Committed to sustainability, creating long-lasting products through sustainable production practices. Cutter & Buck focuses on Sustainability Objectives in three areas: Sustainable Products, Sustainable Operations, and Sustainable Production.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS | Harmony Is Possible
Committed to 90% sustainable products by 2025, Cutter & Buck believes harmony is possible between business, nature, and society in sustainable apparel.
SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS | Zero Air Freight & Digital Materials
Cutter & Buck eliminated 99% of all air freight from their supply chain. Why? Shipping via sea freight reduces CO2 emissions at an average rate of 20-30X.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION | Fair Labor Organization
Cutter & Buck is an affiliate of the Fair Labour Association to ensure equitable treatment of everyone throughout their supply chain. Accountability and transparency are key.
In 2020, alphabroder | Prime Line allocated additional resources to examine their sustainability protocols and establish a corporate "Green Team" initiative. The "Green Team" is a dedicated cross-functional team passionate about all things sustainable.
Working with their facilities and partners, they are forging a new path at alphabroder | Prime Line. Their goal is to create a meaningful and measurable Environmental, Social & Governance Corporate platform. Identifying the good things they are already doing and improving those current processes and researching ways to improve their impact and industry with a mindset of continuous improvement.
Sustainable Materials
Products made with one or more forms of sustainable, recycled, or recyclable fabric or components.
Sustainable Manufacturing
Products made with sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient factories, processes, or dyes.
Responsible Mindset
Products that have a "giveback" aspect related to their sale, use, or production.
PCNA has defined 5 pillars detailing the attributes that qualify a brand to be included in their ProudPath portfolio, and they made their product portfolio easily sortable by those descriptors to make it simple to purchase with purpose.
Brands that Give Back | Ethical shopping made easy
Brands benefiting society or the environment through charitable/nonprofit donations and volunteering.
Eco-Friendly | Eco-friendly shopping made easy
Products or packaging that are sustainable or made with earth-friendly, non-toxic materials, e.g. recycled plastic, organic cotton, and more.
Owner Diversity | Owner diversity decoded
Brands that are accredited as: women, minority, veteran-owned, or small business.
Responsible Product Sourcing | Ethical product sourcing made simple
Brands committed to supply chain transparency, validated, and certified by 3rd party organizations.
B Corp Partners | Purpose-driven brands you can trust
We partner with Certified B Corporation brands that balance purpose with profit.
PCNA Impact by the numbers
PCNA partners with 1% For The Planet, a global network of businesses working to support people and the planet. Thus far, PCNA has contributed $1.6 million to non-profits working to improve water access, food security, and nature-based carbon solutions.
PCNA Standars & Certifications
2023 EcoVadis Silver Medal, UPS® Carbon Neutral, FSC® Certified, and the 2022 Sustainability Report.
The Authentic T-Shirt Company®/SanMar Canada realizes the importance of overseeing how products are made to minimize their environmental impact, lower their carbon footprint, and ensure that the people who bring their products to life are treated fairly for a future we all want to live in.
OEKO-TEX®
OEKO-TEX® is a third-party certification program for a trusted solution. OEKO-TEX® standards enable everyone to make responsible decisions and protect natural resources. Driven by sustainability and a dedication to transparency, their work is grounded in proven science.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
Check the label for apparel items that are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified. STANDARD 100 is one of the world's best-known labels for textiles tested for harmful substances. It stands for customer confidence and high product safety.
Every component of an article has to comply with the strict OEKO-TEX® test criteria, from the coating, the outer material, and the stitching, to the application and zipper. The test criteria are globally standardized and are updated at least once a year on the basis of new scientific information or statutory requirements. The tests are conducted and the certificates issued exclusively by neutral and independent OEKO-TEX® test institutes, and by using the number on the label, you can check the validity of the certification at any time.
OEKO-TEX® STeP Certification
STeP focuses on the certification of the entire production chain from the first thread to the final zipper. OEKO-TEX® STeP is constantly evolving to meet changing industry requirements, provide benchmarking, and guide facilities in continuous improvement. STeP analyzes all important areas of a company using 6 modules: Chemical management, Environmental performance, Environmental management, Social responsibility, Quality management, and Health protection and safety at work.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is grown without fossil fuel-derived pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
Recycled Materials
All of their recycled polyester is made from plastic, which is cleaned, shredded, converted into pellets, and then spun into high-quality yarn. In addition to reducing waste, recycled polyester lowers carbon emissions and diverts plastic bottles away from landfills and waterways.
Eco-Efficient
Their eco-efficient products aim to lower the environmental impact of their production and consumption while conserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and limiting waste.
