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Textile Recycling Program

We’ve redefined our sustainable product category and are reimagining the shopping experience for people and planet-friendly products.
Textile Recycling Program

Donate Your Old Samples or Excess Inventory Now

S&S Activewear has partnered with Give Back Box to channel unwanted textiles to communities in need. Through this program we are able to provide clothing and accessories to those in need while simultaneously reducing the amount of apparel that ends up in landfills.

ESG at S&S Activewear

Donate Your Old Samples or Excess Inventory Now

S&S Activewear has partnered with Give Back Box to channel unwanted textiles to communities in need. Through this program we are able to provide clothing and accessories to those in need while simultaneously reducing the amount of apparel that ends up in landfills.

What You Need to Know

What Is Give Back Box?

Give Back Box operates as the logistical muscle behind many large retailer donation programs by connecting businesses with charities across the US and abroad. They provide consumers with an easy way to donate old clothing and household items (or in our case extra samples or damaged inventory), therefore extending the life of donations and alleviating landfill overflow.

Give Back Box works with charities that support causes like domestic violence, mental health, and economic growth.

What Can I Donate?

This program is designed to provide a solution for textile waste in our industry. Therefore, you can donate things like sample overflow, old or damaged inventory, displays, and everything inbetween. In addition, if you have old clothes to get rid of at home those donations are always welcome.

When Can I Donate?

This program will live as a year-round effort under the Make an Imprint umbrella. There is no limit to how many labels you can download. This means you can continuously send in as many boxes as you need to, as often as you need.

How Do I Send My Donation?

For US based donators, please visit this site to download your pre-paid shipping label.

Once you’ve packed your recycled box to the brim, attach your label and drop off your box at a UPS location.

Other Questions You Might Ask?

Where is my donation going and what happens to it?

The boxes are routed directly to the nearest participating local charity organization. Donated items are sorted and sold by the participating charity, and revenues are used to help fund community-based programs, including job training, employment placement services and support services.

What is the weight limit and box size requirement for my donation?

The maximum weight is 70 pounds. The combined length and girth of a piece (the length of its longest side plus the distance around its thickest part) may not exceed 108 inches. Please do not send large electronics, any liquids, fragile, hazardous, or volatile items, or ammunition in boxes.

Can I choose the charity that gets my donation?

Yes! If you choose to select which charity receives your donation, you will be asked to cover the $15 shipping cost. You can select a charity by visiting this site.

Is there a fee for donating?

There is no cost to participate, however if you select one of Give Back Box’s partner charities to receive your donation rather than sending it straight to Give Back Box, there is a $15 shipping fee.

But what about carbon emissions?

Give Back Box operates using reverse logistic solutions, meaning your donation will only get to the charity if there is already a truck going that way. This prevents extra driving, which means less carbon emissions, and promotes cleanerair.

Shop Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Apparel Brands and Styles at SS Activewear
Our Sustainable Style Categories

Sustainable Materials

Materials that are obtained from renewable or recycled resources and have minimal negative impact on the environment during their production and manufacturing.

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Criteria Threshold

To qualify, each product must contain 50% of at least one of the following materials OR have one of the following certifications. Brands must be using the same percentage of these materials 100% of the time.

Materials

BCI Cotton (Better Cotton Initiative)

Cotton that is both sourced by farmers using sustainable farming methods and manufactured using sustainable practices. BCI cotton is grown using less water, less fertilizer and fewer pesticides, while also improving the lives of farmers by increasing cotton crop yields.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third­-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming.

Recycled Materials (any of the following)

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new products. This process involves collecting, sorting, and processing materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal. The materials are then broken down and reformed into new products, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

• Recycled polyester (rPET): A preferred synthetic fabric that can be made from post-consumer plastic like water bottles as well as unusable manufacturing waste and polyester garments.

• Recycled Canvas: Recycled canvas is simply canvas that has been made from recycled materials, typically cotton or polyester. The process involves collecting unused fabrics from factories and textile mills. Threads are deconstructed from the fabric pieces and spun into yarn and then woven into Recycled Canvas fabric.

• Recycled Cotton: Typically made by mechanically shredding cotton fabric back down to fibers and then re-spinning into yarn for use, recycled cotton (or reclaimed or regenerated cotton) uses less water and chemicals than standard cotton because it skips the cotton growing process.

