Environmental Integrity
Midsole manufacture
Original S.W.A.T. ® has completely overhauled midsole manufacturing to almost completely reduce wasted EVA material by using a molding process rather than a sheet/stamping process.
The use of Aegis® Anti-Microbial:
“ The Aegis Microbe Shield® is the environmentally friendly and user friendly antimicrobial. No heavy metals, arsenic, tin or polychlorinated phenols. AEGIS addresses the two main ecological concerns associated with leaching antimicrobials: bleeding harmful toxins into the environment and the generation of adaptive organisms (super bugs). Material treated with this technology and placed in a landfill will break down to basic components in about five years: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and silicon dioxide (sand or quartz) from which it was derived. All antimicrobials are NOT created equal. It is important to understand the basic chemical, physical, and biological properties of an antimicrobial so the best choice can be made. Because of its unique mode of action and inability to migrate from a treated surface, the AEGIS Microbe Shield technology is the obvious choice to minimize environmental contamination and the development of resistant organisms.” – taken from AEGIS® website, www.aegismicrobeshield.com
Solar Energy
” Original S.W.A.T.’s ® corporate headquarters in Stockton are powered by solar panels installed on the roof. With an average of over 200 sunny days a year in a location that is 100% exposed to sunlight, this makes a significant reduction in our carbon footprint and utility bills. This solar power system will provide 100% of our electricity needs. Any additional power generated gets transferred to the grid for other consumers’ use.
Installation of a “Cool Roof”
“Original S.W.A.T.’s ® corporate headquarters in Stockton have a “Cool Roof”, also known as a “White Roof”. This is a product that goes over the existing roofing material and keeps the surface temperature of the roof within 5 degrees of the ambient temperature outside. It does not allow for the normal absorption of heat. For example, if it’s 95 degrees outside, the roof temperature will be about 160 degrees. With the Cool Roof, it’s only 100 degrees. This keeps our warehouse and offices cooler, reducing use of air conditioning and fans. Cool Roof material lasts forever, thereby reducing landfill waste that would occur with roof replacement.
Lighting & A/C
Our Stockton headquarters incorporate other power and cost saving adjustments. Lights have been switched to low-usage CFLs which are on an automatic switch system so that they automatically turn off when not in use. They also have variable usage levels so we can adjust and use the lowest levels needed. We’ve also installed 3 phase air conditioning systems for much better power efficiency and reduced carbon footprint.
Shipping materials
All of our corrugated boxes are made from 80% post-consumer recycled waste paper and are 100% recyclable
Boot Boxes
Our boot boxes are made from approximately 60% post-consumer recycled waste paper and are 100% recyclable.
Drinking Water
Original S.W.A.T. ® has significantly reduced the use of individual bottled water by supplying employees with purified water delivered in re-usable containers and encouraging the use of personal refillable water bottles.
On-site recycling programs
Recycle bins in all company departments for glass, plastic, and aluminum bottles and cans, and paper bins for recycling company waste paper. We have recently switched to recycled paper stock for all of our printed sales and marketing materials.