Sustainable practices are ever-evolving. STORMTECH committed to minimizing their environmental impact and enhancing sustainable practices through responsible design, sourcing, and daily business operations.
Products Built to Last
STORMTECH creates timeless, high-quality products designed to extend product life and minimize environmental impact. STORMTECH backs up their commitment to quality workmanship with a 5-year warranty and has built out a sustainable product care program to extend product life and performance.
Product Testing
Their products are tested through third-party accredited testing laboratories according to the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colourists (AATCC), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), among others.
PFC-Free and PFAS-Compliant
STORMTECH has partnered with fabric mills and garment factories to find alternative, breathable water repellent treatments that are PFCFree without sacrificing the performance of their materials. With the introduction of their Fall 2023 collection, all materials used in production are now also PFAS compliant.
Product Safety
STORMTECH maintains a stringent Restricted Substances List (RSL) based on global standards and laws and a corresponding testing protocol that ensures their products meet these standards. The RSL protocol is following various substance-restricting laws and regulations, such as the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA), the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), California’s Proposition 65, and the AAFA Restricted Substance List (RSL).
Increased Use of Sustainable Materials
Sourcing recycled and sustainable materials for products is a top priority. This dedication to sustainable practices is reflected in every new product we develop. Their focus on recycled content ensures that our garments not only meet high-quality standards but also contribute to a more environmentally conscious industry.
Environmental Stewardship
STORMTECH is committed to reducing the environmental impact of their operations. They encourage their business partners to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations in the country of operation and encourage their whole supply chain to reduce the use of natural resources, to re-use where feasible, and to recycle whenever is possible.
STORMTECH’s Corporate Social Responsibility focuses on responsible sourcing practices, product safety, environmental stewardship, and giving back to local community organizations.
Responsible Sourcing
STORMTECH is firmly committed to selling products that are manufactured under legal, safe, and fair working conditions in factories where employees are treated fairly. Their Ethical Sourcing Policy is designed to ensure that their global sourcing supply chain operates in compliance with all applicable laws governing child labour, forced labour, wages, benefits, working hours, harassment, health and safety & factory security.
Protecting Our Oceans
STORMTECH is committed to the reduction of fiber fragmentation from textiles into the natural environment by 2030 and the reduction of microfibers and microplastics contributing to water pollution. Implementing stronger, low-shedding polyester fleece standards can significantly reduce the amount of microfibers and microplastics contributing to ocean pollution.
Protecting Our Forests
STORMTECH is committed to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) of sustainable sourcing of wood-based fibers, cellulosic fabrics, and paper products in a way that addresses the major environmental impacts associated with deforestation and forest degradation. All hang tags, cartons, and packaging are sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forest, recycled content, or other controlled wood sources.
Biodegradable Packaging
Since Spring 2022, all products are packaged with sustainable materials, including Oxo-biodegradable bags and FSC® certified cartons. All hang tags and packaging materials are also produced using recycled biodegradable inputs.
Prioritizing Animal Welfare
All STORMTECH products are feather-free and fur-free. Their Animal Derived Materials policy further outlines the restrictions on use of materials sourced from endangered animal habitats. Their guiding principles are the five freedoms of animal welfare as underlined by the World Organization for Animal Health https://www.oie.int/animal-welfare/
Charitable Giving
STORMTECH commits 1% of their total global sales to charitable initiatives focused on outdoor exploration and environmental stewardship through their 1:1 initiative. That means every STORMTECH purchase further empowers our partner organizations to make the world a better place. Through the Pure Earth Initiative, STOMTECH shares their passion for outdoor experiences by donating their products to youth organizations in order to cultivate a love, respect, and passion for the outdoors.
Suppliers and distributors have a symbiotic relationship; they need each other to be successful. HPG’s approach to sustainability is no different.
Carbon emissions reduction, championing social causes, and upholding responsible business practices are rightly all standard components of any company's ESG strategy. HPG will continue to benchmark today’s impact, set ambitious goals for the future, and report progress transparently every year.
But HPG’s core purpose is to serve distributors. It is only through this focus on our partnership that HPG has been able to supply millions of promotional products worldwide. HPG’s fundamental approach to ESG is to tap into that same collective potential. By doing so, HPG can have the greatest impact.
Our Priorities
Sustainability is a vast topic, so they have looked to experts both inside and outside of the industry to help guide and assess our priorities. HPG has decided to set them under three key categories: Environmental, Social, and Governance.
