SUSTAINABLE FOOTWEAR
Incorporating sustainability into a business means ensuring that decisions made today do not prevent future generations from having a better quality of life, preferably with sustainable footwear, at their feet.
At JJ Heitor, sustainability is not just a trend; it guides every step we take. From the choice of raw materials to the packaging that reaches your hands, we always consider the environmental impact of everything we create.
"AT JOAQUIM JOSÉ HEITOR, WE WORK WITH THE GOAL OF CREATING WELL-BEING FOR PEOPLE, SOCIETY, AND NATURE."
ECO-CERTIFIED RAW MATERIALS
We opt for leathers with certified tanneries and vegetable-based linings, reducing the use of harmful substances. Each new collection is born from the question: "How can we reduce the water and chemical footprint of this pair?"
LOCAL PRODUCTION AND SLOW FASHION
We produce locally, in our factory in Portugal, which allows us to closely monitor all stages of the process.
We value local workshops, ensure fair working conditions, and follow slow fashion principles, producing consciously, avoiding waste, and creating products made to last.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND REUSE
We give new life to leather scraps that would otherwise be discarded, transforming them into small accessories or unique design details. This way, we close the loop and reduce waste.
RESPONSIBLE PACKAGING
Our packaging is made from recycled paper, printed with water-based inks, and designed to be easily reused or recycled, eliminating unnecessary plastic. This commitment to sustainable footwear is shared by those who walk with us: by customers who seek brands with purpose, and international partners who recognize in Portuguese artisanal know-how a unique combination of quality, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
After all, each pair of JJ Heitor is not just an invitation to walk in style, it is an invitation to tread the world with conscience.
OUR CERTIFICATIONS - SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS WITH RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT:
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS) CERTIFICATION
ISO 14001:2015 certification - Environmental Management Systems (EMS) demonstrates a commitment to environmental protection. This certification is a tool for the more effective management of environmental aspects arising from companies' activities, as well as their correct operational control and monitoring.
Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) Certification
We have eliminated all plastic from our packaging to facilitate its recycling and recovery. At JJHeitor, sustainable footwear also means using FSC-certified packaging, meaning that all materials used, whether paper or cardboard, come from sustainably managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.
LEATHER WORKING GROUP CERTIFICATION: (LWG)
We look for suppliers who provide us with guarantees of good environmental practices, which is why a large proportion of our leather suppliers have LWG certification. This certification assigns a rating based on leather production processes, with criteria covering traceability, social responsibility, chemical management, and health and safety.
WE ARE MEMBERS OF CASCALE
This entity developed the Cascale tool (formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition) which aims to measure and improve environmental performance and sustainability practices. Cascale is based on JJ Heitor's annual practices and results, covering a wide range of environmental aspects, which presents an opportunity for continuous improvement, identifying its strengths, as well as the areas where action is needed.
WE ARE SEDEX MEMBERS
SEDEX promotes the continuous improvement of practices and performance in social responsibility in its various aspects, including labor practices, health and safety, business ethics, environment, and supply chain management.
Periodically, we complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), which allows Sedex members to focus on their performance in these areas and identify opportunities for improvement in each of the aspects analyzed.
We have been evaluated as part of this process, reinforcing our commitment to responsible, transparent practices aligned with international standards of sustainability and business ethics.
WE ARE PIONEERS IN ESG REPORTING
We were proudly recognized as ESG Reporting Pioneers. The SIBS ESG Reporting Pioneer seal highlights our efforts to integrate sustainable management practices. We will continue to work to improve our environmental and social impact, "ensuring a better future for all."
OUR SUSTAINABILITY IN NUMBERS
We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance by adopting best practices in the footwear industry, thereby contributing to a more sustainable world where shoes are also more ecological, greener.
"Between 2019 and 2024, CO2 emissions associated with energy consumption – fuels and electricity – decreased by 56% for each pair of shoes produced."
WE CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BUT ALSO FOR OUR PEOPLE
We want all our direct and indirect employees to feel protected, valued, and proud to belong to this family. Thus, a set of ethical, conduct, and social responsibility principles have been developed to regulate and demonstrate our values of transparency, professionalism, and business ethics.
We also provide health insurance for all employees, with the possibility for the employee to extend it to family members at a controlled cost. We award an attendance bonus and offer legal advice if needed.
To ensure the consolidation and positive evolution of the social responsibility principles we believe in, we have been implementing the requirements of the SA 8000 Standard. This Standard focuses on the social impact of organizations by defining requirements related to the conditions under which employees, partners, and suppliers work.
