In 2022, we built in Elburg to expand our stock halls. A new large hall means a large roof area, and thus space for solar panels! Thanks to those panels, more energy flows in than out on sunny days and we are more than 100% self-sufficient. So how do you work on your sustainability as a shoe supplier? We asked Marco Jorna and Inge Fidder, owners of Antar Shoe.
Marco: "For us as traders, sustainability is quite difficult. In the life of a shoe, production is the phase that puts the most strain on the environment. That's why we are so happy that many of our brands are also working on sustainability.'
Brands with sustainability ambitions
"Our supplier Grendene is clearly leading the way in terms of sustainability. says Marco. 'They are manufacturers of Ipanema, Rider and Cartago, among others, and their products are 100% recyclable. They also recycle 90% of their production waste, nothing goes to landfill and their factories run entirely on green electricity. And Grisport has been going green for over 10 years: the roof of their largest factory in Italy is completely filled with solar panels. An impressive size, which on sunny days is good for powering the entire production line there.' Inge notices that customers increasingly ask how our brands are performing in terms of sustainability: 'Every sustainable step we can only applaud. And a label or hallmark helps us and our customers in selling to consumers.'
Antar goes electric
Other steps in the shoe chain that have a lot of impact are transport and the waste phase, in which the shoe can be recycled, for example. That is why at Antar Shoe we are also looking at transport, says Inge: "We are exploring how we can make our delivery more sustainable, and are working on making our cars more sustainable. We want to go 100% electric. That way our account managers will soon be able to go completely green.
Computers in the office, forklifts in the warehouses and mood lighting in our showrooms: our daily power consumption will be heartily green by 2024.
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