HPG’s 2023 Sustainability Report defines measurable E.S.G. goals for 2024 and beyond. HPG will be transparent about when they are successful and when they fall short. These goals will expand in scope and ambition every year as HPG learns and evolves.
Aligned with Global Goals
HPG is part of the UN Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative.
The United Nations has laid out a comprehensive framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as a roadmap towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all. These goals address interconnected global challenges, urging action to combat poverty, improve healthcare and education, reduce inequality, promote economic growth, tackle climate change, and preserve our vital ecosystems, including oceans and forests.
HPG recognizes the importance of aligning their sustainability efforts with these global objectives. From the UN's SDGs, HPG has pinpointed five areas where their actions can have a meaningful impact. Their efforts align with these specific areas, demonstrating their commitment to driving positive change in line with the broader global agenda.
Gemline believes in being responsible stewards of the planet. By taking purposeful action to minimize our environmental footprint, they are helping to protect our planet for generations to come.
2023 ACHIEVEMENTS
Solar
Gemline installed a Solar Power Generation System in late 2022 at their Lawrence, MA headquarters, which generated 39% of the power required to operate their facility in 2023.
Carbon Footprint
They reduced their Scope 1 (controlled by Gemline) and Scope 2 (purchased by Gemline) carbon footprint by 14.5%, resulting in a decrease in the amount of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG's) that their organization caused to get released into the environment.
Carbon Offsets
Gemline worked with One Tree Planted to purchase certified carbon offsets for their Scope 1 & 2 emissions from 2023. This initiative was divided between two distinguished projects in the United States, each accredited by the Climate Action Reserve. Noles Farm in North Carolina and Pungo River in South Carolina are Avoided Forest Conversion projects, protecting acres of forest from human development. Through Gemline’s support, 1,026 acres at Noles Farm and an additional 704 acres at Pungo River have been conserved for generations to come.
Carbon Neutral Program
Gemline is a participant in the UPS Carbon Neutral Program. In 2023, on behalf of Gemline, UPS mitigated 505.6 metric tons of CO2. This is the equivalent of CO2 emissions from 57,716 gallons of gasoline, or the annual CO2 emissions from 110 cars.
Packaging
Gemline purchased 447,055 shipping cartons in 2023, all made from at least 85% post-consumer waste. They reduced their packaging waste by 42% in 2023 by eliminating the use of 183k feet of traditional bubble wrap and transitioning to air pillow technology. The use of air pillows in packaging is more space-efficient than bubble wrap, resulting in less packaging, lighter boxes, and lower emissions from transportation.
Zero Landfill Facility
No waste from Gemline's headquarters and manufacturing operations in Lawrence, MA went into a landfill for the 5th consecutive year.
Helly Hansen creates professional-grade gear to help people stay and feel alive in the harshest environments in the world. Ever since Helly Hansen was founded by sea captain Helly Juell Hansen in 1877, they have developed high-quality gear to protect people at sea and in the mountains.
After 140+ years in business, Helly Hansen knows that long-term success can only be achieved by respecting, protecting, and promoting ethical values, human rights, and the environment. Helly Hansen is committed to continuing to advocate for the responsible use and enjoyment of the oceans, mountains, and the greater outdoors. By applying a holistic and scientific approach to all their decisions, they strive to ensure their actions support the possibility for people and the planet to thrive.
Materials & TECHNOLOGIES
Helly Hansens aspires to make products that can live through generations. Long-lasting products require durable materials, which is a priority for them and an advantage for the environment. Therefore, Helly Hansen constantly works to develop and choose materials with the lowest environmental impact.
Manufacturing - Fair working practices
The textile and garment industry is made up of a complex supply chain stretched all over the globe. It covers industries such as chemical suppliers, yarn spinners, material suppliers, and garment manufacturers, often situated in countries with weak social regulations.
Use – Long-lasting Products
For the past 140 years, Helly Hansen has developed and tested its technologies together with professionals living and working in some of the world’s harshest environments. Their spirit, experiences, and feedback are woven into every detail and every fiber of their garments. They design these garments to be durable and long-lasting for even the toughest critics.
End of Life
Central to Helly Hansen’s sustainability efforts is their focus on the quality, performance, and longevity of their products. With growing internal awareness around the textile waste challenges and opportunities to utilize products and materials in a second life, they are currently evaluating and researching possibilities for Helly Hansen to be a positive part of the circle.
kotmo was founded in 2014 with the intention of transforming the promotional items industry. kotmo designs, produces, and markets promotional products for companies concerned about their environmental and social impacts.