• Post-Consumer Recycled Content: Post-consumer recycled content, often referred to as PCR, is material that is made from the items that consumers recycle every day, like aluminum, cardboard boxes, paper, and plastic bottles. These materials are typically collected by local recycling programs and shipped to recycling facilities to be sorted into bales, based on the material. The bales are then purchased and melted (or ground) into small pellets and molded into new items. The new PCR plastic material can then be used for a variety of finished products.

• Pre-Consumer Recycled Content: Pre-Consumer refers to waste generated from the manufacturing process that led to the creation of the source material. For example, when plastic is blown into bottles, scrap (often referred to as “pinch-off”) is left behind that doesn’t make it into the final bottles.

Renewable Materials (any of the following)

A renewable resource is a resource that can be replenished naturally over time.


• Hemp: The fiber of the cannabis plant, extracted from the stem and used to make rope, strong fabrics, fiberboard, and paper. Along with bamboo, hemp is one of the fastest growing plants on Earth.


• Cork: Cork is harvested from a specific layer of bark, usually on the cork oak tree. This layer, called the phellem layer, is composed of a water-repelling material that has unique characteristics: it is impermeable, buoyant, elastic, and fire-retardant. Cork is considered to be a renewable or sustainable material because the harvesting of cork doesn’t require the cutting down of any trees; instead, the trees grow until they’re about 25 years old (when their trunks are wide enough, at about 24 inches), and then the cork is stripped from the tree trunks every nine years.


• Lyocell: Fiber produced from cellulose from eucalyptus tree pulp. Eucalyptus is fast-growing and requires little to no chemicals or irrigation. It can grow on land no longer capable of growing food. The fabrication process requires no toxic chemicals and other agents used in the process are recyclable and create limited emissions. The textile is breathable, easy to dye, and can be mixed with other fabrics for different hand feels.


• Bamboo: Bamboo is a giant woody grass that grows chiefly in the tropics, where it is widely cultivated. It is also the hollow jointed stem of the bamboo plant, used as a cane or to make furniture and implements.

U.S Grown Cotton

The U.S. cotton industry producers are leading the way in responsible cotton production practices that dramatically reduce water use, land use, soil loss, and energy use while increasing soil health and yield per acre. U.S. cotton industry has demonstrated continuous improvement against a number of measures, as defined by Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, including reductions in soil erosion, irrigation water applied, labor hours, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Material Certifications

bluesign® Certified

The bluesign® technologies group is involved at every step in the supply chain—from chemical formulation to finished product—to keep chemicals of concern out of the process. The group works with factories and brands to impact the following areas: resource use, occupational health and safety, water and air emissions, and consumer safety.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

Ensures that textiles labeled "organic" meet strict criteria. Certification traces organic fiber, as well as social and environmental practices, from manufacturing to packaging to the finished product. GOTS also prohibits the use of heavy metals, genetically modified substances, toxins and carcinogens.

Global Recycled Standard (GRS)

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled Content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. The goal of the GRS is to increase use of Recycled materials in products and reduce/eliminate the harm caused by its production.

Organic Content Standard (OCS)

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) is an international, voluntary standard that provides chain of custody verification for materials originating on a farm certified to recognized national organic standards. The standard is used to verify organically grown raw materials from the farm to the final product.

Sustainable Manufacturing

Sustainable manufacturing is the creation of manufactured products through processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources.

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Criteria Threshold

To qualify for this category a product must meet one of the following.

The product was made in a factory that is climate positive/carbon negative

Climate Positive/Carbon Negative means that a company goes beyond achieving net zero carbon emissions to create an environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The product was made in a factory that is net zero

Net zero means that any carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from the company’s activities is balanced by an equivalent amount being removed. Net Zero involves reducing a company’s absolute emissions across the whole supply chain with active changes to the way a business operates.

The product was made in a facility that is carbon neutral

Carbon Neutral means companies measure the amount of carbon they release and offset that with a reduction in emissions or a removal of carbon. This can include buying carbon credits to make up the difference. Carbon neutral can cover a defined part of business operations and typically accounts for CO2 emissions, but not other greenhouse gases.

The product contains at least 50% BCI Cotton (Better Cotton Initiative)

Cotton that is both sourced by farmers using sustainable farming methods and manufactured using sustainable practices. BCI cotton is grown using less water, less fertilizer and fewer pesticides, while also improving the lives of farmers by increasing cotton crop yields.

