SOLE TECHNOLOGY: eco-friendly skateboards shoes with one goal: Carbon Neutral in 2020.

Products:

a / Eco-design: In 2007, the company has measured that 58% of emissions come from the production of shoes, whereas 18% is for cardboard packaging and 8% for the transportation of products. In addition, 95 % of water consumption comes from the textile products. Given these facts, Sole Technology has decided to further optimize the design of its products: a mixture of resin and water acts as glue for shoes, the soles come from recycled old tires or from natural rubber and cotton is replaced by hemp or bamboo, which consumes less water than cotton. The packaging is recycled cardboard.

b / R & D: STI (Sole Technology Institute) filed many patents in bio-mechanics in order to protect the feet of its clients (ex: resistant fabrics, rough coated boards, violent shock absorbing soles, foot maintenance).

The building:

The head office in California was "eco-built" with recycled wood and stone for the panel floors and walls, maximum natural lighting, reinforced insulation, and water saving instalments (ex waterless urinals). Since 2007, 616 solar panels have provided autonomy of energy at the headquarters. A "Blue Bin Brigade" (internal committee comprising the directors of each department) aim to recycle 70% of the waste of the site (United States average 30%, California: 50%).

Awareness of its stakeholders:

Employees: a "green" convention every 6 months

Suppliers (Chinese): awareness of air quality, environmental pact and follow-up audits. Encouraging suppliers to provide hydraulic energy rather than coal.

Customers: For every purchase in the 100% recycled Seed range, a tree is planted in Costa Rica and, more generally 1% of profits are donated to environmental organizations.

Public: co-production of the documentary on the environment (The 11th Hour, the last turn, by Leonardo Di Caprio). Participation in conferences on the protection of the environment (ex Earth University 2011).