At Belkin International, sustainability and innovation intersect to shape a more responsible future. We’ve embarked on a transformative journey to find a more responsible way to build products within the consumer electronics industry. Our commitment to responsible practices and environmental stewardship has led us to establish the Sustainability Department, driven by our visionary leadership teams 15 years ago.

To pave the way for a more sustainable future, we began years ago by conducting a comprehensive audit of our operations, encompassing utilities, greenhouse gas emissions, and e-waste management. Armed with this knowledge, we developed a robust plan to reduce our environmental impact by addressing the urgent challenges of climate change and carbon footprint.

What sets Belkin apart is our unwavering integrity and dedication to action. We made a conscious decision to produce the same beloved products our customers admire, while reducing our ecological footprint. With our commitment to quality, innovative designs and competitive pricing, we empower consumers to choose more responsible products without compromising on performance. By minimizing our dependence on virgin plastics and incorporating recycled materials, we deliver products that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are more environmentally responsible.

Our sustainability journey stretches back to 2009, and we have achieved remarkable milestones along the way. Through relentless efforts, Belkin has successfully reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by over 50%. In 2010, we moved into a LEED-certified office, significantly reducing our overall energy consumption. By consolidating our offices and implementing energy-efficient measures such as LED lights, we have embraced a more environmentally conscious workspace. In 2021, we further minimized our footprint with a new office that features an expanded solar array, harnessing the power of renewable energy and embracing a hybrid work environment to reduce overall consumption. Furthermore, we actively participate in recycling programs and have eliminated single-use plastics from our packaging since 2019.

These accomplishments have been recognized and honored with prestigious accolades, including the Business Intelligence Sustainability Leadership Award, which we’ve proudly won four times. This award places us in the esteemed company of industry giants, underscoring our commitment to sustainability on a grand scale.

At Belkin, we firmly believe in transparency and integrity throughout the lifecycles of our products and processes. Unlike other brands that greenwash data and mask their plastic usage, we openly share our progress and embrace the principles of true circularity. Through our exclusive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool, we gather exhaustive data that traces the origins of our materials and scrutinizes their environmental impact from mining to end-of-life management.

Aligning our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we’ve adopted a blueprint that guides our actions. We specifically focus on combating climate change (Goal 13), addressing e-waste challenges (Goal 12), and revolutionizing our packaging practices (Goal 12). By aligning with these global targets, we ensure that our sustainability initiatives have far-reaching impact and contribute to a more sustainable world. The theme for the June 5, 2023 World Environment Day focuses on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution, and Belkin has devoted considerable time and resources to furthering this effort.

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond operations. Understanding the detrimental impact of single-use plastics on our planet, Belkin has made a conscientious decision to incorporate Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials into our products wherever possible moving forward. Using PCR materials represents a shift toward circularity, transforming plastics destined for landfills into new and durable products. This shift allows us to significantly reduce our dependence on virgin plastics and make substantial progress toward a more sustainable future. Our aim is to continuously monitor, test, and improve our practices, with the ultimate goal of engineering products that are 100% PCR without compromising safety or quality.

While other plastic options such as Post Industrial Recycled (PIR), Ocean Plastic, and Bio-Plastic have potential, we have carefully chosen PCR due to its measurable impact and benefits. We prioritize quality, durability, and the ability to maintain our desired aesthetics, which is why PCR remains our material of choice for now.

Recognizing the urgency to reduce plastic waste, we’ve taken a bold step toward plastic-free packaging. Our determination to eliminate plastic from our packaging materials significantly reduces our ecological footprint. By utilizing FSC-compliant paper and water-based glue, and introducing changes to our hang tabs, we’re on the path to eliminating plastic entirely from our packaging. This shift is not only efficient and environment-friendly, but also addresses the concerning statistics that only 5% of all plastic is recycled, and it takes hundreds of years to decompose, polluting our land, waterways, and oceans.

Our dedication to sustainability is not limited to our internal operations; we have also made a profound commitment to responsible business practices throughout our supply chain. As a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), Belkin ensures that ethical standards are upheld at every step of the production process. By embracing this partnership, we guarantee the wellbeing of workers, protect the environment, and promote sustainable practices in the industry.

To further mitigate our environmental impact, we‘ve made significant strides toward carbon neutrality. In 2019, our U.S. distribution became 100% carbon neutral through the purchase of carbon credits. Additionally, our transition to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper demonstrates our commitment to responsibly sourced materials, safeguarding forests and respecting indigenous peoples' rights.

We recognize that achieving our sustainability goals requires collective action. Belkin invites our customers, partners, and consumers to join us on this journey. By supporting our products and sharing our vision, you play an integral role in reducing environmental impact, promoting recycling programs like SIMS and Call2Recycle, and embracing sustainable choices.

Belkin is committed to leading the way in sustainable innovation within the consumer electronics industry. With our unwavering focus on integrity, transparency, and responsible practices, we empower individuals to make a positive impact on the environment without sacrificing quality or performance. Join us as we forge a path toward a more responsible future, where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.