The product is bluesign® Certified

The bluesign® technologies group is involved at every step in the supply chain—from chemical formulation to finished product—to keep chemicals of concern out of the process. The group works with factories and brands to impact the following areas: resource use, occupational health and safety, water and air emissions, and consumer safety.

The product was created within a circular business model/economy

The circular economy tackles climate change and other global challenges like biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution, by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. There are two main cycles – the technical cycle and the biological cycle. In the technical cycle, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes such as reuse, repair, remanufacture and recycling. In the biological cycle, the nutrients from biodegradable materials are returned to the Earth to regenerate nature.

The product is Cradle to Cradle Certified

The Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard provides the framework to assess the safety, circularity and responsibility of materials and products across five categories of sustainability performance: Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness. It is a solidified investment towards a circular business model/economy.

The product meets the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

Ensures that textiles labeled "organic" meet strict criteria. Certification traces organic fiber, as well as social and environmental practices, from manufacturing to packaging to the finished product. GOTS also prohibits the use of heavy metals, genetically modified substances, toxins and carcinogens.

The product meets the Global Recycled Standard (GRS)

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled Content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. The goal of the GRS is to increase use of recycled materials in products and reduce/eliminate the harm caused by its production.

The product holds an OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton Certification

OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON certification offers verification from farm to product. Products bearing this label have been manufactured without the use of GMOs and tested for pesticides and other harmful substances.

The product meets the OEKO-TEX Standard 100

If a textile article carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component of this article, i.e. every thread, button and other accessories, has been tested for harmful substances and that the article therefore is harmless for human health.

The product meets the standard for OEKO-TEX Made in Green

OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN is a traceable product label for all kinds of textiles and leather products that have been manufactured in environmentally friendly facilities under safe and socially responsible working conditions. The MADE IN GREEN label also reassures consumers that the textile or leather product is made of materials that have been tested for harmful substances.

The product was made in a facility that has submitted an assessment using the Higg FEM, Higg FSLM, or the Higg BRM and has implemented Level 2 or above practices

The HIGG Index is an apparel and footwear industry self-assessment standard for assessing environmental and social sustainability throughout the supply chain. It 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 measures environmental (energy/greenhouse gas emissions; water; wastewater/effluent; air emissions; waste; and chemicals management) and social impacts across the life cycle of an apparel and footwear product.

The product was made in a facility that is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified

A green building certification program used worldwide that creates standards for developing high performance, sustainable buildings. LEED includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods which aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.

The product was made in a facility that is run by at least 50% renewable energy

The manufacturing process utilizes sources of renewable energy to power their operations such as solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric,
waste-to-energy, etc.

Socially Conscious Manufacturing

Socially conscious manufacturing means the manufacturing process is thoroughly reviewed, often certified, to verify high standards of ethical treatment of employees throughout all facets of the supply chain, such as the manufacturing process of fibers and materials.

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Criteria Threshold

To qualify for this category a product must meet one of the following.

The product contains at least 50% BCI Cotton (Better Cotton Initiative)

Cotton that is both sourced by farmers using sustainable farming methods and manufactured using sustainable practices. BCI cotton is grown using less water, less fertilizer and fewer pesticides, while also improving the lives of farmers by increasing cotton crop yields.

The product is bluesign® Certified

The bluesign® technologies group is involved at every step in the supply chain—from chemical formulation to finished product—to keep chemicals of concern out of the process. The group works with factories and brands to impact the following areas: resource use, occupational health and safety, water and air emissions, and consumer safety.

The product is Cradle to Cradle Certified

The Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard provides the framework to assess the safety, circularity and responsibility of materials and products across five categories of sustainability performance: Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness. It is a solidified investment towards a circular business model/economy.

The product meets the Global Recycled Standard (GRS)

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled Content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. The goal of the GRS is to increase use of recycled materials in products and reduce/eliminate the harm caused by its production.

The product was made in a facility that has submitted an assessment using the Higg FEM, Higg FSLM, or the Higg BRM and has implemented Level 2 or above practices

The HIGG Index is an apparel and footwear industry self-assessment standard for assessing environmental and social sustainability throughout the supply chain. It 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 measures environmental (energy/greenhouse gas emissions; water; wastewater/effluent; air emissions; waste; and chemicals management) and social impacts across the life cycle of an apparel and footwear product.

The product was made by a mill who has partnered with Better Work

Better Work – a collaboration between the United Nation’s International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group – is a comprehensive program bringing together all levels of the garment industry to improve working conditions and respect of labor rights for workers and boost the competitiveness of apparel businesses.

