Skechers USA Inc. announced that since 2016, the company has reduced its use of plastic in its footwear packaging by 85 percent to 10 percent of its foot forms, all of which is recyclable*.
The achievement is part of an aggressive strategy to increase the company’s use of sustainable packaging worldwide: 99 percent of Skechers-branded shoeboxes meet FSC standards for responsible sources, and 94 percent are recyclable, along with all of the company’s tissue paper packaging. All of Skechers’ packaging materials are also printed with soy- or water-based ink.
Included in Skechers’ global sustainability philosophy are its shipping methods. All of the company’s master cartons from its factories are printed with soy- or water-based ink and are 100 percent recyclable, and at the distribution centers managing more than 90 percent of its business, its outbound shipping cartons are made with 96-100 percent recyclable materials and are 100 percent recyclable.
“As the third largest worldwide athletic lifestyle footwear brand with more than 170 million pairs expected to ship this year, we want to be as forward-thinking with our packaging and shipping of our product – and these sustainable improvements can have a tremendous impact on the world,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “I’m proud of the ongoing efforts we are making to reduce our footprint as we’ve increased our global presence – and look forward to progressing these initiatives as we continue to find ways to lower our impact on the environment.”
In recent years, Skechers has made environmental responsibility a priority as it expands globally. From the company’s Moreno Valley distribution center for North America to its upcoming Manhattan and Hermosa Beach offices expected to open in 2020, numerous Skechers facilities have or are slated to achieve LEED Gold certification for their sustainable features, which include natural lighting, drought-tolerant landscaping, renewable energy and reduced waste.
*Recycling guidelines, practices and capabilities vary in communities around the world; packaging may not be recyclable in all areas.
