Moore & Giles

Driven by a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable practices across its operations and supply chain, premier leather manufacturer Moore & Giles has embarked on an ambitious journey to reduce its environmental impact. From powering their headquarters on solar energy to pioneering an innovative olive-based tanning method, Moore & Giles has made significant strides in shaping a sustainable future. To elevate its impact, the organization partnered with Brightworks Sustainability to create a robust impact reduction roadmap, aiming to further its carbon neutrality goals.

This collaboration harnessed Brightworks’ expertise in sustainable materials and corporate sustainability, providing Moore & Giles with a clear path forward. https://mooreandgilesleather.com/

Partnering for Progress

At the onset of their sustainability journey, Moore & Giles sought guidance to make informed, impactful decisions. Beverly McAuley, Senior Director of Sustainability & Education at Moore & Giles, noted that Brightworks’ industry expertise made them a natural partner. “We were just starting out on our sustainability journey and wanted to make the right decisions from the get-go. Brightworks is well-revered within the industry and it made sense to reach out because they are known as experts,” said McAuley.  “The team helped us understand our inventory baseline for greenhouse gas emissions, explore and compare options to reduce our impact, and guide us in creating comprehensive strategy.”

Through Brightworks’ support, Moore & Giles received not only technical expertise but also valuable strategic insight, with Brightworks’ reputation as a trusted advisor further validated by their work with a mutual client. This comprehensive guidance allowed Moore & Giles to make swift progress and establish a roadmap that aligned closely with its long-term goals and values.

Mapping the Road to Sustainability

The comprehensive roadmap Brightworks developed addressed Moore & Giles’ operations, suppliers, and product impact. Through a Materiality Assessment, Brightworks conducted market research to examine competitors’ commitments, key performance indicators, and sustainability messaging. This analysis helped pinpoint material impact areas essential for Moore & Giles’ strategy and provided guidance on potential reporting frameworks.

Brightworks also completed a Sustainability Impacts Assessment to evaluate the sustainability effects of Moore & Giles’ operations, carbon footprint, and product and supplier impacts. A carbon emissions calculator was developed to estimate shipping emissions and determine offsetting options, empowering Moore & Giles to take direct action in managing their carbon impact.

With these insights, the roadmap outlined immediate, near term, and long-term goals, equipping Moore & Giles with actionable steps to strengthen their sustainability program across every facet of their business—from internal operations to the practices of their suppliers.

Key Achievements and Results

With a roadmap in place, Moore & Giles achieved several notable milestones through a combination of Brightworks’ guidance and their own proactive commitment to sustainability:

1. SOLAR POWER INSTALLATION

Since transitioning their headquarters to solar energy, Moore & Giles has offset approximately 937,915 pounds of CO₂ emissions—the equivalent of planting 7,087 trees (as of December 2024). This change has not only reduced their environmental footprint but also indicates ~$50,000 in electricity savings.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Installation of on-site solar, instead of the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), is a great solution for companies like Moore & Giles who intend to be physically present in one place for a long time. RECs are increasingly in short supply–Moore & Giles’ investment in their own solar array increases their facility’s climate resilience to any future energy shortages in the area, reducing their need to draw from the grid their neighbors rely on, as well as providing ongoing opportunities for local solar professionals to maintain the array. These are important benefits for their facility’s community and part of being a good neighbor beyond simply reducing the facility’s emissions.

2. INNOVATIVE OLIVE TANNING PROCESS

Moore & Giles adopted an innovative olive-based tanning agent, crafted from fallen olive leaves, for water-based, sustainable tanning. This process, which earned the Cradle to Cradle Gold award, positioned them as an industry leader, with their olive-tanned leather becoming the first globally to receive a Declare Red List Free label, making it eligible for LEED points on sustainable projects worldwide.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Moore & Giles is going above and beyond the legally required toxic chemical avoidance to protect all people in their supply chain, from the original manufacturers of the raw material to the consumer, to support both human and ecosystem health at every stage of their product’s deployment, even end of life.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS (EPDs)

Moore & Giles has obtained EPDs for several products, including two carbon-neutral leathers. This transparency has attracted clients who prioritize sustainability, thereby strengthening their market position.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Many consumers prefer products that have been created with holistic sustainability goals supported at every stage. By transparently communicating their products’ achievements through these EPDs, Moore & Giles supports and encourages a robust EPD market-place for providing the customer with information to make an informed purchase of the product that is right for them.