Since 2016, with its B Corp certification, kotmo has become a Canadian leader for responsible promotional items. The majority of their products are made in Quebec by local designers and manufacturers and meet high environmental requirements in order to have positive impacts now and for future generations.
For kotmo, sustainable development includes 4 major components — economic, social, ethical, and environmental. Their 2020-2022 Sustainable Development Plan brings together their responsible sourcing policy and supplier code of conduct and integrates 5 priorities linked to 3 UN goals to which they are committed to pursuing their sustainable vision.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
kotmo wants to be a player in access to decent work for all, including people from minorities. They are committed to working with SMEs and social reintegration companies in order to stimulate their growth and development.
Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
kotmo’s donations are voluntary; they want to be an integral part of the local community, and giving surplus production to NPOs that need it is, in their opinion, a good way to contribute to this.
Goal 12: Sustainable consumption and production
They want to play an important role in reducing the environmental impact of production by working as locally as possible and using more environmentally friendly materials. kotmo works to reduce impacts throughout the life cycle of their objects. They want to be an example of responsible consumption by offering objects that are designed and considered to have the least possible negative impact on the environment.
kotmo’s Priorities
MADE FREE believes that every gift can be meaningful and make a difference. Their collection of handcrafted totes, backpacks, and accessories supports sustainable employment and gives back to the communities that make them.
Sustainability is More than Materials
At MADE FREE, holistic sustainability means balancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. They use eco-friendly materials like 100% organic cotton canvas and biodegradable leather.
True sustainability also ensures the ethical treatment of their makers. By providing well-paying jobs, they help end slavery and extreme poverty.
Their lifetime guarantee reduces fashion waste, promoting a sustainable future for both people and the planet.
WOMEN, MADE FREE!
What if a simple purchase could help free a woman from injustice? With over 70% of those enslaved being female (at the time of this writing), the need for jobs that support freedom for women has never been greater. The MADE BY FREE WOMEN brand empowers women in the world’s most impoverished places through self-sustaining jobs that change lives.
HANDCRAFTED
Every MADE FREE item is meticulously handcrafted from the finest materials by their crafters in a clean, safe team-based environment. Crafters are trained to have the skills and tools necessary to construct the highest-quality products that last. From cutting, stitching, and embossing, there is great attention to detail. Their lifetime guarantee ensures accountability and a focus on quality over quantity.
ADDRESSING THE CORE ISSUE
The MADE FREE® model was designed to provide sustainable social reform, addressing the root cause of slavery and human trafficking: poverty and the need for sustainable ethical jobs that empower. Handouts of food, clothing, and water may help today, but don’t necessarily change the circumstances for tomorrow. Every purchase supports a day of freedom for your crafter through a sustainable job that provides for a dignified, empowered, and sustainable pathway out of extreme poverty while reducing the risk of being trafficked or enslaved. Every item is made in a factory that meets or exceeds the World Fair Trade Organizations (WFTO) standards.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is important to MADE FREE. Using eco-friendly, organic, and recycled materials where they can without compromising the quality, function, and price their customers expect. In addition, their lifetime guarantee supports a limited, curated personal collection of fewer quality items and a reduction of what we discard.
After dealing with serious waterborne illness firsthand, Helmi and Mehreen decided to dedicate their lives to giving safe water to those in need. Founding GROSCHE in 2006 with visions of a social enterprise that could change the world. They use the profits from the sales of their products to fund the GROSCHE SAFE WATER PROJECT.
What They Do
When you buy a GROSCHE product, you’re funding 50+ days of safe drinking water for someone in need via the GROSCHE Safe Water Project.
The Safe Water Project (SWP) provides people in need with safe drinking water through the construction and installation of Biosand water filters. Made with local skills and materials, these water filters purify contaminated water without the use of chemicals, electricity, or any replacement cartridges. Made of cement or clay and only using gravel and sand to biologically purify water, so it's safe to drink.
These biosand filters last up to 30 years, purifying water for a family of up to 10 people without any extra chemicals, cartridges, electricity, or moving parts and requiring little to no maintenance.
Sustainable Development
GROSCHE’s approach to giving back is one of empowering sustainable development. The filters GROSCHE funds are locally made and serviced, with local materials, by local people. They install the filters GROSCHE funds, as well as sell filters to those who can buy. This empowers GROSCHE’s teams to build skills, have a source of income, and gain sustainable employment that benefits those in need.
Where are GROSCHE’s projects located?
Biosand filters work in warm and temperate climates. Our Safe Water Projects and water filters are located in remote, mainly agricultural areas (with no access to electricity) in South Sudan, Uganda, Malawi, India, Pakistan, and The Philippines.