The product was made by a mill who has partnered with the Responsible Labor Initiative

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) has been at the forefront of combating forced labor through the application of advanced due diligence standards, programs and tools in the global supply chains of its members. In order to accelerate change, this due diligence must be harmonized across multiple industries that share recruitment supply chains to drive labor market transformation through collective action. To catalyze this, the Responsible Labor Initiative (RLI) was launched in 2017. The RLI is a multi-industry, multi-stakeholder initiative focused on ensuring that the rights of workers vulnerable to forced labor in global supply chains are consistently respected and promoted.

The product was made by a mill that has partnered with or is accredited by the Fair Labor Association

Many of our brands have partnered with the Fair Labor Association to ensure their labor rights commitments are meeting the highest international standards for global supply chains. The FLA provides targeted guidance for companies working to achieve FLA Accreditation and ongoing training for accredited companies.

The product was made in a facility that is WRAP certified

The Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production or more commonly known as WRAP, focuses on promoting safe, lawful, humane, and ethical manufacturing around the world through a comprehensive audit and certification program. WRAP works with facilities at the ground level to bolster their compliance standing and support the long-term success of their businesses, while protecting the liberties of workers and safeguarding our environment. When you purchase from any of our WRAP certified brands, that certification affirms that a production unit consistently abides by all applicable laws and best practices, and their independent, third-party approach promotes accountability, transparency, and objectivity throughout the process.

The product meets the standard for OEKO-TEX Made in Green

OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN is a traceable product label for all kinds of textiles and leather products that have been manufactured in environmentally friendly facilities under safe and socially responsible working conditions. The MADE IN GREEN label also reassures consumers that the textile or leather product is made of materials that have been tested for harmful substances.

Responsible Mindset

Responsible mindset means designing a business to include corporate giving to charity or other giveback programs in support of people, communities, and/or the environment.

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Criteria Threshold

To meet the responsible mindset criteria, at least 1% of total revenue for that style - or for the mill as a whole - must be donated to a nonprofit organization. Examples of nonprofit programs include but are not limited to:

1% for the Planet

Companies and brands that are members of 1% for the Planet have committed to donating 1% of annual sales to nonprofit partners in support of environmental solutions.

The B-Rad Foundation

The B-Rad Foundation exists to support youth and their communities. We foster individual empowerment through environmental stewardship, health, and adventure programs. We believe in the next generation's responsibility to embody these principles and are resolved to make a positive and lasting impact within our communities and for our planet.

Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund Inc

Founded in October 2003 to help military children and disabled/wounded veterans. Our organization is working daily to assist our U.S. military service connected fallen and/or disabled veterans and their families through hardships they face after losing their loved one or after their loved one is unable to provide financially as they once did prior to their disability. Our programs provide emotional, educational, financial, health & well-being, morale and children’s enrichment assistance.

Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) offers medical humanitarian assistance to people based solely on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender, or political affiliation. Our teams of doctors, nurses, logisticians, and other frontline workers are often among the first on the scene when peoples’ lives are upended by conflict, disease outbreaks, or natural or human-made disasters.

Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world.

FUNDEMAS

FUNDEMAS is an alliance of organizations committed to the sustainable development of El Salvador in economic, social and environmental areas. This alliance is made up of small, medium and large companies, unions, foundations, universities and business leaders.

FUNDAHRSE

FUNDAHRSE is a non-profit, apolitical, non-religious organization whose main objective is the promotion of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), understood as a continuous commitment of companies to contribute to sustainable economic development, improving the quality of life of their employees and their families, as well as the local community and society in general.

Guide Dogs for the Blind

At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we believe that everyone deserves to move through the world safely and confidently—to live the life they want to live. Our passionate community employs innovative practices to create life-changing partnerships. And, we advocate for the policy reforms that change how the world views blindness and disability. Because when everyone is empowered to participate, our communities are stronger. With world-class client services and a robust network of instructors, puppy raisers, donors, and volunteers, we prepare highly qualified guide dogs and K9 Buddy dogs, provide guide dog readiness skills, and offer youth programs to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired. GDB not only improves mobility for our clients, we further inclusion.

