etnies With An Industry First
Posted by: Alex | Tuesday, April 22, 2008
We, at etnies & Sole Tech, are celebrating Earth Day with the announcement of a project already years in the making; etnies is committed, and well on its way, to becoming the action sports industry's first carbon neutral company!
Whether or not you get what that means, you're probably familiar with the concept of carbon dioxide emissions and their devastating effect on global warming. The idea of carbon neutrality is to offset ALL emissions in various ways, so that the total is a big, fat, neutral zero. Makes sense, right? Being the realists that we are, we know it's much easier said than done... so what have we done so far? One major step we've taken is the completion of our first corporate eco-audit to measure the company’s overall carbon footprint.
“Corporate responsibility and environmental conservation have been at the forefront of our philosophy for many years and our commitment to making an impact on the consumer, the industry, and the planet is stronger than ever,” said Pierre Andre Senizergues, CEO and founder of Sole Technology. “As we release the results of our first eco-audit, we look to our team, our customers, and our partners in the action sports world to help us become a carbon neutral company that will pave the way for a greener future.”
Led by the company’s environmental affairs manager, Roian Atwood, the eco-audit examined the organization’s activities over the course of more than seven years, focusing predominantly on its carbon emissions, waste and consumption, and water usage. In addition to this detailed study, etnies has executed the installation of 616 solar panels, the conversion to water-based cement manufacturing, corporate wide-recycling efforts, and the creation of a seasonal sustainable footwear and apparel collection, the etnies SEED Project.
“We are confident that the future looks bright for eco-conscious corporations, and we strive to be a leader in the field every day,” said Atwood. “By sharing our findings and making a conscious effort to use the results to alter our business practices and impact on the environment, we hope to play a key role in changing today’s corporate culture for a stronger tomorrow.”
The Sole Technology eco-audit found that in 2007, the company generated 40,000 tons of CO2, equivalent to volume of 2.5 billion shoe boxes 58 percent of which came from footwear manufacturing and the emissions released in the development process through the use of coal-burning sources and electricity. Another 18 percent of its carbon emissions are attributed to the making of the brand’s cardboard boxes, and 8 percent is related to logistics and shipping.
In terms of waste and consumption, Sole Technology found that of the 72,000 pounds of internal trash it consumed, the company recycled 57 percent, exceeding the country’s national average of 30 percent, and California’s average of 50 percent. By 2010, Sole Technology’s goal is to recycle 70 percent of their waste with assistance from the Blue Bin Brigade, an internal committee of department executives whose goal it is to increase awareness and find environmentally-friendly means of conducting business.
“Given the harsh abuse on a skateboarder’s shoes, our industry is constantly challenged with the issue of consumption, which is why we strive to make the most durable, quality products in the market,” said Senizergues. “Building long lasting products that are sturdy and have a longer life with consumers is an important element to consider in the eco discussions related to manufacturing and consumption.”
The eco-audit determined that 95 percent of Sole Technology’s water usage is attributed to the company’s apparel development, an industry-wide concern among clothing manufacturers that is a leading cause of damage to the environment. By taking immediate actions on business offices such as installing waterless urinals that save 325,000 gallons of water annually and dual flush toilets, the company is already affecting its internal water usage as it continues to research innovative technologies that will also benefit the manufacturing process.
Senizergues’ personal commitment to the environment and ecologically conscious lifestyle has made him a trailblazer in the industry, having implemented green practices many years ago. In addition to his professional goals, Senizergues practices green living at home as well, and has been honored by Global Green USA with a Corporate Environmental Leadership Award for his environmental practices and corporate responsibility. He was also an executive producer with Leonardo DiCaprio on the documentary The 11th Hour about the effects of global warming and how society can prevent further damage.
Stay tuned for more news this week, including further details on our eco-audit results...
New SEED Project Collection!
Posted by: Alex | Tuesday, February 5, 2008etnies SEED is growing. Created in 2007 as an effort to reinforce our commitment to the environment and expand existing green initiatives, the SEED Project is an etnies line of eco-friendly fashions made with recycled, sustainable and organic materials. New for Spring 2008, etnies collaborated with San Diego-based artist Gary Benzel to produce new footwear and apparel styles for men and women. Check out the goods...
The 11th Hour, Revisited
Posted by: Brink | Friday, November 30, 2007
The following is a letter from Leonardo DiCaprio about the film, The 11th Hour, that opened in theaters in Fall 2007. The documentary features Sole Technology and etnies owner and president, Pierre Andre Senizergues and his efforts in going green, including the etnies SEED Project.
Friends,
I am writing to tell you about my new environmental film, “The 11th Hour.” The film documents the environmental crises we face and the solutions we must begin to implement.
With the help of over fifty of the world's most prominent thinkers and activists, including reformer Mikhail Gorbachev, physicist Stephen Hawking, and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai, “The 11th Hour” documents the grave problems facing the planet's life systems. Global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and depletion of the oceans' habitats are all addressed.
However, the most powerful element of “The 11th Hour” is not a portrait of a planet in crisis, but an offering of hope and solutions. The film ends with a call for restorative action through reshaping human activity.
“The 11th Hour” will be released on DVD soon You can go to www.11thhouraction.com to get more information on the movie. We need the message of this movie to hit as far and wide as possible. The hope is us. Let's begin.
Thank You,
Leonardo DiCaprio
P.S. Please feel free to use the code to embed the trailer on your website!
The 11th Hour
Posted by: Brink | Thursday, August 9, 2007
As one of the most celebrated names in the action sports industry and founder and CEO of Sole Technology, parent company of etnies, etnies girl, eS, Emerica, Altamont and ThirtyTwo, Pierre Andre Senizergues’ passion for the environment has remained true to his roots and shown in the company’s success.
