Marmot

Marmot is well known for producing good quality technical gear – clothing, tents, sleeping bags and so on.  They appear to take their committment to reducing impact and providing good work environments seriously. They are obviously very proud of the technological and performance aspects of their gear.

CATEGORY: leader (***)

According to the company site, sustainability is a core principle of their operations:

“Sustainability: We will not have a business in the future unless we make choices every day that sustain it. In the array of those daily choices, we will make those that better insure our continued business success, promote our value of the individual, and reduce our impact on our environment.

Our environmental ethic is founded on a deliberate practice of reduction. While we will recycle and reuse at every opportunity up and down our supply chain, it is our primary goal to consciously reduce our negative impact on the environment in every venue where we can exert control. We act to reduce that impact in small, measured steps at every stage of our business, from design to material and process selection to production to sales and marketing to distribution, always without compromising the performance, durability or quality of our products”.

Marmot has a Code of Ethics which “applies to every employee, executive officer, agent, representative, consultant, and intern of Marmot Mountain”. This provides details on their approach to materials use and expected conditions in their production facilities.

It directs the conduct between any employee and our customers, distributors, competitors, vendors, and contractors. Every Marmot employee is required to read, understand, acknowledge, and operate within the Marmot Code of Ethics. This Code does not give any employee rights of any kind and may be changed at any time. Adherence to the Marmot Code of Ethics is a condition of continued employment.

Since its inception in 1974, Marmot has been a values-based company. Our values have molded the shape of our company, the character of our products, and the conduct of our employees. Our ethics are founded on the values of:

* Integrity
* Respect for the individual
* Sustainability
* Performance excellence
* Accountability

Integrity: Our business is shaped by the choices we each make. The everyday choices we make in our business lives should first promote honesty, fairness, trust, confidentiality, and transparency. These qualities are the foundation of our relationships with our customers, our communities, our stakeholders and each other. Simply stated, we will do the right thing.

Respect for the individual: Our strength lies in our diversity, respect and inclusion. We champion and thrive on our differences and celebrate our ability to progress and realize our full potential as individuals within our Marmot workplace, without harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or discrimination.

Sustainability: We will not have a business in the future unless we make choices every day that sustain it. In the array of those daily choices, we will make those that better insure our continued business success, promote our value of the individual, and reduce our impact on our environment.

Our environmental ethic is founded on a deliberate practice of reduction. While we will recycle and reuse at every opportunity up and down our supply chain, it is our primary goal to consciously reduce our negative impact on the environment in every venue where we can exert control. We act to reduce that impact in small, measured steps at every stage of our business, from design to material and process selection to production to sales and marketing to distribution, always without compromising the performance, durability or quality of our products.

Performance Excellence: We pride ourselves in the refined aesthetic, craftsmanship and utility of our products. We achieve excellence in our products by demanding the highest standard of excellence of ourselves and by consistently meeting or exceeding the expectations of our customers.

Accountability: We each take responsibility for our actions as individuals, as team members and as a community. This means we respond honestly and in a timely manner to inquiries, complaints and questions. We work actively to be fair to and support each other. We count on each other. We ask. We do what we say we are going to do.

Sustainability criteria:

• reporting framework: how does the company benchmark what it does/ reports? Does it use one of the international accredited systems

no information

• information on resources used – recycled materials, use of renewable materials, etc

There is a lot of technical information on the materials used in Marmot gear in their Tech Manual: http://marmot.com/sites/marmot.com/files/Tech_Manual_09_optimized.pdf although not a great deal of detail about sustainability measures.

The tech manual shows that a growing number of Marmot items, including backpacks and bags use:
“Marmot UpCycle® which are “products minimize our impact on the environment by using natural, organic, and recycled or discarded materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Our UpCycle® fabric is made from recycled plastic…hence the name “UpCycle”. When you recycle plastic, you get more plastic; when we UpCycle® plastic, we get fabric, a greater value and a broader use”.