Hanes4education

For every eligible piece of Hanes apparel you purchase for embellishment, the school of your choice will receive a cash rebate of $0.10

HERproject

HERproject stands with women as they take greater control of their lives, ensuring that they can make and act on choices they value. We firmly believe that women in global supply chains have the potential to be powerful agents for positive change in workplaces and in society. HERproject works to unlock that potential. Our ambition is for employment and empowerment to go hand-in-hand for women workers, with an empowered female workforce seen as a driver for business success.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. Powered by a dedicated volunteer workforce, this network delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.

Threads of Change

Threads of Change Berks is a 100% volunteer run organization founded by a group of foster parents. We aspire to make a difference in the lives of Foster Children and Foster Parents.

Vail Veterans Program

Since 2004, Vail Veterans Program has transformed the lives of military injured and their families through innovative programs that build confidence and life-long relationships. Programs range from the adventurous to the connective, including summer and winter therapeutic recreational programming, caregiver-specific wellness events, and empowerment training. Vail Veterans Program participants include United States military personnel who have been severely injured while serving our country. Most veterans who participate in our programs come directly from: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD; Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, and the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA. Vail Veterans Program events are provided to military injured and their families entirely free of charge.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1998. Focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, they offer a toll-free telephone number where confidential assistance is provided by trained counselors. The stated goals of the project are to provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for youth (defined by the organization as people under 25), as well as to offer guidance and resources to parents and educators in order to foster safe, accepting, and inclusive environments for all youth, at home, schools and colleges.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world.

Black Lives Matter Foundation

#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

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Effective August 30, 2018, all items on this list will carry a warning on their specific product pages on our website, in compliance with the new
standards for California Proposition 65.

List of Styles Requiring CA Proposition 65 Warning

Effective August 30, 2018, all items on this list will carry a warning on their specific product pages on our website, in compliance with the new
standards for California Proposition 65.

Sample of Product Page with Warning

Styles that require a warning under California Proposition 65 will display it on our website. Click the link below to view an example.

Sample of Warning on Packing List

We will also print a warning on all packing lists that contain any item requiring a California Proposition 65 warning.

Sample of Printable Warning Label

We will also print a warning on all packing lists that contain any item requiring a California Proposition 65 warning.

More Information

The State of California maintains a website specifically to address Proposition 65 and its associated warning requirements. A link is below
for your further reference.

Starting from The Inside

ESG at S&S Activewear - People - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Icon

Corporate Culture

We're united by a single, shared mission. Our ability to work together makes our dreams fully attainable. As we grow, we'll continue to build on these values, welcoming new ideas and innovative schools of thought that not only make us the team we are but evolve into who we want to be.
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Professional Development

At S&S, we strive to create a path of opportunity for all our employees. Here, you can build a career from scratch, collaborating cross functionally every day to create a more diverse tomorrow.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity is the foundation of progress. Our values reflect that very notion, and every customer, vendor, and employee should feel surrounded by warm welcomes, the utmost appreciation and respect all because they are simply themselves.
ESG at S&S Activewear - People - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Icon

Corporate Philanthropy

Philanthropy is rooted in our history, and we’re proud to support people in the communities we serve. Through our S&S Grant Program, we’re able to reach organizations all over the country and provide them with an apparel grant to support their goals and mission.

Over the years we’ve participated in volunteer days with organizations like Gotta Have Sole and Operation Gratitude, as well as hosted blood drives, supply drives for the Ukraine, and other local charities.

Finally, we’ve initiated a multi-year project with our partners at Tultex to help build water towers in remote and underserved communities in Mexico. Be on the lookout for more to come!
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Occupational Health & Safety

We aim to build a culture where all employees contribute to and take ownership of maintaining a safe work environment.

S&S Activewear's goal is not only to minimize operational accidents, but to have zero incidents year-round. To reach this goal, we will continue to pursue Health and Safety improvements through various initiatives.
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Safety Training

Ensuring our teams are properly trained in all safety procedures for each job is imperative to their success. We put in over 12,000 hours of training in 2022, ensuring each distribution center is well-equipped with the knowledge of proper machine operating procedures, safe lifting, restocking, and order packing.
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Creating a Flexible Workplace

At S&S, we aim to balance flexibility, productivity, and collaboration. Having time to work remotely has benefits for individual productivity as well as balancing work/life demands. At the same time, research tells us that when people work in the office regularly they are more engaged, have a stronger sense of belonging and report overall higher satisfaction with work.

As such, we’ve embraced a hybrid work model that provides the benefits of both remote and in-person work environments.
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at S&S Activewear

What You Need to Know

What Is Give Back Box?

