FLEKS specializes in comfortable, casual, everyday slip-on footwear from sandals to slides. All shoes are made from recycled materials called FLEKSfoam, creating a naturally speckled design. The partnership of two friends created the brand, with one in the footwear industry and the other in the manufacturing sector. The founder loves the ocean, so the sustainability of these shoes is dedicated to the preservation and admiration of the beautiful California coastlines she surrounds herself with. The website is embedded with images of rocky shores, clear ocean waters, and shoes named after beaches, catering the brand to all beach lovers alike.
FLEKS
FLEKS specializes in comfortable, casual, everyday slip-on footwear from sandals to slides. All shoes are made from recycled materials called FLEKSfoam, creating a naturally speckled design. The partnership of two friends created the brand, with one in the footwear industry and the other in the manufacturing sector. The founder loves the ocean, so the sustainability of these shoes is dedicated to the preservation and admiration of the beautiful California coastlines she surrounds herself with. The website is embedded with images of rocky shores, clear ocean waters, and shoes named after beaches, catering the brand to all beach lovers alike.
Transparency
- FLEKS is transparent about their factories with 21 employees and the lowest wage is 45% higher than minimum wage.
- They state that they have 100% traceability on their binder and material suppliers.
- FLEKS, along with their sister company Blumaka, own and operate a GRS certified factory in Dongguan, China.
- They partner with Blumaka to make their FLEKSfoam and FLEKSsheets.
- They do not allow unauthorized subcontracting and ensure partners align with their code of conduct.
- FLEKS could improve their transparency score by sharing specific names and locations of the rest of their supplychain, beyond the final production.
Fair Labor
- FLEKS provides living wages to their makers.
- FLEKS also provides healthcare, daily meals, transportation stipends, and primary endowment insurance.
- Furthermore, they are vertically integrated, allowing for comprehensive oversight of their factory.
- FLEKS could improve their fair labor score by publishing their Code of Conduct to ensure compliance with international labor standards.
Sustainably Made
- FLEKS shows transparency in their water usage and use only two tablespoons per shoe; 99% less than the average usage.
- They also reduce carbon emissions through rooftop solar power generation and energy-efficient equipment.
- They use FLEKSfoam: 85% recycled content by volume, and FLEKSsheet: 93% recycled foam.
- At the end they will take back the material and recycle 100% of it through their “take-back” program.
- FLEKS packaging is made from 100% recycled material and is both recyclable and compostable. They also ship with USPS because they are a more sustainable company with fewer trips, emissions, and an overall smaller footprint.
