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sustainability

Ruffwear’s 2023 Impact Report Recap

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At Ruffwear, we strive to minimize our environmental impact while making a positive contribution to the world. Built on a foundation of sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and conscious design, our sustainability journey is dedicated to creating products that allow dogs and humans to explore the outdoors while preserving it for future generations. Our yearly Impact Report highlights some of the ways we're achieving this, and we’ve rounded up the top takeaways from the 2023 report here.

Climate Action Plan

As part of our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing preventative measures to address the negative outcomes of climate change, we’ve set some bold goals: 

  • Climate Neutral by 2027
  • 63% reduction of absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions and 52% reduction of scope3 GHG emissions per dollar of gross profit by 2029 from a 2019 base year.
  • Climate Positive by 2030
Man biking with his dog.

In addition to progressing towards our goals, we’ve already seen some pretty amazing results through our climate action efforts:

  • 100% of our headquarters’ electricity comes from renewable sources
  • 107 MWh in surplus solar electricity sent to our local grid since the installation of our solar panels in 2020 
  • 97% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from purchased electricity

Product Responsibility 

Ruffwear is dedicated to creating products responsibly. This includes strict chemical management, environmental impact assessment through Higg, and ongoing improvements in sourcing and design to minimize our ecological footprint while maintaining the durability you expect.

Here is a summary of our commitments and progress to date:

PFAS-Free by 2024

Ruffwear set a goal to stop manufacturing with materials containing intentionally added PFAS across our entire product line by January 1, 2024. 

  • Achievement: Ceased all manufacturing with materials that contain intentionally added PFAS by January 1, 2024. 

Better With Each Design

Each time we make changes to an existing product, we strive for improvement in the environmental performance compared to its previous version. 

  • Achievement: 80% of revamped designs in the Fall/Winter 2023 launch and 100% in the Spring/Summer 2024 launch reduced impact compared to their previous versions.
Man adventuring with his dog.

bluesign® System Partner Brand

Through the bluesign® system, our suppliers are evaluated and coached by experts on the environmental and human health impacts of the chemicals they bring into their facilities. We choose the bluesign® system because it gives us confidence that the processes behind our materials and products are safe for the workers, environment, and our customers.

  • Achievement: Two of our key webbing suppliers are now bluesign® certified

Supply Chain Responsibility

Ruffwear prioritizes the safety and well-being of workers and the communities where we operate. As part of our supply chain responsibility efforts, we have:

  • A Code of Conduct and Chemicals Management Agreement: These “rules of engagement” cover social/labor and chemicals management practices that Ruffwear is committed to upholding within our Supply Chain.
  • A localized sourcing strategy in Vietnam: Over 95% of Ruffwear products are manufactured in Vietnam, with the remainder being built in Taiwan and China. We source as many of our materials from Vietnam as possible, which allows us to reduce the GHG emissions associated with transportation between production facilities, as well as the importation and exportation logistics within the majority of our supply chain. 
  • A global distribution center that delivers product to upwards of 24 countries: Our bonded warehouse in Vietnam allows us to service many of our distributors directly from Vietnam rather than first having to import the product to our distribution center in Portland, OR — this shortens transportation legs. 

Partner Highlight

Ruffwear's success is deeply intertwined with the incredible work of our partners. Each Impact Report is an opportunity to shine a light on their contributions. This year, we’re highlighting Hwaseung USV, which has been Ruffwear’s apparel factory partner for ten years. 

Ruffwear partner Hwaseung USV.

USV is renowned for its dedication to sustainability. With a 16-year commitment to the Better Work program, a joint initiative of the International Labor Organization and the International Finance Corporation, USV has been instrumental in improving working conditions across the apparel and footwear industries through comprehensive training, rigorous assessments, and policy development.

Employees at Hwaseung USV.

As early adopters of the Higg Facility Modules, USV has consistently demonstrated exceptional environmental performance. Their recent 2022 and 2023 Higg Facility Environmental Module scores highlight their strong focus on environmental management, energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction. USV’s expertise in wastewater management further solidifies their position as a sustainability leader in the apparel industry and we’re proud to be their partner.

Paw It Forward

We believe in using our business for good and cultivating a world where all dogs and their human companions thrive in the outdoors. Our Paw It Forward program is designed to give back a portion of revenue to organizations doing meaningful work in land conservation, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, dog adoption, and working dogs. 

Dog sitting next to child with book.

Organizations are nominated by and voted on by Ruffwear employees and ambassadors, and in 2023, Ruffwear donated a total of $50,000 across these four impact areas:

  • Conservation: In 2023, Ruffwear donated to Oregon Desert Land Trust. This is a non-profit organization based in Bend, Oregon that works with land owners, land managers, Tribes, and other partners to conserve high desert lands in the southwest corner of the state.
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: In 2023, Ruffwear donated to SheJumps. SheJumps is non-profit organization that increases the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities to foster confidence, leadership, and connection to nature and community.
  • Dog Adoption: In 2023, Ruffwear donated to Street Dog Hero. Located in Bend, Oregon, Street Dog Hero is a foster-based, nonprofit dog rescue organization that serves communities around the world through adoption, wellness, spay/neuter, and education.
  • Working Dogs: In 2023, Ruffwear donated to Dogs For Better Lives. This is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit that rescues, breeds, trains, and places Assistance Dogs free of charge for deaf or hard-of-hearing adults, children diagnosed with autism, and licensed professionals working with vulnerable communities.
While we take pride in what we’ve achieved in 2023, we remain steadfast in our commitment to building a more sustainable future while we continue to build gear that inspires dog and human adventures outdoors. Read the full 2023 Impact Report to learn more about our sustainability journey.

Further Reading