Sustainability Archives | REI Co-op Journal

What The North Face’s Earth Day Petition Tells Us About Brands Taking a Stand

Greg Dyer//April 22, 2019

The North Face wants Earth Day to become a national holiday. It's the latest example of how the relationship between businesses and consumers is changing. Read More...

Sunglasses, waistpack and climbing rope lay on a mossy log.

Recycled Outdoor Gear: ‘One of the more promising trends’ in Product Development

Aer Parris//March 15, 2019

Recyled gear has been heralded by many in the outdoor industry. We look at the trend and highlight three products that are champions of this effort. Read More...

COSTA Transforms Used Fishing Nets Into Sunglasses

Aer Parris//January 30, 2019

COSTA’s Untangled Collection—a collaboration with Bureo to produce sunglasses from recycled materials—is the recipient of this year’s Root Award. Read More...

Mountain Biking is Booming in Appalachia—But What Does It Take to Get Trails Built?

Jess Daddio//

Throughout Appalachia, towns are embracing multiuse trail projects to help diversify their economies and improve community wellness. Read More...

Green(er) This Year: REI is Minimizing Impact With the Products it Makes

Aer Parris//

The co-op's goal: to transition all of the fabrics and trims in REI Co-op brand gear and apparel to be 100 percent bluesign® certified by 2018. Read More...

Get Schooled in Outdoor Product Design

Morgan Tilton//June 26, 2018

Universities across the West are launching college degree programs to help train the next generation of outdoor leaders and product developers with sustainability at the helm. Read More...

Raising the Bar on Product Sustainability

REI Staff//April 9, 2018

We’re excited to announce the release of the REI Product Sustainability Standards, aimed at elevating sustainability across our products. Read More...

How to Have a More Eco-Friendly Camping Trip

Aer Parris//

Greener camping is not too much different than greener living—it just takes a desire to do better by the planet, with a little planning. Read More...

Leave No Trace in Action

Gemina Garland-Lewis//March 23, 2018

The year is 2001. I am 15 years old and it is my first time visiting Yellowstone National Park. My mother stands next to me at Morning Glory... Read More...

Journey to Sustainability

Shelby Gonzalez//March 5, 2018

Thanks to industrial innovation and brand dedication to sustainability, you can now get more outdoor essentials with a lighter environmental footprint. Read More...

Less Snow Means Fewer Ski Days—and a Huge Loss of Cash

Megan Michelson//February 27, 2018

A new report from Protect Our Winters looks at the economic impact of climate change on the $11.3 billion snowsports industry. Read More...

Climate Change Threatens $11.3 Billion Snowsports Industry, Protect Our Winters Report Says

Michelle Flandreau//February 22, 2018

The winter sports tourism industry in the U.S. added $11.3 billion in economic value and supported more than 191,000 jobs in the winter season of 2015–2016, according to a new report from Protect Our Winters (POW). But warmer winters and decreased snowfall “threaten the livelihood of an entire industry." Read More...