Crocs Inc. released its 2013 sustainability report. The company's second report provides an update on its sustainability-related accomplishments and objectives, and sets goals in three categories: workplace and supplier standards, environmental management and community engagement.

The report was developed using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 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.
 
The 2013 report details the work being done to meet and exceed sustainability and corporate responsibility goals across the globe. Crocs focused on three main areas: Factories and Suppliers; Environment; and Communities. Crocs continues its work to strengthen employee safety and security, lessen its environmental impact and give back to the communities in which the company operates.
 
“At Crocs, we strive to support the communities where we live, work and do business through responsible stewardship and an eye on our environmental impacts,” said Scott Crutchfield, chief operating officer of Crocs. “Our efforts to improve sustainability practices are important to all of us at Crocs and we look forward to our continued work to make Crocs the best company that it can be.”
 
Environmental

Crocs worked throughout 2013 to make its products more environmentally friendly, without compromising comfort. In 2012, Crocs set out to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 10 percent per pair of shoes made. By 2013, Crocs had achieved a 16.5 percent reduction in VOCs per pair and will work toward another 10 percent reduction in 2014.

Beyond VOC's, Crocs completed its first green house gas (GHG) inventory in 2013. This assessment included both manufacturing facilities and global headquarters. More importantly, it provides a baseline to measure efficiencies and capitalize on our opportunities.

 
Crocs also made improvements in its retail locations, opening its first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified store in Syracuse, New York. The store is certified at the LEED Silver level and features a high-efficiency LED lighting system and low-VOC and sustainable building materials. Additionally, Crocs switched 70 percent of its global Crocs retail locations to LED light bulbs, leading to major reductions in energy use and a reduction in lighting costs.

Communities

Crocs is committed to bringing comfort and care to communities around the globe. Major efforts from the company's “Crocs Cares” program helped provide positive impacts.
 
In 2013, Crocs donated more than 50,000 pairs of shoes and raised more than $150,000 for non-profits and local organizations in disaster relief areas ranging from the Philippines and Haiti, to New Jersey and Colorado.
In its home state of Colorado, Crocs employees spent more than 200 hours volunteering for flood cleanup and fed more than 1,000 people in need through the sponsorship of a local food truck.
 
About the Report

The data in the report covers Crocs' eight largest owned and contract factories in 2013, as well as some data from its U.S. headquarters. These eight factories together produced more than 95 percent of Crocs' total production in the reporting year, which ranges from January 2013 December 2013. A Compliance Council, including leaders from across the company, oversees the sustainability program and reports, through the Chief Legal Officer, to the company's Board of Directors.

Crocs' 2013 sustainability report aligns with GRI at a Level B. For an infographic with highlights from the report, please visit http://company.crocs.com/our-company/sustainability/. Crocs welcomes comments on the report at responsibility@crocs.com.