4. WASTE REDUCTION INITIATIVES

Internally, Moore & Giles has implemented measures to reduce waste from packaging materials, diverting approximately 100 tons of waste since early 2022. Additional initiatives include repurposing leather sample leftovers and donating packing blankets, which has furthered their waste reduction goals.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Creating a circular economy, where very little is “thrown away,” is an important part of both reducing emissions and minimizing human harm. New production often requires significant energy, while waste management typically generates emissions, such as off-gassing and liquid leakage from landfills or emissions created by burning waste in waste-to-energy facilities. By choosing to reuse and repurpose as much of their “waste” as possible, Moore & Giles is also acting as a catalyst for the creation of a more circular economy, training workers and policymakers with the skills they need to support other businesses who may want to go circular to thrive.

5. RESPONSIBLE SHIPPING PRACTICES

Moore & Giles has partnered with UPS Carbon Neutral and FedEx Carbon Offset to reduce the environmental impact of their shipping operations.

WHY THIS MATTERS: In 2023, UPS’s air and ground operations produced 14 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or equivalent emissions (UPS, accessed November 2024). The UPS has an advanced carbon offsets program available to its customers, with all offsets verified by two third parties: first by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), and then assured, or certified, by Natural Capital Partners (NCP). They address all three scopes of emissions:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from combustion of fuel in UPS-operated ground vehicle fleet; combustion of fuel in UPS operated aircraft, stationary sources associated with UPS-controlled facilities globally.
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity in UPS-controlled facilities globally.
• Scope 3: Combustion of fuel in ocean, air, rail, and ground transportation, operated by third parties in providing delivery services to UPS.

This is one of the most rigorous assurance processes we are aware of that is available to companies to date. By supporting this program, Moore & Giles is contributing to and supporting UPS, offset programs, and the expansion of companies like SGS and NCP to continue to grow and train more employees who can then provide their important verification services to future offset programs, contributing to the circular economy while supporting the people who make it successful.

Fostering a Sustainable Culture 

Sustainability at Moore & Giles is not just about operational changes; it is a core element of the company’s culture. With support from leadership, employees are encouraged to engage actively in sustainability initiatives. “Having our owner and president emphasize the importance of sustainability has been instrumental,” McAuley shared. The company’s sustainable practices inspire employees and foster ownership over eco-conscious practices, such as converting approximately 3 acres at their headquarters to a certified conservation and wildlife habitat. The intention behind this effort was to increase biodiversity and support native species, while also sequestering carbon, improving soil health, and reducing runoff to benefit local waterways.

Embracing sustainability has empowered employees to think creatively about solutions, resulting in a stronger alignment between individual actions and the company’s broader environmental goals. “Employees are starting to take ownership, reaching out with their own ideas. We’re having more frequent discussions around sustainability that are resulting in great ideas, and we celebrate this,” continued McAuley.

The impact of Moore & Giles’ commitment extends beyond these milestones. “Forty-five percent of hides created by the meat industry go into the landfill every day,” said McAuley. “At Moore & Giles, we are selling a product that is diverted waste from a separate industry. Essentially, we are creating a lasting, sustainable and durable product from someone else’s trash. We believe in creating a purpose and use for every hide on earth. By keeping this valuable waste out of the landfill, we play an active role in reducing the impact of our global waste crisis. Reminding people of that has been very helpful.”

McAuley notes that not only are they embracing a changing culture, but they’re attracting new business, too. “We’re experiencing a return on our investment through clients who are choosing to work with us because of our sustainability efforts,” she said.

Looking Ahead

The roadmap developed with Brightworks has become a cornerstone of Moore & Giles’ sustainability strategy, aligning closely with their mission and their clients’ expectations.

Reflecting on the journey, McAuley emphasized the importance of working with knowledgeable partners like Brightworks. “For companies just starting out, working with an expert can save significant time and help navigate the complexities of sustainability,” she advised. Brightworks’ extensive industry knowledge provided Moore & Giles with valuable foresight into emerging trends, enabling them to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry.

With the impact reduction roadmap as a guide, Moore & Giles continues to expand its eco-conscious practices, demonstrating how collaboration with the right partner can accelerate progress and yield transformative results in the pursuit of a sustainable future. 

Written by Corey Hastings, Marketing Consultant
Edited for clarity by Sunni Wissmer, Market Engagement Lead, Brightworks Sustainability.
Reviewed by Beverly McAuley, Senior Director of Sustainability & Education, Moore & Giles