Allbirds

Our “Planet” rating evaluates brands based on the environmental policies in their supply chains, from carbon emissions and wastewater to business models and product circularity. Here we rate Allbirds “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses some lower-impact materials including Tencel Lyocell.
• To minimise waste, it recycles some of its textile offcuts.
• It recycles water to reduce water use in its supply chain.
• It’s set a science based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supply chain, and it claims it’s on track.
• It’s eliminated some hazardous chemicals but has not made a commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.

Workers’ rights are central to our “People” rating, which assess brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labour to living wages and gender equality. Here we rate Allbirds “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It sources its final stage of production from countries with extreme risk of labour abuse.
• There’s no evidence it provides financial security to its suppliers, which can result in poor working conditions and wages.
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• It traces most of its supply chain.
• There’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages in its supply chain.
• During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not disclose adequate policies or safeguards to protect workers in its supply chain from the virus.

Brands’ animal welfare policies and, where applicable, how well they trace their animal-derived products are the focus of our “Animals” rating. Here we rate Allbirds “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• ZQ Merino Label certifies the wool it sources.
• It doesn’t appear to use leather, down, fur, angora, exotic animal skin, or exotic animal hair.
• It traces all animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate Allbirds “It's a Start” overall.