Summary
New Balance has made significant strides in sustainability, particularly in renewable energy adoption and material sourcing. However, there is room for improvement in areas such as supply chain transparency, water conservation, waste reduction, and detailed reporting on labor practices and animal welfare.
Categories
10 total
New Balance has committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity for owned operations by 2025 and achieved 90% renewable electricity usage in 2023. The company is also working with suppliers to improve energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy.
New Balance demonstrates a commitment to transparency through its 'Responsible Leadership' strategy and publicly available Sustainability and Impact Reports. However, detailed disclosures on supply chain traceability and third-party audits are limited.
New Balance aims to source 100% preferred polyester by 2030 and has implemented the 'Green Leaf Standard' for sustainable materials. In 2022, approximately 19% of new footwear styles and over 60% of apparel met this standard.
The company has set Science Based Targets to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 60% and Scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030. In 2023, Scope 1 and 2 emissions were reduced by 59% from the 2019 baseline. However, Scope 3 emissions, which account for nearly 95% of the total footprint, have not shown significant progress.
The company sources leather from Leather Working Group (LWG) gold-rated tanneries and is a member of RE100, committing to 100% renewable electricity. Nonetheless, information on other certifications, such as Fair Trade or organic standards, is scarce.
New Balance aims to achieve zero waste to landfill in its footwear factories by 2025. Progress towards this goal is ongoing, but specific data on waste reduction achievements and sustainable packaging initiatives are limited.
New Balance has set goals to provide workplace engagement programs and training for workers in its supply chain by 2027. The company also plans to collect wage data and measure living wage progress by 2026. Detailed information on current labor practices and wage data is limited.
The company has set a goal to eliminate the discharge of hazardous chemicals by 2025 and is a signatory to the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero. Specific data on water usage reduction and wastewater treatment practices are not extensively disclosed.
The company emphasizes quality design for product longevity and is exploring circular systems like repair and recycling. Concrete programs or data on product take-back schemes or recycling rates are not prominently disclosed.
The company is transitioning to 100% preferred leather, including chrome-free and regenerative sources, by 2030. Information on policies regarding animal welfare beyond leather sourcing is not extensively provided.