• energy consumption
• carbon dioxide emissions
  
• distance travelled
  
• waste generated
  
• water consumption
  
• working conditions

From the company:

“Marmot Mountain LLC. is committed to the highest standards of policy, behavior and performance on issues of social responsibility. Through this Vendor Compliance Policy, it holds all of its vendors and suppliers, referred to as “Vendor Partners”, to the same high standards. Marmot’s Policy is based on internationally accepted standards of conduct and the laws and regulations applicable to the country in which its merchandise is produced. Because Marmot does not own or operate any manufacturing facilities, it requires its Vendor Partners to ensure that the products sold to Marmot retailers throughout the world are manufactured in a socially responsible manner. This Policy details Marmot’s expectations regarding wages, child labor, health and safety issues, prison labor, free association of workers and more. Marmot’s Policy is publicly posted on its Web site at http://www.marmot.com

“Marmot’s purpose is to define a vision of shared responsibility that can be accepted by its vendor partners. Marmot commits itself to an ongoing effort to hold itself accountable to these standards while monitoring the progress of current and potential vendors. It is Marmot’s firm intention that its Vendor Partners abide by these standards and ensure they understand Marmot’s intention to suspend business with those who violate this Vendor Compliance Policy.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Apparel Industry Partnership, The Convention of Rights of the Child are incorporated by reference into the following Marmot Vendor Compliance Policy.

Marmot Vendor Compliance Policy:

1. Forced Labor
There shall be no use of forced labor in any form, whether in the form of prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor or otherwise.

2. Child Labor
No person shall be employed at an age younger than 15 or, in the alternative, younger than the age for completing compulsory education in the country of manufacture where such age is higher than 15.

3. Harassment or Abuse
Workers shall be treated with respect and dignity. Workers shall not be subject to any physical, verbal, sexual or psychological harassment or abuse in connection with their employment.

4. Nondiscrimination
Workers should be employed and compensated based upon their ability to perform their job, not on the basis of gender, race, age, color, national origin, disability, citizenship, veteran status, marital status sexual orientation, religious or cultural beliefs.

5. Health and Safety
Employers shall provide a safe and sanitary working environment in order to avoid preventable work-related accidents and injuries.

6. Freedom of Association
Employers shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

7. Disciplinary Practices/Coercion
Marmot works only with partners that do not use physical or mental disciplinary tactics. Further, no employee should be subject to threats of violence, sexual harassment or psychological abuse.

8. Wages and Benefits
Employers should recognize that wages are essential to meeting their employee’s basic needs. Employers shall pay workers for all work completed and shall pay at least the minimum wage required by law or the prevailing industry wage, whichever is higher, and shall provide legally mandated benefits.

9. Work Hours
Except in extraordinary business circumstances, employees shall (i) not be required to work more than the lesser of (a) 48 hours per week and 12 hours overtime or (b) the limits on regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country of manufacture or, where the laws of such country do not limit the hours of work, the regular work week in such country plus 12 hours overtime and (ii) be entitled to at least one day off in every seven day period. . Workers shall not be asked or required to take work home or off premises.

10. Overtime
It is understood that overtime is often required in the manufacturing process. In addition to compensation for regular hours of work, workers shall be compensated for overtime hours at such a premium rate as legally required or, in countries where there is no legal standard, at industry standards. In no event shall this be at a rate less than the regular hourly rate. Factories shall carry out operations in ways that limit overtime to a level that ensures productive and humane working conditions.

11. Compliance with Laws
All Standards set forth in this Vendor Compliance Policy are subject to compliance with applicable local law. All vendors shall operate in full compliance with the laws of their respective country of manufacture. If any standard set forth in this Policy is, in the vendor’s judgment, deemed to violate an applicable local law, it must advise Marmot promptly in writing.

12. Subcontractors
Subcontracting without the prior written consent of Marmot is prohibited. Penalties for subcontracting without Marmot’s prior written consent will include loss of future business. All approved agents of Contractors are held to same standards, policies, rules and regulations of principal contractors.

13. Marmot’s Animal Rights Policy
We believe in the humane treatment of animals. We do not use down provided by “live pluck” operations. We only use down provided after geese have been harvested for food. Our vendors are required to certify that they are complying with our animal rights policy.

• other environmental claims or benefits
  
• details on who stocks the item/ where to find it/ where to get further information

In Australia, Marmot is distributed via Larry Adler, with an online shop and stores in the following locations: Kent St Sydney, Chatswood, Collaroy, and Jindabyne
More info here.

http://marmot.com/

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Buffalo Plateau & The Razorback, VIC