "This means that we are always looking for ways to lessen our environmental impact, ensure our people are safe and cared for and that our partners and our communities are supported to the best of our ability. We're proud of the progress we made in 2014, but recognize that there's more work to be done when it comes to our ongoing commitment to make the world a better and more comfortable place."
This year's report is organized in three sections: Workplace & Supply Chain; Environment; and Community & Employee Engagement. Key accomplishments in these areas included:
Completion of 138 social compliance audits with Crocs' Asia contract manufacturers and an additional nine audits led by its company-owned Mexico manufacturer. As a result of these audits, the company's Asia tier-one contract manufacturers scored an average of approximately 90 percent.Reduction of emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) per pair of shoes manufactured by more than 17 percent compared to a 2013 baseline, as a result of switching to water-based adhesives.Launch of a program to re-use rubber scrap in operations from two key Asia suppliers for factories using compression molding processes. Crocs maintains one of the lowest solid waste per-pair levels in the footwear industry among companies that publish this metric.Support for partnerships with There with Care, an organization that provides services to low-income families with children facing critical illness, and the Breast Cancer Welfare Association of Malaysia including monetary support, donation of Crocs footwear and employee-led fundraising efforts.
