Sole

Commons couldn't find information on the overall proportion of materials this brand uses. For a small brand, we assume use of a mix of material types. SOLE makes products with lowest emissions materials, including recycled cork waste, as well as high emissions materials such as EVA, polyester, elastane, and wool. It has plans to reduce its reliance on these high emissions materials by decreasing its use of EVA and increasing the bio-based materials in its recycled cork products. It reported on progress towards these goals within the last year, but was only on track for the bio-based materials goal.

SOLE reports using 100% wind energy in one of its production sites, but it's unclear how nuch of its supply chain this covers, and it doesn't report on energy sourcing or efficiency measures elsewhere in its value chain. It sources and manufactures its materials globally, which is standard practice in the fashion industry.

SOLE uses 100% plastic-free packaging for its ecommerce orders and has made specific efforts to minimize its packaging overall by eliminating boxes. It strongly disincentivizes high-emissions rush shipping, which helps reduce emissions per order.

SOLE doesn't offer repair services or support, but does offer a 90-day warranty that includes coverage for customer error in sizing/molding footbeds. It gives detailed and environmentally conscious care instructions for its products.

Commons couldn't find information on any take back programs for SOLE's products, but SOLE does run a takeback program for used wine corks that are then recycled into its ReCork material. It shares information on how successful this program is.

SOLE offers a core collection with very limited new additions and releases. It occasionally offers pre-order items, which helps limit overproduction and waste.

Commons is still evaluating this brand's marketing emails.

SOLE has a prominent sustainability page with high-level information on its materials and circularity initiatives that was last updated in 2023. SOLE publishes an annual report, with a clear strategy, good accountability, and transparent progress reporting. Its latest annual report is from 2023.

SOLE internally measures its overall emissions and reports emissions on a product level for its core products. It identifies its top driver of emissions per product, by including detailed breakdowns.

Commons couldn't find emissions reduction targets for SOLE or verification that it offsets any emissions. SOLE notes that some of its ReCork products are carbon negative.

SOLE publishes general geographic information about its supply chain partners. It doesn't have, or doesn't make public, any supplier code of conduct.