UK’s iconic heritage brand, Hunter Boots, launches its own sustainability initiative, joining hands with brands like Pangaia and Ralph Lauren.
Sustainability has become more than just a trending topic; it is something that we need to take actions for the planet. And it seems that fashion brands are slowly evolving to incorporate sustainability practices for a greener future. Hunter Boots’ initiative pledges to protect and support communities, forests, and resources. The company’s goal is to recycle and repurpose materials and reduce carbon footprint.
Hunter Boots, a UK footwear brand is the latest participant in the circular economy with its new sustainability and accountability initiative. Known as the “Hunter Protect Manifesto”, the 7 pledges in the initiative include specific sustainability goals:
- The brand intends to make its rubber footwear FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified by 2025.
- The company intends to support endangered forests and the communities that depend on them through its partnership with World Land Trust.
- By 2022, the brand’s collection will include 65% FSC-certified Bloom algae, rubber, and recycled textiles.
- Next year, the brand also intends to make all of its packaging 100% recyclable.
- By 2022, the company will become carbon neutral across its global operations, reducing overall carbon emissions caused by fashion brands.
- In 2022, the company will also conduct inclusive leadership training to help its managerial staff understand its inclusion and diversity goals.
- Over the years, Hunter Boots have donated over 150,000 boots and plans to extend that number by 15,000. One of the pledges in the initiatives is to give away fully functional boots to charities that are prominently participating in the refugee crisis, pandemics, and natural disasters.
The Hunter Boots Manifesto stands on three pillars: protecting, forests, communities, and resources. The company is heavily focused on protecting forests and intends to use FSC-certified natural rubber in its next 125 products, which will make up about 14% of the overall collection.
Other Hunter Boots’ sustainability projects include the reboot initiative that helps consumers easily recycle old boots. The initiative allows customers to avail a free service to return the boots to First Mile (UK) and West Coast Rubber (US). The rubber recycled is repurposed for playground surfaces, equestrian arenas, and roads.
UK customers can send the boots directly to First Mile. Whereas in the US, Hunter Boots have partnered with Zappos to offer free UPS shipping. Japanese customers would also be able to send their boots for recycling by the end of 2021.
Recently, the brand launched its “Protect Our Forests collection,” which features its iconic tall and short boots. The Wellington boots in the Forest collection are created with natural vegan rubber sourced from FSC-certified forests. The company has pledged to donate the 5% of the first month’s profits to the World Land Trust. This donation will fund the salary of a forest ranger who serves as a frontline officer in protecting endangered forests and their species.
Rubber pollution is just as serious as plastic or textile pollution. It leaches chemicals in the soil and water as it decomposes, which harms plants and aquatic life. If you want to shop consciously, you can own the Hunter’s sustainable footwear made of natural rubber for around 115 pounds.