Give Back Box operates as the logistical muscle behind many large retailer donation programs by connecting businesses with charities across the US and abroad. They provide consumers with an easy way to donate old clothing and household items (or in our case extra samples or damaged inventory), therefore extending the life of donations and alleviating landfill overflow.

Give Back Box works with charities that support causes like domestic violence, mental health, and economic growth.

What Can I Donate?

This program is designed to provide a solution for textile waste in our industry. Therefore, you can donate things like sample overflow, old or damaged inventory, displays, and everything inbetween. In addition, if you have old clothes to get rid of at home those donations are always welcome.

When Can I Donate?

This program will live as a year-round effort under the Make an Imprint umbrella. There is no limit to how many labels you can download. This means you can continuously send in as many boxes as you need to, as often as you need.

How Do I Send My Donation?

For US based donators, please visit this site to download your pre-paid shipping label.

Once you’ve packed your recycled box to the brim, attach your label and drop off your box at a UPS location.

Apply Now

How to Qualify

If you’re a nonprofit charity or organization (with a 501(c)(3) designation), religious organization or accredited school, you’re eligible to apply for a grant. How to Apply? Applications are open year-round! Grants are awarded monthly; if your application is approved you will be notified via email during the first two weeks of the month after which you applied. Recipients are eligible again after 1 calendar year.
Apply Now
Application Period
Recipients Notified
January 1st-31st
February 8th
February 1st - 28th
March 8th
March 1st - 31st
April 10th
April 1st - 30th
May 8th
May 1st - 31st
June 8th
June 1st - 30th
July 10th
July 1st - 31st
August 8th
August 1st - 31st
September 8th
September 1st - 30th
October 9th
October 1st - 31st
November 8th
November 1st - 30th
December 8th
December 1st - 31st
January 8th (2024)

Other Questions You Might Ask?

Where is my donation going and what happens to it?

The boxes are routed directly to the nearest participating local charity organization. Donated items are sorted and sold by the participating charity, and revenues are used to help fund community-based programs, including job training, employment placement services and support services.

What is the weight limit and box size requirement for my donation?

The maximum weight is 70 pounds. The combined length and girth of a piece (the length of its longest side plus the distance around its thickest part) may not exceed 108 inches. Please do not send large electronics, any liquids, fragile, hazardous, or volatile items, or ammunition in boxes.

Can I choose the charity that gets my donation?

Yes! If you choose to select which charity receives your donation, you will be asked to cover the $15 shipping cost. You can select a charity by visiting this site.

Is there a fee for donating?

There is no cost to participate, however if you select one of Give Back Box’s partner charities to receive your donation rather than sending it straight to Give Back Box, there is a $15 shipping fee.

But what about carbon emissions?

Give Back Box operates using reverse logistic solutions, meaning your donation will only get to the charity if there is already a truck going that way. This prevents extra driving, which means less carbon emissions, and promotes cleanerair.

844-995-4876
Apply Now

Energy Management

Solar Panels

We've outfitted our corporate headquarters and 5 of our 6 distribution centers with solar panels, which are now largely powered by solar energy. This gives us the ability to generate clean, renewable power and help reduce greenhouses gases in the communities in which we operate.

LEED Certified

Our Lockport, IL distribution center is LEED certified. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership and is available for virtually all building types.

LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. It is said that on average LEED certified buildings can use anywhere from 25-30% less energy than traditional buildings.

High-Efficiency Lighting

We use LED lighting in all of our facilities. That’s because LEDs are up to 80% more efficient than CFLs and incandescent bulbs. In addition, our warehouse lighting is activated by motion sensors. When the aisles aren’t occupied, we’re not wasting energy

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Freight Optimizer

Designed to create efficiency and cutout excess carbon emissions, our freight optimizer tool allows customers to choose the shipping option best for their needs and for the planet.

Zone Skipping

In an effort to cut gas emissions and lessen shipment travel, we’ve implemented zone skipping, or otherwise known as freight consolidation.

This means our shipments are presorted at the point of origin based on its final destination before the carrier takes possession.

Waste & Water Management

Recycling

Boxes: We make a huge effort to reuse boxes still in good condition for shipping our orders. We’re proud that we only ship a small percentage of our orders using brand-new boxes, greatly reducing our cardboard waste.

