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Experts Discussing Key Issues Around Sustainability
PODCAST 213: Tiffany Beers on software people should use during these turbulent times, new sustainable footwear, digital events, and more! LISTEN
ARTICLE: how companies can lessen their global footprint while increasing their bottom line. Find 8 easy steps to greater sustainability here!
FOOTWEAR INNOVATION VIDEO: An in-depth discussion on sustainability and recyclability of footwear through the lens of Adidas' Futurecraft Loop WATCH
PODCAST 154: FDRA's Footwear Innovation Advisor Tiffany Beers joins Shoe-In Show as the crew discusses updates on renewable materials. WATCH
Latest News
Top News Articles We've Seen Around Sustainability
Caleres Sustainability Goals — Environmentally-Preferred Materials for 100% of products by 2025 READ NOW
Converse used 7,000 second-hand Hawaiian shirts to create these sneakers READ NOW
Ugg’s 5-Year Sustainability Efforts Bear Fruit With New Plant Power Capsule Collection READ NOW
Saucony Originals launch zero-percent plastic shoe READ NOW
Steve Madden’s New Cool Planet Brand Points the Way to Making Sustainable Fashion Affordable READ NOW
- FDRA Programs and Resources
FDRA's Footwear Factory Zero Waste Program is focused on creating a waste diversion program that proves a return on investment for both brands and manufacturers. It is aimed at optimizing material use and manufacturing practices as well as helping factories understand and implement recycling programs. Learn more here.
FDRA helped create the Material Exchange — a platform focused on helping brands and material suppliers cut down on material waste prior to usage through better material selection, as well as helping brands be able to see sustainability specs of materials before development begins. ME will help eliminate tons of material waste over time.
Sustainability and Responsible Sourcing Organizations
Non profit groups that focus on footwear material development and the manufacturing processes
The objective of this multi-stakeholder group is to develop and maintain a protocol that assesses the environmental compliance and performance capabilities of leather manufacturers and promotes sustainable and appropriate environmental business practices within the leather industry.
The SAC is transforming the apparel, footwear, and textile industry through standardized measurement. For the first time, factories around the world can use the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module to measure social impacts of the value chain. And with the Higg Facility Environmental Module they can assess environmental impacts.
Members of the global cotton supply chain are now collectively addressing the negative impacts of mainstream cotton production by supporting this globally recognised definition, generating market demand for Better Cotton, and sharing information and knowledge to enable continuous improvement on everybody’s part.
The Responsible Wool Standard is an independent, voluntary standard. On farms, the certification ensures that sheep are treated with respect to their Five Freedoms and also ensures best practices in the management and protection of the land. Through the processing stages, certification ensures that wool from certified farms is properly identified and tracked.
OEKO-TEX® offers companies of the textile industry several certifications and services to have their products tested for harmful substances by independent institutes, and to optimize their production conditions and their supply chains with regard to sustainability.
An independent 3rd party certification ensuring that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.
BLUESIGN traces each textile’s path along the manufacturing process, making improvements at every stage from factory floor to finished product...As a solution provider and knowledge broker, BLUESIGN acts as an independent verifier to secure trust and transparency. Corresponding to this approach, BLUESIGN encourages the industry to increase their efforts in sustainable processes step by step.
Textile Exchange is a global non-profit that works closely with our members to drive industry transformation in preferred fibers, integrity and standards and responsible supply networks. We identify and share best practices regarding farming, materials, processing, traceability and product end-of-life in order to reduce the textile industry’s impact on the world’s water, soil and air, and the human population.
Resources for Measuring and Reporting Sustainability
& Legal Marketing Requirements
Below are guides and standards your company can use to better understand and measure sustainability
Resources for Biobased and Recycled Certifications
In the coming months and years, there will be a large movement to verify sustainability claims—especially with retailers requiring more and more product information for their websites. Here are some important programs to learn about as you explore working with a third-party lab to certify your material claims.
Learn about the USDA's BioPreferred Program, created to increase the purchase and use of biobased products, which reduces our nation's reliance on petroleum, increases the use of renewable agricultural resources, and contributes to reducing adverse environmental and health impacts.
View Webinar: The USDA BioPreferred® Program: Certified Biobased Content Brings Transparency to Natural Claims, presented by Kate Lewis, Senior Program Analyst from the USDA BioPreferred Program.
Learn about The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) goals to increase the use of recycled materials and protect the environment.
FDRA is the footwear industry's business and trade association. In all, FDRA supports nearly 500 companies and brands worldwide, representing 95% of total U.S. footwear sales, making it by far the largest and most respected American footwear trade and business association. Contact us if we can assist with your business, or you have questions about this site.
