Responsibility

The Environment

When we think about limiting our impact on the environment, it’s not just the product manufacturing process that springs to mind. We also want to reduce the effect our office, business operations and travel have on the environment. Our priorities are to use less energy, to recycle more and to use water and other natural resources responsibly.

In 2010, we moved to our new headquarters in Nottingham, UK. Designed with energy-efficiency in mind, the building is rated as ‘excellent’ by sustainable building experts BREEAM, has a level B Energy Performance Certificate, and uses half as much energy as our previous base.

All the paper we use is Forest Stewardship Council certified, and when we have to make purchases for our office, we choose furniture with high recycled content. Did you know that we recycle 94 percent of our waste and we’re working towards sending zero waste to landfill?

Since 2007, Speedo has also supported ocean advocate and pioneer swimmer, Lewis Pugh. Renowned for swimming in vulnerable ecosystems, Lewis aims to highlight the human impact on the world’s oceans and raise global awareness about key environmental issues. Lewis has published two inspirational books, one of which is titled ‘21 Yaks and a Speedo’.

Our Products

Whether you swim for fun, fitness or victory, everyone has the right to enjoy an active lifestyle. Because we have equal respect for the environment, Speedo understands the demand for launching eco-friendly products.

One of the ways we help reduce environmental damage is by researching the impact our swimwear products have on water, waste and energy resources. When it comes to improving the manufacturing process, our designers and suppliers are given expert guidance on how to avoid the use of potentially harmful substances. For example, the packaging materials for Speedo goggles come from certified sustainable sources, while footwear, swim caps and other equipment are now widely recyclable.

We believe it’s important to reuse as many of our excess products and materials as possible, which is why we look for alternative ways to avoid wastage. Our H2O Active range uses ECONYL®, an innovative fabric made by turning waste from fishing nets, plastics and even carpet, into first grade Nylon. We’ve also donated unsold LZR Racer suits to ethical fashion brands, and donated swimwear to Oxfam’s charity enterprise in Senegal, where it’s re-sold at local markets.

We consider every aspect of the manufacturing process carefully, right down to our shipping methods. Wherever possible, Speedo products are shipped to you by sea or by road to reduce emission levels.

Ethical Trade

We source Speedo products from suppliers around the world who employ thousands of people. We recognise the complex ethical issues within the apparel and footwear manufacturing supply chain, and we're working to better understand these issues every day.

One of our top priorities is employee welfare, so it’s important that our suppliers share the same passion for people. Our policy is to only do business with suppliers that adopt and implement our standards, or have policies that reflect the same values.

We conduct regular visits to all our supplier factories where we monitor their performance against our standards. Where our assessments identify room for improvement, we work with suppliers to make the best possible changes. This way, we can do our bit to help safeguard the welfare of the people who make our products.