Paper Recycling Baskets: Each ton (2,000 pounds) of recycled paper can save an impressive 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy and 7,000 gallons of water. We’ve also chosen to place paper-recycling bins throughout our offices, so it's a cinch for employees to recycle their paper waste.

Recycling Stations: Our office lunchrooms include individual receptacles, so our employees and guests proactively recycle their paper, aluminum, and plastic.

Textiles: We want to provide a more sustainable solution to landfills, so we partnered with Give Back Box to launch a donation program.

Reduction of Single Use Plastics

Water Refilling Stations: More than 60 million plastic bottles get tossed every day. That adds up to a staggering 22 billion bottles a year in landfills and water sources.

That's why we decided to install water refilling stations at all our facilities and provided employees with reusable bottles.

We’re happy to say that we’ve greatly reduced our plastic bottle waste, plus our employees are happily hydrated.

Energy Management

LEED Certified

Our Lockport, IL distribution center is LEED certified. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and 
leadership, and is available for virtually all building types. LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. It is said that on average LEED certified buildings can use anywhere from 25-30% less energy than traditional buildings.

High-Effenciency Lighting

We use LED lighting in all of our 
facilities. That’s because LEDs are 
up to 80% more efficient than CFLs and incandescent bulbs. 
In addition, our warehouse lighting is activated by motion sensors. When the aisles aren’t occupied, we’re not wasting energy.

Lifetime Solar Energy Generated

Lifetime Solar Energy Generated at SS Activewear

7,333,371 kwh

We’ve installed solar paneling systems at our Reno, Fort Worth, Olathe, Lockport, and McDonough distribution centers as well as our corporate headquarters with the goal of fully powering each location with solar energy. To date we have generated over 7.3M kWh of renewable energy 
across all 6 locations. That’s equivalent to over 12M miles not driven.

Lifetime stats across all 6 locations with solar energy:

583K

Gallons of gasoline not used

5.7M

Lbs. of coal not burned

3.9M

Lbs. of garbage recycled

86K

Mature trees grown

7.3M

kWh of solar energy created

12.5M

Miles not driven

Events and Travel

S&S tradeshows, events, and travel are a large area in which we are constantly looking to improve our waste and carbon emissions offset. By using a sustainability check list to keep quick wins top of mind, our events 
team prioritizes ecofriendly substitutions for food & beverage waste, water bottle waste, and giveaways.

Where possible, we partner with hotels, airfare, and car rental agencies that keep sustainability top of mind. We consistently encourage our employees to utilize rideshare companies when possible, as well as virtual meetings in place of in-person.

Cutting back on
water consumption

By installing low flow toilets and waterless urinals at our facilities, we’ve saved an estimated over 120,000 gallons of water per year.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

ESG Greenhouse Gas Emissions at S&S Activewear

Freight Optimizer

Designed to create efficiency and cutout excess carbon emissions, our freight optimizer tool allows customers to choose the shipping option best for their needs and for the planet.

Zone Skipping

In an effort to cut gas emissions and lessen shipment travel, we’ve implemented zone skipping, or otherwise known as freight consolidation. This means our shipments are presorted at the point of origin based on its final destination before the carrier takes possession.

Waste Management

Waste & Water Management at SS Activewear

Recycling

Boxes: We make a huge effort to reuse boxes still in good condition for shipping our orders. We’re proud that we only ship a small percentage of our orders using
brand-new boxes, greatly reducing our cardboard waste.

Paper Recycling Baskets: We’ve also chosen to place paper-recycling bins throughout our offices, so it's a cinch for employees to recycle their paper waste.

Recycling Stations: Our office lunchrooms include individual receptacles, so our employees and guests proactively recycle their paper, aluminum, and plastic.

Textiles: We want to help find a solution to the growing problem of textile waste, so we partnered with Give Back Box to create a textile recycling program. To date we’ve donated over 70,000 pounds of clothing.

Reduction of Single Use Plastics

Water Refilling Stations: We've installed water refill stations in most of our facilities so employees can use their refillable water bottles. We're happy to say we've saved over 610,000 water bottles to date since the installation of these stations.

What You Need to Know

ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Recycle Icon
What Is Give Back Box?
Give Back Box operates as the logistical muscle behind many large retailer donation programs by connecting businesses with charities across the US and abroad. They provide consumers with an easy way to donate old clothing and household items (or in our case extra samples or damaged inventory), therefore extending the life of donations and alleviating landfill overflow.

