SATRA to hold sustainable footwear forum

A new event exploring economic, environmental and social challenges.

Consumer pressure is mounting to ensure that all consumer products are produced in a way that meets the most commonly recognised definition of ‘sustainability’ – that is, products manufactured in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their requirements. Sustainability has three main pillars: economic, environmental, and social, which are more typically referred to as ‘people’, ‘planet’ and ‘profits’.

Producing footwear is no exception to this demand. However, due to the number of materials, components, constructions, geography of manufacture and end user locations, meeting the criteria for sustainability is very challenging for everyone in the value chain.

While the footwear industry does not have all the answers to hand, there is a desire to work towards constant improvement and making products that can be described as ‘sustainable’.

This SATRA members-only forum will investigate where we are currently as an industry with regard to sustainability, as well as showcase case studies of steps that are being taken by member companies, and open the floor for a discussion on how the challenges being faced by the footwear sector can be addressed.

Topics under consideration will include ‘enabling traceability in the value chain’, ‘product environmental footprint and industry schemes’, ‘sustainable design’, ‘the logistics challenge’ and ‘one hundred per cent circular footwear production’.

The inaugural sustainable footwear forum will be held at SATRA’s Kettering head office on Thursday 5th December 2019, with additional events to be held in China and the USA early in 2020. The cost for the UK forum will be £50 and the number of places will be limited, so early booking to avoid disappointment is recommended. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 54 of the November 2019 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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