Clarks

Jun 30, 2022

Clarks is a British shoe retailer founded in 1825 in Street by Cyrus Clark and James Clark. The multinational retail company creates shoes and accessories for men, women, and children.

Clarks uses advanced construction techniques, technologies and contemporary materials to combine invention and craftsmanship and make revolutionary shoes.

Clarks aims to be as sustainable, conscientious, responsible, and inclusive as possible. It wants to protect the planet for generations to come and care for communities across the globe.

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Sustainability Rating: 5/10

Rating FAQ

Category: Shoes, accessories

For: Women, men, children

Type: Sandals, boots, heels, sneakers, flats

Style: Casual, formal, chic, classic

Quality: Medium

Price: $$

Sizes: N/a

Fabrics: Cotton, linen, polyester, nylon, neoprene, polyurethane, rubber, leather, wool, silk

100% Organic: No

100% Vegan: No

Ethical & Fair: No

Recycling: Yes

Producing countries: Albania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, Vietnam

Certifications: FSC, LWG, SMETA, BSCI, WRAP, SA8000

Sustainability Practices

Clarks takes wide-ranging measures to reduce its environmental impact and wastage and combat climate change. It feels a responsibility towards people and planet.

Clarks only uses a tiny proportion of sustainable materials such as organic cotton or recycled polyester.

Most fabrics it uses are natural without relevant certifications, such as regular cotton or linen, or synthetic petroleum-based fibers such as polyester, nylon, and more.

Clarks doesn't use any exotic animal skin, hair, fur, or angora. But it uses leather, wool, and silk to manufacture many of its products.

These animal-derived materials are cruel and unethical. They also harm the environment by producing greenhouse gases and waste. More sustainable alternatives exist.

Clarks publishes a list of its manufacturers on its corporate website. It believes strongly in working collaboratively to effect change and improvements within the footwear supply chain.

The 2021 Fashion Transparency Index gave Clarks a score of only 34% based on how much the group discloses about its social and environmental policies, practices, and impacts.

Clarks has a code of conduct that applies to all its suppliers and subcontractors based on the regulations set by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Clarks assesses compliance with its Code of Conduct by informal visits or third-party audits with or without notice. It aims to improve the working conditions in its suppliers and make a positive change for the benefit of those working in each factory.

Sustainability Goals

Clarks has committed to making its shoes last, using durable, quality materials that stand the test of time. It focuses on increasing its use of renewable energy, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and diverting waste from landfill.

However, Clarks doesn't define its sustainability goals on clear science-based targets and timelines to improve in the future.

Buy Here

Discover Clarks' sustainable collections at Clarks.co.uk.

Reviews And Experiences With Clarks

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What We're Up Against

Multinational corporations overproducing cheap products in the poorest countries.
Huge factories with sweatshop-like conditions underpaying workers.
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