You know them, you love them. Converse has been a staple in the fashion world for over a century – with their timeless Chuck Taylor All-Star sneaker remaining a favorite across generations. But… times have changed, especially in terms of expectations for companies around environmental and social impact. So has Converse’s sustainability shifted to meet the needs of modern shoppers?

On Karma Wallet, we rate Converse (owned by Nike) a 6 out of 16 – placing them significantly higher than the average rating for most athletic shoe companies. But, they’re not doing enough to receive a Positive rating quite yet.

 Let’s break down the good and the bad of Converse’s sustainability journey.

The Good

Innovative Shoe Materials

In 1908, Marquis Converse started the Converse Rubber Company in Boston. In 2003, Converse joined Nike, Inc. Their shoes have always been primarily made from natural materials like cotton and rubber – but in recent years, select models have prioritized recycled content materials.

For example their Converse Renew collection features shoes made from recycled polyester, upcycled textiles, and other sustainable materials. But… These shoes aren’t available as broadly as other models. 

Converse has also made commitments to eliminating hazardous chemicals from its production process by 2025, which they are on track towards doing.

This means no chemicals like phthalates, ensuring their gear is safer both for consumers and their workers. 

They have a great start thanks to their use of natural materials – but we’d like to see even more commitment to recycled, renewable, and biobased materials in ALL of their products.

Durability Equals Longevity

While fast fashion is often criticized for creating disposable clothing and shoes, Converse products are known for their durability. A pair of Chuck Taylors can last years, making them a more sustainable choice compared to other, less durable shoes. 

The longer a product lasts, the less frequently consumers need to replace it, which in turn reduces overall consumption and waste. Woohoo! 

Social Impact Initiatives 

For Converse, social impact isn’t just a program or department – it’s a part of who they are. They encourage diversity across their business with the Converse United Networks, aka 5 employee networks that are employee-formed and managed communities. These networks invest back into their teams with diversity training and awareness, hold leadership accountable with annual progress reports, and much more.

Learn more about all their social impact initiatives here.

Commitment to Renewable Energy

Converse, being a part of the Nike family, benefits from the larger corporation’s sustainability goals. Nike has committed to sourcing 100% renewable energy for its facilities, and Converse, as a subsidiary, benefits from this initiative. 

By focusing on renewable energy sources, Converse is reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to cleaner production processes.

Bonus Points: Converse HQ

Converse HQ at Lovejoy Wharf in Boston has been their main headquarters since 2015… and they’ve made some awesome strides in sustainability there. The building is LEED-certified, and they work hard to converse water, be energy efficient, and utilize sustainable building materials. 

The HQ also implements recycling and composting – and has bans plastic straws, cups, or cutlery. Plus, over 80% of their employees bike, walk, or take public transportation to work. 

This is awesome: and we hope they can extend these sustainability initiatives to all of their offices and workplaces – not just the HQ. 

The Bad

Living Wages for Workers

One major criticism is the lack of transparency in Converse’s overall sustainability strategy. While the brand has made improvements, details about their supply chain, labor practices, and environmental impact are still somewhat vague. This makes it difficult for consumers to understand how comprehensive their sustainability efforts truly are.

This especially holds true for promises or policies around securing a living wage for their supply chain workers and retail employees. In the 2022 Fashion Transparency Index, Converse earned a score of 51-60%, showing moderate transparency in their operations. 

Like many global brands, Converse outsources much of its manufacturing to countries with lower labor costs, which raises concerns about fair wages, working conditions, and labor rights. While Nike, Converse’s parent company, has been criticized in the past for labor violations, Converse hasn’t been as transparent about its efforts to improve labor conditions across its supply chain. 

We’d love to see more clear evidence that works across their operations are receiving living wages – and more transparency overall from Converse. 

Sustainable Alternatives are Limited

Although Converse has introduced sustainable options, the majority of their footwear collection is still made from traditional materials such as virgin rubber, cotton, and synthetic fabrics. 

These materials have significant environmental impacts, from deforestation linked to rubber production to the high water usage associated with cotton farming. Until Converse makes a more substantial shift across all of its products, the positive impact of collections like Renew remains limited.

Converse Company Rating on Karma Wallet

Converse has taken steps toward becoming a more sustainable brand, particularly with its use of recycled materials and its efforts to reduce packaging waste. However, there is still significant work to be done. The brand needs to be more transparent about its entire production process, from sourcing materials to labor conditions. 

We also think that shifting their sustainable product lines to include more of its iconic models would be awesome. Who doesn’t want some eco-friendly Chuck Taylors?! 

Long story short: Converse’s sustainability efforts are commendable but far from complete. That’s why we rate them a 6 out of 16 – earning an overall neutral rating. 

But, if you are going to shop Converse, be sure to look for their eco-conscious product lines… and use your Karma Wallet Card at checkout. You’ll earn 1.46% cashback! 

Explore their Company Rating for the full scoop below!

What do you think about Converse’s sustainability? Let us know in the comments below!