PPE eye protection manufacturer Bollé Safety has presented its first ESG report: A complete approach combining the transformation of its products and its entire value chain. The new report follows the publication of its carbon footprint last year.

Accompanied by an ambitious transformation strategy involving all its products and processes, the report outline’s the brand’s aim to achieve international B-Corp certification by 2024 and to reduce the carbon emissions of each of its products by 35% by 2027.

Reducing the environmental impacts

Bollé Safety’s first major project is to reduce the environmental impact of its products and packaging.

After becoming aware that a significant part of its carbon footprint relates to the life cycle of its products (>75%), Bollé Safety said this project is a priority with a clear objective: to propose an eco-friendly version of 100% of its new products and 50% of its top sellers by 2025.

A a result, Bollé Safety has developed three eco-friendly products for professionals in the health and industry sector (see opposite). These have enabled the company to test different recycled and biosourced raw materials, new production processes and recycling solutions. Products that will serve as a basis for imagining the brand’s next eco-responsible innovations and reaching the final goal of 2025.

The products are:

• The Cura F, made in England with 97% recycled polyamide
• The Solis Go Green, of which 33% of the frame is made from recycled materials (nylon made from recycled fishing line)
• The Klassee, with a frame made of 48% of organic castor oil

Packaging

The brand, which equips 20 million users worldwide, is also working on its packaging with the ambition that 95% of them will be eco-friendly by 2024.

Bollé Safety was the first PPE eyewear manufacturer to provide BPA-free polyethylene bags for all its products since the 2000s. Currently, two types of packaging are available: the eco-packaging and the eco-polybag.

The eco-packaging is batch packaging, plastic-free, 100% recycled and recyclable and optimized for 30% less waste compared to plastic alternatives. The instructions for use are printed directly on the cardboard with vegetable-based ink and the size of the packaging is optimised for transport without empty space. The eco-packaging is the most sustainable packaging available on the market.

The eco-polybag: A unitary plastic packaging with 100% recycled polyethylene bags. New since January 2023, Bollé Safety manufactures all its products with this packaging, which is easy to recycle.

Ian Walbeoff – Vice President of Sales EMEA commented: “Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions across our entire value chain is a central topic for us. It is part of the objective of contributing to long-term carbon neutrality.

“To develop our climate objectives, we have chosen a short-term objective of reducing the carbon intensity of our products, at a pace compatible with the Paris Agreement. Our new objective, from 2024, is that each subject of innovation contributes to reducing the environmental footprint of Bollé Safety products”.

Long term value chain transformation

Bollé Safety has said it aspires to effect its transformation in a global and sustainable manner. It, therefore, includes in its CSR approach, actions to improve its social impact: Ensure ethical working practices in the supply chain; Developing diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement; Support, through its philanthropic commitment, causes aligned with its values.

A roadmap that aims to include its social and environmental purpose directly in its legal statutes and to be B Corp certified by 2024.

To move towards a sustainable model, Bollé Safety has become a member of SEDEX, an independent organisation supporting companies in their management of social and environmental risk.

The eye protection brand has established that 100% of its suppliers must sign its code of conduct aimed at respect with the United Nations Global Pact by the end of March 2023. This legal document requires the respect of regulations and social and environmental standards.

It allows the French company to audit them and sanction them in the event of non-compliance with the code. Presently, only three of its suppliers present a high risk of non-compliance.

Responsible and Respectful

Quentin Chapelain, Bollé Safety ESG Manager said: “Our responsible purchasing approach aims to make our supply chain ever more responsible and respectful of people and the environment. This CSR report goes beyond an environmental strategy, it also encompasses the social side and governance. We hope that our action will help engage all stakeholders towards a more sustainable model”–

Bollé Safety’s ESG report highlights an additional step for the brand, whose ambition is to move towards a sustainable model, both in terms of economic and social strategy. The UK is a priority market for Bollé Safety, the latter aims to help transform the market to position itself as a national and international prime-mover.