Teaming up with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tree Media as Executive Producer for The 11th HOUR, Senizergues hopes to create awareness around the environmental issues we are currently facing. Opening officially in theaters this August, The 11th HOUR describes the last moment when change is possible. The film explores how humanity has arrived at this moment – how we live, how we impact the Earth’s ecosystems, and what we can do to change our course. The film features dialogues with experts from all over the world, in addition to over 50 leading scientists, thinkers and leaders who present the facts and discuss the most important issues that face our planet.
The 11th HOUR is produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Leila Conners Peterson and Nadia Conners.
The Respect...
Posted by: Brink | Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Have you seen what ThirtyTwo has been up to lately? More than jst the best boots, that's for sure. So good that even Snowboard mag picked up on it!
The 11th Hour
Posted by: Brink | Monday, July 30, 2007The following is a letter from Leonardo DiCaprio about the new upcoming film, The 11th Hour, that features Sole Technology, etnies and etnies owner and president, Pierre Andre Senizergues. Stay tuned for more info and eco-tips in the etnies Seed Project blog soon!
Friends,
I am writing to tell you about my new environmental film, “The 11th Hour.” The film documents the environmental crises we face and the solutions we must begin to implement.
Please take a look at the above.
With the help of over fifty of the world's most prominent thinkers and activists, including reformer Mikhail Gorbachev, physicist Stephen Hawking, and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai, “The 11th Hour” documents the grave problems facing the planet's life systems. Global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and depletion of the oceans' habitats are all addressed.
However, the most powerful element of “The 11th Hour” is not a portrait of a planet in crisis, but an offering of hope and solutions. The film ends with a call for restorative action through reshaping human activity.
“The 11th Hour” is opening on August 17th in New York and Los Angeles. On the 24th it opens in other cities, and in the following weeks across the country. It would be great if you could go see it and bring a friend. You can go to www.11thhouraction.com to get more information on the movie and when it will play near you.
We need the message of this movie to hit as far and wide as possible.
The hope is us. Let's begin.
Thank You,
Leonardo DiCaprio
P.S. Please feel free to use the code to embed the trailer on your website!
New Seed Project Goods!
Posted by: Brink | Monday, June 25, 2007
We've just uploaded a grip of new Seed Projectshoes, tees, jackets, pants, hats, socks and more! Check 'em out in the Footwear and Clothing pages of etnies.com! Don't forget the Seed Project blog while you're at it!
Leaving the Right Soleprint
Posted by: Brink | Thursday, June 14, 2007
For Immediate Release – June 12, 2007
Lake Forest, Calif. – Driven by his vision and spirit for a company successful on the balance sheet, the streets, the slopes, the ocean and ultimately on our amazing planet, Pierre Andre Senizergues embodies the genuine qualities as a true leader by revolutionizing the future of action sports and the way Sole Technology does business. For his environmental endeavors, Senizergues was honored on June 9 at the 11th Annual Global Green USA and Green Cross International Millennium Awards as this year’s recipient of the Corporate Environmental Leadership Award. As CEO and founder of Sole Technology, parent company to top action sports brands etnies, éS, Emerica, Altamont and ThirtyTwo, Senizergues has set a positive example for his peers in business and media by greening his company and speaking out about the need to take action to protect the environment and leaving the right footprint, or in Pierre’s case, soleprint.
In 2002, under the leadership of Senizergues, Sole Technology began making changes to protect the environment in their business practices. Recently, Sole Technology added to its list the conversion to waterless urinals at its headquarters to promote water conservation. Saving up to 250,000 gallons of water each year, that’s equivalent to approximately an Olympic size swimming pool, three million cups of coffee, and what matters most to the action sports industry, two and a half million bottles of beer.
In addition to Senizergues’ vision and full commitment to corporate responsibility other initiatives include the installation of 616 solar panels, the conversion to water-based cement manufacturing, company-wide recycling efforts, the addition of the first-ever environmental affairs manager and the launch of a sustainable footwear and apparel collection, the etnies SEED Project. Senizergues has also recently teamed up with Leonardo Dicaprio and Tree Media as executive producer for the upcoming and highly-anticipated documentary, THE 11th HOUR, set to open in theaters in fall 2007. Senizergues supports the film in hopes to create awareness and discussion around the issues we are facing and the environmental movement to motivate people to reduce the size of footprint they leave behind on our planet and for future generations.
Global Green USA was founded by former president Mikhail Gorbachev and serves as a national environmental organization addressing and creating a new approach to solving the world's most pressing environmental challenges by reconnecting humanity to the environment. Senizergues’ name is added to a prestigious list of past Millennium Award recipients like Leonardo DiCaprio, Ted Turner, Joan Bavaria, Paul Hawken, Gary Hirshberg, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Suzuki, Winona LaDuke, Ray Anderson, and many more outstanding leaders.
“I’m honored personally and professionally to recognize a leader like Pierre that understands the important connection between humankind and the environment,” says Matt Peterson, CEO of Global Green. “Global Green recognizes those unique leaders who embody our mission and are an inspiration to others.”
Known for pioneering technological advances in skateboard footwear, Pierre Andre Senizergues and Sole Technology have stayed true to its skateboarding roots while pushing the envelope as a corporate leader of sustainability in the industry and will continue its efforts in doing the right thing. Check out Pierre’s award presentation.
Earth Day!
Posted by: Brink | Sunday, April 22, 2007
Today is Earth Day, get out there and do your part to make the Earth a better, healthier, longer-lasting planet. The go skate or ride or surf and be happy.
