Cradle to Grave Recycling Policy

A Sustainable Step Forward

At Neptun, we believe that environmental sustainability is essential and our responsibility. That’s why we are committed to sustainable manufacturing practices that prioritise minimising waste and reducing environmental impact.

Our recycling policy named “Cradle to Grave,” in collaboration with the mining industry, protects the environment by reducing the possibility of the gumboots lying in dumps or being burned in the environment. By reutilising the old gumboots in our production process, we successfully lower product costs for entry-level markets, while simultaneously curbing carbon emissions and preventing plastic waste from polluting our oceans.

A Circular Journey for Every Gumboot

In our Cradle to Grave Recycling Policy, we have established a closed-loop system where new gumboots are supplied to mines, and in turn, old gumboots are returned. The old gumboots embark on a second life journey, being collected by an Approved Recycler for recycling.

The recycling process transforms the old gumboots; they are washed, granulated, and bagged and the recycled PVC is reincorporated into our production of basic general-purpose black boots.

The Three-Stage PVC Recycling Process

Our Cradle to Grave recycling policy comprises of a three-stage process:

Stage 1 initiates with building partnerships with mining operations, emphasising the importance of collective action in creating a sustainable recycling ecosystem for old gumboots.

Stage 2 sees the practical implementation of our vision, where the old gumboots are collected in bulk from the mines. This process ensures a systematic collection aided by regular pickups by an approved recycler.

Stage 3 involves the recycling of these gumboots. This crucial stage involves cleaning, decontaminating, and granulating the gumboots. Our rigorous process ensures that materials like steel from toe caps and midsoles are separated, and any contaminant that could compromise the recycling process is removed. Then the granules are melted down and used in a blend for the production of our general-purpose black gumboots. 

Ensuring Compliance through Sedex Membership

As part of our commitment to not only environmental sustainability but also ethical practices, we are proud to be a member of Sedex.

Sedex is a global membership organisation dedicated to driving improvements in ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains. Our membership underscores our dedication to conducting business in a manner that is not only environmentally friendly but also ethically sound.

By completing the SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit), we ensure that our practices align with the highest standards for environmental and ethical conduct. This audit is a comprehensive review of our business practices, covering everything from labour standards to health and safety, environmental impact, and business ethics. Through this rigorous audit process, we affirm our commitment to keeping harmful waste out of our rivers, dumps, and oceans.

To read in more detail about the benefits of PVC recycling, read our previous blog post here.