Brooks has developed a code of conduct for its suppliers. This code of conduct has several environmental and social guidelines that all partners in the production chain must adhere to.
To see how the suppliers comply with the code of conduct, the American brand uses the Higg Index Facility Environmental Module (FEM). The Higg Index is a self-assessment standard for the apparel and footwear industry to assess sustainability in terms of ecology and working conditions throughout the supply chain. It regularly surveys garment workers and provides a feedback loop to verify compliance with the code of conduct by factory owners.
In 2021, as a Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) member and a signatory of the SLCP, they aligned with the apparel and footwear industry by fully adopting the SLCP CAF and replacing their traditional third-party audit approach.
Brooks has been driven to integrate more sustainable materials into its running shoes. In doing so, the American brand focuses on the most commonly used materials: polyester, E.V.A (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) and Rubber.
E.V.A is a soft plastic that has the same qualities as rubber and is produced without adding harmful substances. Compared to other plastics, this plastic can withstand heat, cold and UV better, making it a popular material for athletic shoes.
For the polyester, Brooks uses some recycled polyester. However, the source of the recycled polyester is unknown. Therefore, we can’t guarantee that it’s more sustainable. All mid-soles contain organic, non-toxic, additives, making it biodegradable 50 times faster than E.V.A if it ended up in a landfill.
To keep harmful substances out of production, Brooks has been Bluesign certified since 2014. Bluesign is an organization that connects chemical suppliers, textile manufacturers and brands, all member partners aim to reduce waste. This allows Brooks’ production team to make better choices regarding materials, dyes and detergents.
Avoiding waste starts with smart design. That’s why Brooks has developed a program that optimizes the patterns of the shoes, minimizing the amount of waste during production. Because Brooks only incorporates a limited number of materials in their shoes, they are easier to recycle after use.
Brooks had its carbon footprint calculated in collaboration with an external consulting firm in order to further reduce its emissions in the coming years. They work dutifully to systematically improve on all facets and this is transparently reflected in their annual CSR report.
The Seattle headquarters is LEED (leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum certified. An independent certification for environmentally friendly and energy efficient buildings. Brooks’ headquarters uses 75% less energy and water than a general office building.
Brooks currently operates a linear business model in which non-renewable resources are extracted, materials are manufactured, its product is assembled, consumers use its product, after which there is no end-of-life solution, and it ultimately ends up in landfill or incineration. However, Brooks is committed to launching the first fully circular Brooks performance running shoes and apparel by 2030.
Brooks’ suppliers are located in China, Vietnam, El Salvador, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and the US.
At Brooks, they know that a responsible global supply chain starts with the decisions they make. That is why they establish long-term partnerships with factories that share their objectives to trace their supply chain, respect human rights, promote factory employee voice and reduce environmental impact.
The extensive and complex supply chain for footwear and apparel makes visibility difficult. That’s why they have invested in a software solution called TrusTrace that helps them continuously discover and track factories throughout Brooks’ supply chain. They use this visibility into their supply chain to identify and mitigate responsible sourcing risks, increase due diligence for customs compliance and identify business continuity risks.
They use very little leather but they recognize the impact this material type has both on the planet and on animal welfare. But they are working towards a plant-based or synthetic leather alternative to replace animal leather. In the interim, they continue to source only leather from Leather Working Group (LWG) Gold certified tanneries.
Also, they use very little wool but they are working toward sourcing only Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified wool.
They have a comprehensive wear test program that ensures they live up to their promise that their product performs just as well on the 400th mile as the first, and they are improving the accuracy of data to track product use and performance in order to further improve product durability and longevity.
Brooks has a resale platform for gently used shoes, called “ReStart” , where they offer second-hand shoes that still have a lot of kilometers left on them.
Also, they are currently focused on developing a product take-back program and researching end-of-life solutions for collected products.
Brooks is very transparent! In an effort to be more transparent about where its products and materials are manufactured, Brooks has aligned itself with the Transparency Pledge, a pledge for apparel and footwear companies to publicly show their commitment to greater transparency in the manufacturing supply chain. They publicly disclose their Tier 1 factories and Tier 2 factories, which can be found on their website.
Also, on its website you can find an overview of the (chemical) substances used, the supply chain transparency statement and their corporate responsibility performance report.
Conclusion
Searching for go-to-support? Seeking supreme softness? Looking for your fast track? Brooks got shoes specifically designed for your body and goals.
