Sustainability September 24, 2025
S&S Activewear Details Solar Power Investments, Water Conservation in Inaugural Sustainability Report
The Counselor Top 40 supplier said the newly published report is a transparent overview of its 2024 achievements across environmental, social and governance areas.
Key Takeaways
• S&S Activewear (asi/84358), the industry’s second-largest supplier, released its first sustainability report, outlining 2024 progress in environmental, social and governance initiatives.
• The supplier generated 2.6 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy, installed water-saving fixtures and eliminated nearly 895,000 single-use bottles through refill stations.
• S&S also expanded employee training and well-being programs and donated more than $300,000 in apparel, monetary and in-kind support while committing to continued transparency and long-term sustainability goals.
The second-largest supplier in the promo industry just released its first-ever sustainability report.
Counselor Top 40 supplier S&S Activewear (asi/84358) said the report, which provides an overview of its 2024 achievements across environmental, social and governance (ESG) areas, underscores its long-term support of people, planet and responsible business practices.
S&S Activewear (asi/84358) has released its first sustainability report, detailing 2024 ESG metrics.
“Our first sustainability report represents more than just numbers on a page – it’s a reflection of the values that have guided S&S for decades,” said Frank Myers, CEO and a member of the Counselor Power 50 list of the most influential people in promo. “From investing in renewable energy to building inclusive workplaces, we’re proud of the steps we’ve taken so far and excited to continue sharing our progress in the years ahead.”
One area the company highlights is its energy management, noting that in 2024 it generated more than 2.6 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy through solar investments across five distributions centers and its corporate headquarters in Bolingbrook, IL. A dozen of its distribution centers are equipped with electric forklifts, and 11 have high-efficiency lighting.
When it comes to water conservation, S&S Activewear has installed 108 low-flow toilets and 23 waterless urinals, saving hundreds of thousands of gallons a year, while employee refill stations have eliminated the use of an estimated 895,000 single-use plastic bottles.
The supplier also touted new leadership training programs, more than 3,000 hours of safety training and expanded employee well-being programs.
Through the S&S Grant Program and other partnerships, the supplier contributed more than $200,000 in apparel donations and more than $100,000 in monetary and in-kind support to nonprofits across North America.
Looking ahead, S&S Activewear said it wants to continue to grow responsibly, with a sustainability strategy “rooted in strong partnerships, shared values and long-term investment in innovation.” The company said it’s focused on transparency and continuous improvement.
“This report is only the beginning,” said Alaina Brooks, chief legal officer. “Sustainability is a journey, and we’re committed to responsible growth.”
About one-third of Counselor Top 40 suppliers and distributors have released annual sustainability reports since 2023, according to ASI Research.
Founded in 1988, S&S Activewear has more than 6 million square feet of warehouse space across North America. Based on estimated 2024 North American promotional products revenue of $3.6 billion, the supplier ranked second on Counselor’s most recent list of the top suppliers in the industry. The company notably acquired fellow billion-dollar firm alphabroder last year.
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