Sustainability
Embracing Sustainability for a Better Tomorrow
Initiate an extraordinary transformation today by revolutionizing the way we design, produce, and nurture our footwear.
Witness the significant strides we are taking towards a more sustainable future and explore the optimal next steps you can take for your shoes.
We extend an invitation to you to join us on this impactful journey and become an integral part of our sustainability narrative.
Commencing in Brazil…
Grendene maintains complete ownership of its factories, ensuring a deep understanding of the individuals behind the production of our footwear. Our customers are assured of the exact location where their shoes are meticulously crafted.
We firmly believe that a sustainable future is intricately tied to our people. With over 16,000 job opportunities, Grendene fosters a work environment characterized by favorable conditions, equitable wages, and avenues for career advancement.
Our operations in Brazil enable us to invest in local communities surrounding our factories, with a notable 93% of Grendene's expenditures directed towards Brazilian suppliers.
Material Composition of Melissas Cruelty-Free
We take pride in the fact that our shoes are and will always be vegan. Melissa committed to cruelty-free practices in 2017, with a pledge that our products will never undergo animal testing or contain any components of animal origin, as attested by the Vegan Society.
Our commitment to sustainability extends to the materials we use. MelFlex, our primary raw material, is a resilient form of PVC crafted through Melissa's proprietary technology.
The simplicity of our materials sets us apart in the footwear industry, where the traditional mix of intricate components poses challenges for cleaning, reuse, disassembly, or recycling. MelFlex, a durable plastic, can be in use for several years before being recycled through our specialized partners.
Exploring Sustainable Solutions Bio-Based Materials In our pursuit of a better planet, we constantly explore more sustainable solutions. Recognizing that many plastics derive from fossil fuels, we embrace bio-based materials made from plants as a cleaner alternative. Grendene's commitment led to an increase in the use of renewable materials from 26% in 2021 to an impressive 48% in 2022.
Our USDA-certified bio-based materials, derived from sugar cane and vegetable oils, are incorporated into specific models within our collection.
Manufacturing Practices of Melissas
Grendene is steadfast on a sustainability journey, where every step emphasizes positive production practices.
Our shoes are manufactured with mindfulness, striking a balance between delivering products our customers adore and caring for our shared planet and its invaluable resources.
We ensure the treatment of 100% of our wastewater, with water treatment stations installed in all our factories. Additionally, we successfully reuse the majority of our wastewater (86% in 2022) in our processes.
While plastic's water footprint is relatively low compared to other materials in the footwear industry, we meticulously track our water consumption, acknowledging that 30% is dedicated to the production of our shoes, with the majority supporting the daily activities of our workforce.
Reducing Carbon Footprint
Since 2018, Melissa's factories have been powered by 100% renewable energy. By investing in renewable energy certificates, we contribute to reducing the carbon emissions associated with our manufacturing processes.
Furthering our commitment to greener practices, a Solar Power Plant has been installed at our Sobral factory, and over 4,000 panels are scheduled for installation at the new Crato factory in 2023, contributing to 34% of self-generated energy.
Recycling Manufacturing Waste Striving for Zero-Waste Excellence As a part of our dedication to eco-friendly production, every piece of plastic leftover from shoe creation returns to the initial stages, resulting in an average of 30% of each shoe being composed of recycled factory waste.
Our commitment goes beyond, with 90% of total waste in 2022 being reincorporated into production, steering clear of landfills. We are resolute in our pursuit of becoming a zero-waste business, cherishing all our trash. For instance, we repurpose leftover food and organic materials to generate cooking gas and fertilizer.
Recycling Melissas
The future of footwear lies in circularity, prompting a reevaluation of how we create, use, and dispose of our shoes. Rather than a linear approach of discarding, we advocate for keeping materials in circulation.
We are transparent about our product composition, and circularity begins with thoughtful design. PVC, a durable and waterproof material, is easily washable, ready for reuse, and can be melted and remade into practical products, giving them a renewed purpose, from flooring to furniture.