‘Go Green’ ESG Plan

The historic PPE brand Bollé Safety publishes its first carbon footprint

In the wake of the launch of its Go Green CSR approach, Bollé Safety, global leader in eye protection, publishes its first carbon footprint (scope 1, 2 & 3), evaluated at 25,000 tons per year. A first observation which gives the course to the transformation of a market in which the company wishes to position itself as a leader.

Bollé Safety wants to take part in protecting the planet. In 2021, the global eye protection brand has moved up a gear by launching its Go Green plan. One of the first steps of this plan was to have its CO2 emissions (scope 1, 2 & 3) assessed by UTOPIES, an independent consulting firm.

To develop and produce eyewear for 20 million wearers worldwide, the brand emits 25,000 tons of Co2 per year. For comparison, this figure is equivalent to the production of 450,000 iPhone XS or the average annual emissions of 6,250 people or 14,260 round trips from Paris to New York by plane. More precisely, the emissions are divided between the use of raw materials (39 per cent), production (35 per cent), transport (15 per cent), distribution (six per cent) and the end of the products' life (five per cent). This first significant insight into its greenhouse gas emissions will serve as a reference for the company for future assessments.

Beyond its environmental impact, the company's ESG program, which is aiming for B Corp certification in 2024, is built around a true corporate vision.

Participating in the transformation of its market towards a more responsible industry is one of Bollé Safety's ambitions. The company has set itself the goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 35 per cent per product by 2027. As a member of the UN Global Compact (a United Nations initiative encouraging companies to have a responsible attitude), the company has developed a plan in three axes: Measure, Act and Transform. It is based on several pillars and concrete actions:

The company’s transformation on the environmental plan passes in particular by:

• Internal training on eco-design.

• Optimization of product design (industrialization and supply processes) and of the supply chain.

• And product recycling (carried out in England).

On the customer side, Bollé Safety developed different projects in order to increase the products sustainability, at different stages of the products’ lifecycle:

• SOLIS – eco-frames with 33 per cent of the nylon coming from recycled fishing net.

• KLASSEE – eco-frame of which 48 per cent is in organic castor oil.

• KOMET – frames created with an injection system that reduces production losses by 49 per cent (moulding that provides a superior aesthetic and finish for better resistance to wear).

• CURA – Protective faceshields ecodesigned for the healthcare market: manufactured in England with 97 per cent recycled polyamide, protected by a polybag packaging made of 30 per cent recycled materials and transported in a recycled cardboard, the product can be reused at least ten times and recycled easily.

• Eco-Packaging – a plastic-free, 100 per cent recycled and recyclable packaging, optimized to reduce waste by 30 per cent. Its user's guide is printed directly on the cardboard with vegetable ink.

• B-Clean – a water-based eyewear care line that extends the life of the products.

• Considering the number of products sold every day worldwide by Bollé-Safety, the eco-responsible products’ design is a priority.

The company is a member of the SEDEX network which aims to strengthen responsible supply chains. Bollé Safety has also established an ethical code of conduct for its partners which guarantees responsible purchasing (ethical suppliers). Finally, Bollé Safety wants to make eyewear protection accessible to everyone and thus offers products that provide maximum protection and safety at reasonable prices.

Bollé Safety's commitments also include a human aspect. Thus, the company attaches great importance to gender equality. It counts 50 per cent of women within its executive committee and all its employees. In addition, the group has developed a community of ambassadors who aim to raise employee awareness of ESG with local initiatives (waste collection, sustainable mobility package (FMD), etc.).

With Go Green, Bollé Safety is asserting itself as a standard bearer. As a leading player, its short, medium and long-term CSR strategy is based on a profound transformation of the company and its market.

Tel: 0208 391 4700

Email: sales@bolle-safety.co.uk

Visit: bolle-safety.com/gb/