Give Back Box works with charities that support causes like domestic violence, mental health, and economic growth.
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Donate Icon
What Can I Donate?
This program is designed to provide a solution for textile waste in our industry. Therefore, you can donate things like sample overflow, old or damaged inventory, displays, and everything in between. In addition, if you have old clothes to get rid of at home those donations are always welcome.
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Donate Time Icon
When Can I Donate?
This program will live as a year-round effort under the Make an Imprint umbrella. There is no limit to how many labels you can download. This means you can continuously send in as many boxes as you need to, as often as you need.
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Send Donate Icon
How Do I Send My Donation?
For US based donators, please visit this site to download your pre-paid shipping label. Once you’ve packed your recycled box to the brim, attach your label and drop off your box at a UPS location.
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Packing Box Icon
Pack It Up
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Print Box Shipping Label Icon
Print Label
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Ship Box Icon
Ship It Out

Other Questions You Might Ask?

Where is my donation going and what happens to it?
The boxes are routed directly to the nearest participating local charity organization. Donated items are sorted and sold by the participating charity, and revenues are used to help fund community-based programs, including job training, employment placement services and support services.
What is the weight limit and box size requirement for my donation?
The maximum weight is 70 pounds. The combined length and girth of a piece (the length of its longest side plus the distance around its thickest part) may not exceed 108 inches. Please do not send large electronics, any liquids, fragile, hazardous, or volatile items, or ammunition in boxes.
Can I choose the charity that gets my donation?
Yes! If you choose to select which charity receives your donation, you will be asked to cover the $15 shipping cost. You can select a charity by visiting this site.
Where is my donation going and what happens to it?
The boxes are routed directly to the nearest participating local charity organization. Donated items are sorted and sold by the participating charity, and revenues are used to help fund community-based programs, including job training, employment placement services and support services.
Is there a fee for donating?
There is no cost to participate, however if you select one of Give Back Box’s partner charities to receive your donation rather than sending it straight to Give Back Box, there is a $15 shipping fee.
But what about carbon emissions?
Give Back Box operates using reverse logistic solutions, meaning your donation will only get to the charity if there is already a truck going that way. This prevents extra driving, which means less carbon emissions, and promotes cleaner air.
What is Make an Imprint?
Make an Imprint
Recycle your old textiles with S&S
SS Activewear Recycling Old Textiles
Textile Recycling Quick Read
Textile Recycling FAQ

What You Need to Know

ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Recycle Icon
What Is Give Back Box?
Give Back Box operates as the logistical muscle behind many large retailer donation programs by connecting businesses with charities across the US and abroad. They provide consumers with an easy way to donate old clothing and household items (or in our case extra samples or damaged inventory), therefore extending the life of donations and alleviating landfill overflow.

Give Back Box works with charities that support causes like domestic violence, mental health, and economic growth.
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Donate Icon
What Can I Donate?
You can donate things like sample overflow, old or damaged inventory, displays, and everything in between. In addition, if you have old clothes to get rid of at home those donations are always welcome.
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Donate Time Icon
When Can I Donate?
This program is a year-round effort, and it's completely free to you. There is no limit on how many labels you can download. This means you can send in as many boxes as you need to, as often as you need to.
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Send Donate Icon
How Do I Send My Donation?
For US based donators, please visit this site to download your pre-paid shipping label.

Once you’ve packed your recycled box to the brim, attach your label and drop off your box at a UPS location.

Want to Get Your Customer Involved?

Download a generic version of the Give Back Box flyer or share the link below
with your customer to create their own Give Back labels.

ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Packing Box Icon
Pack It Up
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Print Box Shipping Label Icon
Print Label
ESG at S&S Activewear - Textile Recycling Program - Ship Box Icon
Ship It Out

Other Questions You Might Ask?

What is the weight limit and box size requirement for my donation?
The maximum weight is 70 pounds. The combined length and girth of a piece (the length of its longest side plus the distance around its thickest part) may not exceed 108 inches.
What donations are not accepted?
Please do not send large electronics, any liquids, fragile, hazardous, or volatile items, or ammunition in boxes.
Can I choose the charity that gets my donation?
Yes! You have the option to select which charity receives your donation, however additional fees may apply. Visit this site for more information https://givebackbox.shop.
But what about carbon emissions?
Give Back Box operates using reverse logistic solutions, meaning your donation will only get to the charity if there is already a truck going that way. This prevents extra driving, which means less carbon emissions, and promotes cleaner air.