Keeping up with regular gear maintenance will help prolong the life of the gear you already own, saving some strain on the environment and your wallet!
Sometimes though, gear needs to be replaced. It could be broken beyond repair, maybe it doesn’t fit, it’s unsafe to use, or it just does not properly function. The outdoor industry has recognized that the environment is impacted by the products they make and have begun to take strides towards a more sustainable economy. After all, the outdoor industry has a vested interest in protecting the environment - their jobs depend on the environment! The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) - comprised of over 1,200 organizations and individuals - has taken aim to a lofty goal: be the first climate positive industry by 2030. The OIA provides members with resources to track their impact and offer ways for members to lower that impact, while also working throughout the industry to look for innovative ways to reach their goal. So if the industry is working so hard towards being climate positive, what should you do if you’re in the market for some new gear?
First and foremost, check out used gear. If you know what to look out for, you can find some serious deals on sweet pieces of gear. Unless it’s a piece of gear that you put your life into (a climbing harness and rope, for example), used gear is the way to go! If you absolutely must buy new, here’s some criteria to consider when choosing your new gear:
Fair Trade Items:
You have probably heard of Fair Trade products before. When a product is certified fair trade, it means that the product has gone through a rigorous certification process ensuring that the people who created that product had safe working conditions and sustainable livelihoods, while the company itself worked towards environmental protection and contributed to community development funds. Pretty much anything can be Fair Trade Certified, from food to clothes to - you guessed it - gear! Look for the fair trade symbol when you’re shopping for gear.
Responsibly Sourced Down
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is a certification that is awarded only to companies and items that responsibly source their down. RDS looks at the supply chain to ensure that no bird experienced unnecessary harm and lived with the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare: freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, and disease; freedom to express normal and natural behavior; and freedom from fear and distress. You’ll see the logo on things like sleeping bags and coats.
Innovative Materials
Organic cotton, hemp, solution-dyed fabrics, PCF-Free rain gear, bio-materials are all examples of innovative materials you can look for in new gear. My favorite of these is the application of solution-dyed fabrics in gear. Solution-dyed fabrics and textiles are more resistant to UV damage from the sun and overall more durable. They also take less energy to produce versus traditional dying, it takes less water, and fewer chemicals - resulting in far less waste water, which is usually toxic. Big Agnes (a Colorado company!) recently unveiled their own line of solution-dyed tents so be sure to check them out when you’re in the market for a new tent!
Recycled Materials
While we cannot purely recycle our way out of climate change, using recycled materials puts far less strain on the environment than using new or virgin materials. Many outdoor brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Fjällraven, and more have put emphasis on using recycled materials in their products. Does the synthetic insulation in a jacket really need to be brand new material? Probably not! Look for items that have recycled content on their tags.
B-Corporations
B-Corporations work towards a common goal: make the world a better place through good business practices. B Corps work towards reducing inequality, lowering levels of poverty, contributing to a healthier environment, stronger communities, and creating more “high quality jobs with dignity and purpose.” Not just any company can be a B Corporation. They have to go through a rigorous and thorough certification process to ensure that a company has a measured positive impact on the environment, community, and economy. Most companies that are certified will have the badge at the bottom of their website, so you can feel good about supporting them.
With the help of these tips, you can be sure to make a more informed decision when it comes to choosing your new gear.
Courtney Rajt was a Sustainability Intern with Walking Mountains Science Center.