Cleaner Production
Sole Technology’s brands create quality and durable products that are long lasting. Nothing receives more abuse than a skateboarder’s shoes and Sole Technology constructs skateboard footwear to withstand the repetitive and extreme use they are exposed to. Sole Technology continuously examines the materials that go into every product, working diligently with its manufacturers to ensure green materials and practices are implemented whenever possible.
Initiatives that we’ve instituted as a result of our commitment to eliminating toxins and replacing with green elements and innovation:
- On average, 80% of all Sole Technology cup sole footwear products are made using water-based cements, instead of highly pollutant petroleum, resulting in cleaner air for workers and less toxins in the shoes.
- 50% of its adult and 100% of kids t-shirt collection uses water-based ink rather than plastisols that contains phthalates a known toxin within PVC.
- The Sole Technology Institute has revolutionized the vulcanized shoe, a skateboarding staple, with its newest technology – STI Fusion. Using a patent pending process, the outsole, the midsole, and the upper are fused together through a chemical binding process. STI Fusion boasts a 75% reduction time, which has a correlative impact on energy and water and offers a savings of 33% in labor and 8% reduction of adhesives. The vulcanized shoe keeps with the same classic look, but is more durable, comfortable, flexible and lighter than the original.