S&S Activewear has made significant advancements in the realms of environmental, social, and governance (ESG), effectively raising the bar for suppliers in the promotional products industry. Their Make an Imprint program encompasses charitable initiatives that contribute to the community and innovative efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their facilities. In this Q&A, we chatted with Kayla Lindy, S&S Activewear’s ESG Specialist to delve into the details of these achievements and their impact on the industry.
The Folio: Tell us about the mission of the Make an Imprint Program and how it came to be.
Kayla Lindy: Community is everything at S&S Activewear! Our relationships are the foundation of who we are. Make an Imprint was founded on the belief that people are the driving force for change, and together we can have a larger impact than ever before. As such, our mission is to create a path towards cleaner and more sustainable energy, greater well-being for our community, and improved ethical business practices.
Folio: What main initiatives are part of the program?
KL: To work towards our goal of positive environmental and social impact, we’ve installed renewable energy sources at five of our distribution centers as well as our corporate office. Additionally, each of our distribution centers utilizes high-efficiency lighting and improved waste management systems. We’ve also partnered with Give Back Box to create a textile recycling program and have continued to grow our apparel grant program.
Folio: Tell us more about the Apparel Grant Program. Specifically, what does an interested charity need to know to apply?
KL: Every month, we award five organizations from all over the U.S. a retail value of $2,000 in the apparel of their choice. Organizations can either be a nonprofit with a 501(c)(3) designation, a religious organization, or an accredited school. Through an online portal, organizations can submit an application telling us a little bit about the work they’re doing and how they plan to use the grant. We’ve seen some amazing organizations receive apparel for their after-school programs, 5K’s, and fundraisers!
Folio: What are some steps S&S has taken to reduce the environmental impact of their facilities?
KL: With the installation of our solar panel systems, we’ve generated over 7.3M kWh of renewable energy, which is equivalent to 12 million miles not driven. Additionally, we’ve saved an estimated 120,000 gallons of water per year by cutting back on water consumption. These are just a few of the metrics we’ve gathered, and we’re continuously looking for more ways to improve our operations!
Folio: What initiatives or enhancements to the program are planned for 2024 and beyond?
KL: A big focus for us this year was to effectively capture relevant data so we can begin setting measurable goals and report YoY performance. Building off that data we are working to commit to Science Based Targets.
Additionally, we will be creating a formalized philanthropy program, as well as continuing to invest in the professional growth and development of our people.
Finally, later this year we are launching a redefined sustainable product category that outlines what S&S considers as a sustainable item. Sustainable Styles will have four key sub-categories, and each sub-category has several criteria a style must meet to qualify. Users will have improved functionality to filter by each of these four sub-categories on our website, as well as view the dedicated landing page that outlines our criteria.
Folio: What criteria must be met to be considered a sustainable product?
KL: Sustainable Styles consists of four sub-categories; Sustainable Materials, Sustainable Manufacturing, Socially Conscious Manufacturing, and Responsible Mindset. Sustainable Materials consider if the material is made from recycled or renewable resources. Sustainable Manufacturing ensures the processes used to create these products have minimal negative impact on the environment. Socially Conscious Manufacturing ensures high standards of ethical treatment of employees throughout all facets of the supply chain. Finally, Responsible Mindset means at least 1% of company sales or product sales are given to a nonprofit annually.
Folio: What advice do you have for other companies looking to start an ESG program?
KL: It’s important that an ESG program aligns with the company goals and mission as this helps create authenticity and buy-in. Setting up a framework that builds on these values will aid with program alignment and direction. From there, you can identify low-hanging fruit or quick wins to jumpstart your action plan. Any amount of progress should be counted as a success; it’s important that we work towards our goals together and create safer communities and actionable change for our planet.
A special thank you to Kayla Lindy for sharing an inside look at the latest ESG initiatives at S&S Activewear. It’s great to see positive change in action.
Learn more about S&S Activewear’s Make an Impact Program.
Is your company making a difference? We would love to hear your story! Share it with us at thefolio@facilisgroup.com.