For 30 years our company has been pushing the boundaries of hat making. Every day we are taking steps to make our hats more durable, sustainable and socially responsible - so we feel good making them and you feel great wearing them!
What is Climate Neutral?
Climate Neutral is a nonprofit organization working to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and help brands achieve climate neutrality. Companies that achieve its certification must meet internationally recognized standards for carbon measurement and neutrality, and certification must be renewed annually.
How did Sunday Afternoons become Climate Neutral Certified?
We achieved Climate Neutral Certification by measuring our 2021 greenhouse gas emissions and purchasing eligible verified carbon credits to offset our entire corporate footprint. As part of our certification, we are required to have a plan for reductions in the years ahead. Our goal is to reduce our entire carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.
Do companies have to recertify after a certain amount of time?
Climate Neutral Certification is valid for up to one year and is based on emissions from the previous year. For example, a brand certifying for 2021 emissions will become certified in 2022. Annual recertification ensures that brands remain focused on reducing their carbon emissions and stay current with removing/offsetting the carbon emissions they generate.
What does Carbon Neutral mean?
Carbon neutrality means achieving a net neutral balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. Achieving carbon neutrality, or climate neutrality—which counts other greenhouse gases in addition to carbon dioxide—can help accelerate our collective goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Our company goal is to reduce our entire carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.
What is a carbon credit? Is it the same thing as an offset?
A carbon credit is a certificate generated when someone takes an action to eliminate a tonne (or metric ton) of greenhouse gas emissions. When carbon credits are used by companies or individuals to zero-out their emissions, it’s called an offset. So, offsets are simply credits used for a specific purpose.
What specific project(s) is Sunday Afternoons supporting through offsets?
Over the past year, our sustainability team worked to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions it takes to manufacture, warehouse, and ship our products worldwide, as well as the emissions impact of our total operations. We are now offsetting those 2021 emissions by investing in climate change solutions and planning future reductions. Our goal is to reduce our entire carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.
Through our carbon offset program, Sunday Afternoons purchased credits in the Hong Phong 4 Solar Plant in Vietnam to offset 4,905 tonnes (metric tons) of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021.
With our roots in making hats that offer sun protection, supporting a solar project was a logical choice. We chose the Hong Phong 4 Solar Plant because we have longstanding relationships with suppliers and factory partners in southeastern Vietnam, and we are dedicated to giving back directly to that community. Supporting solar projects in Vietnam reduces the region's reliance on fossil fuels and results in cleaner air and water for the local communities.
What are your sustainability goals and how do you measure progress?
A proud member of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), Sunday Afternoons is actively working on a sustainability roadmap to measure progress and assess opportunities related to our supply chain, materials, and practices. Our participation in reputable industry associations ensures that we introduce best practices when working to improve our environmental and social sustainability. In 2017, we completed the Higg Index Brand and Retail Modules and have been completing Higg annually since then. Developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, the Higg Index is a suite of tools that enables brands, retailers, and facilities of all sizes—at every stage in their sustainability journey—to accurately measure and score a company or product’s sustainability performance. The Higg Index delivers a holistic overview that empowers businesses to make meaningful improvements that protect the well-being of factory workers, local communities, and the environment.
How do you incorporate sustainability into your product design?
Sunday Afternoons is continually striving to improve the sustainability of our supply chain, materials, and practices. We select materials that enhance the quality and durability of our products while safeguarding the environment and human health. We also measure our progress to ensure accountability and transparency in our decisions where possible. Many of our performance materials and trims are bluesign® or recycled materials. We comply with RSL (Restricted Substances List) testing of our products.
Are your fabrics recycled?
Many of our fabrics are recycled, and we are committed to increasing that number. You may see that many of our main body fabrics and trims are bluesign®-certified. bluesign® is a standard of environmental safety for textiles. If a fabric is bluesign®-certified, it means that the raw materials used to create it have been reviewed based on their ecotoxicological impact, and toxic chemicals or processes have been replaced with more sustainable alternatives.
What is bluesign®-certified fabric?
bluesign® is a standard of environmental safety for textiles. If a fabric is bluesign® certified, it means that the raw materials used to create it have been reviewed based on their ecotoxicological impact, and toxic chemicals or processes have been replaced with more sustainable alternatives.
How does Sunday Afternoons give back to the community?
Sunday Afternoons is rooted in a love of the outdoors and strives to promote and support natural spaces, wild places, and endeavors that celebrate being outside. That includes giving back to global, national, and local organizations, including Protect Our Winters (POW), European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), Leave No Trace, KS Wild, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, and Rogue Valley Farm to School.