Counselor Top 40 supplier SanMar (asi/84863) is making strides in its efforts to become more sustainable.

The Issaquah, WA-based apparel company noted a slew of achievements across three key pillars of people, planet and product in its just-released 2024 Sustainability Update.

“Our goals are ambitious,” said Jeremy Lott, SanMar’s president and CEO and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the most influential people in promo, in the report’s opening letter. “We’ll achieve them by staying dedicated to our customers and holding true to our purpose.”

SanMar (asi/84863) recently released its 2024 Sustainability Update, with details on its progress in the three key pillars of people, planet and product.

Among the highlights in this year’s update: SanMar said it reduced its combined Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions intensity (the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated per pound of product) by 11% from a 2019 baseline.

Last year, the supplier launched several efforts to help reduce its overall energy usage, kicking off projects to install solar panels at its Ohio and Texas warehouses. When completed, the panels will provide the equivalent annual energy use of roughly 270 homes, according to the supplier. SanMar has also been implementing efficient lighting across locations. At the end of 2024, all of its distribution hubs had at least some LED lighting, with additional installations scheduled for this year.

“Our 2024 Sustainability Update reflects an inflection point in our journey – where ambition meets action.” Emily Gigot, SanMar (asi/84863)

Also of note, the Puget Sound Business Journal recognized SanMar for its waste reduction efforts in its annual Sustainability Awards. SanMar said it diverted 1,958 pounds of textiles and 17,550 pounds of electronic waste from landfills.

Furthermore, in 2024, SanMar joined bluesign as a System Partner, integrating the sustainability certification firm’s standards into its supply chain to meet stringent environmental and safety criteria.

Greener Goods & Giving Back

On the product side, SanMar said it now offers more than 200 styles featuring lower-impact materials, such as the Port & Company core blend recycled tee (PC01), which is made from 50% pre-consumer recycled cotton and 50% rPET (recycled polyester).

Notably, the supplier offset 20,000 metric tons of CO2 in 2024 through sales of its C-FREE collection, with all styles certified by sustainability company ClimeCo to have a reduced carbon footprint through the use of preferred materials and investments in carbon offsetting programs.

“Our goals are ambitious. We’ll achieve them by staying dedicated to our customers and holding true to our purpose.” Jeremy Lott, SanMar (asi/84863)

Giving back is also paramount for the SanMar team.

Employees visited Honduras to meet factory workers and volunteer in the local community, as part of the supplier’s inaugural Global Connections service project. The company donated a portion of sales from its Charity Tech Packs to the American Cancer Society and American Red Cross.

SanMar also hosted a “Games for Good” event, giving employees a chance to participate in a fun workplace initiative while also raising $77,000 each for the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society through the games. In addition, SanMar became a national sponsor for the Breakthrough T1D Walk program, beginning a long-term commitment to support a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Other 2024 charity efforts included in-kind product donations totaling more than $37,000 to a variety of organizations, including Friends of the Children, Renewal Food Bank, Issaquah School District and Chandler’s Hope Clothes Closet.

“Our 2024 Sustainability Update reflects an inflection point in our journey – where ambition meets action,” said Emily Gigot, director of sustainability at SanMar. “Whether it’s our commitment to making Type 1 diabetes a thing of the past, implementing solar in our operations or rapid growth in our sustainable product offering, we’re stepping up the pace to drive meaningful change in our climate and the communities we serve.”

The full updates can be downloaded at SanMar’s “A Canvas for Good” sustainability hub.

Family owned and run, SanMar operates nine distribution centers nationwide and offers apparel from more than 30 brands. The company ranked first on Counselor’s most recent list of the top suppliers in the promotional products industry, with estimated 2023 revenue of $3.6 billion. The new list is due out in July.

Promo for the Planet is your destination for the latest news, biggest trends and best ideas to help build a more sustainable and socially-responsible industry.