Under Armour
At Wedge, we have gathered and analyzed the following information on Under Armour to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of its sustainability efforts.
Carbon Emissions: Carbon intensity measures greenhouse gas emissions in relation to a company's revenue or employees. It helps assess a company's carbon footprint and commitment to reducing emissions.
Labor Practices: Under Armour's commitment to ethical labor practices lacks: a public commitment, an action plan and separate labor costs. Living wage paid rating of 1/5.
Under Armour lacks concrete evidence of fair wages across its supply chain, but signs indicate that the brand is aware and steps are being taken to address the issue.
For more details, visit the brand's Fashion Checker page.
Renewable Energy Sources: Under Armour uses 15% renewable energy throughout its operations, and Under Armour doesn't specify suppliers' and manufacturers' energy consumption.
In 2020, Under Armour consumed an estimated 1.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. This is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of about 130,000 homes.
Under Armour is committed to reducing its environmental impact. In 2021, they set a goal of achieving 100% renewable energy usage by 2030. They are also working to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities and operations.
Here are some of the things that Under Armour is doing to reduce their energy consumption:
Installing solar panels on their facilities
Using energy-efficient lighting and appliances
Investing in energy-saving technologies
Promoting employee engagement in sustainability initiatives
Under Armour is making progress in their efforts to reduce their energy consumption. However, they still have a long way to go to achieve their goal of 100% renewable energy usage by 2030.
Transparency: Under Armour's Fashion Transparency Index score is 21.9. The index assesses brands' transparency regarding their social and environmental policies. For more information, visit the Fashion Revolution website.
Sustainable Materials: Recycled materials: Under Armour lack to specify their material usage in detail but as of the end of 2021, approximately 40% of the fabrics used in Under Armour’s apparel and accessories were made from materials capable of being recycled.
Regarding specific material usage, over 80% of Under Armour’s materials are polyester-based (both virgin and recycled). This is considered more sustainable to produce than alternative fibers, and polyester may also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from consumer use. Some of their products, like T-shirts, shorts, and capris, are made from 95% cotton and 5% elastane.
Animal Welfare:
Under Armour does not have a public animal welfare policy. The company does not use fur or angora, but it does use leather, wool, and down.
Under Armour has been criticized for its use of these materials, as they can be obtained through cruel and inhumane practices.
In 2016, Under Armour ended its sponsorship of Josh Bowmar, a hunter who posted a video of himself spearing a bear. The company said that it did not condone the hunting practices shown in the video.
Under Armour has said that it is committed to responsible sourcing of its materials.
Animal welfare advocates have called on Under Armour to adopt a public animal welfare policy. They argue that the company has a responsibility to ensure that animals are treated humanely throughout its supply chain.
Under Armour has not responded to these calls. The company has said that it is committed to continuous improvement in its sustainability practices. However, it has not committed to adopting a public animal welfare policy.
Waste Management: Only 15% of waste being recycled while 85%(!) is sent to landfills or incinerated.
2nd-hand Services: Under Armour does not currently offer any direct support for second hand services or thrift stores. However, they do have a recycling program that allows customers to return used Under Armour products to any Under Armour store or authorized retailer. These products are then recycled or donated to charity.
Warranty: Under Armour offers a limited warranty on most of its products. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. Under Armour will repair or replace any product that is found to be defective during the warranty period.
There are a few exceptions to the warranty. The warranty does not cover damage caused by normal wear and tear, abuse, or misuse. It also does not cover products that have been altered or modified.
To file a warranty claim, you must contact Under Armour customer service. You will need to provide proof of purchase and a description of the defect. Under Armour will then evaluate your claim and determine whether it is covered under the warranty.
If your claim is approved, Under Armour will repair or replace your product at no charge. You will be responsible for shipping the product to Under Armour. Once the product has been received, Under Armour will ship you a replacement or repaired product.
To learn more about utilizing the warranty, click here.
Offsetting Carbon: Under Armour supports a number of environmental organizations, including the Conservation Alliance and the National Park Foundation. The company donates money to these organizations and also provides employees with opportunities to volunteer their time.
Yet most of the specifics are not disclosed.
Under Armour surpasses the average score in 1/10 sustainability parameters we evaluate.
