We've all been there—you want to get into a new sport, you want that lightweight gear that'll take you up the skin track just a little bit faster or keep you more comfortable when outdoors. It's that time of year, and it's hard to align your values on sustainability to the products that are available to outdoor enthusiasts. This month, we're challenging you to consume with conscience (when possible).
POW's go-to mantra at the organizational level (but also at a personal level for the team) is "Progress Over Perfection". That might sound like we're chickening out of hard and fast rules, taking the easy way to the summit. The way we look at it, it's more about making our journey to sustainability more... well, sustainable.
Have you ever tried quitting sugar cold turkey? Try cutting out outdoor gear. You'll be soaked to the bones, and long behind the others on the uptrack within a couple years of new product development. Your gear will quickly be antiquated or even broken. You won't feel your toes, or your calves for that matter.
What if you cut out candy one month, and diet coke the next? What if you bought the best, most sustainable product one year, and didn't have to buy any new jacket for the next five years? Progress over perfection.
The holidays are coming up, and for many, means a lot of new purchases. We've gathered some ressources for you to learn about what makes a sustainable product, what "Scope 3" emissions are, organizations that focus on the fashion industry that you might want to follow, etc. We will soon be sharing some information about the impacts of the co-branded merchandise we have available for purchase. It's not perfect, but we're working on it with our partners who value global climate impact as an underlying ethos to their companies.
A couple things to keep in mind to consume with a conscience:
- Buy good gear (and make it last!);
- Don't buy what you don't need;
- Make sure what you're buying has a lifetime (or close) guarantee;
- Read the resources below;
- Don't rely on the brand stating their product is sustainable. Look for certifications: Responsible Down Standard, Responsible Wool Standard, Leather Working Group, Forest Stewardship Council, organic materials, Fair Trade Certified, Bluesign certified, B Corporation companies, PFC-Free and PTFE-Free, post-consumer materials, etc.;
- Think long and hard about what your friends/family need (can you switch things up and gift experiences rather than things?).
Some ressources:
- Fashion Revolution
- What is a sustainable supply chain?
- The ethical aspects
- What's the deal with organic fibres? Should I care?
- The Higg Index (standardized measurement of value chain sustainability—water use, carbon emissions, and labor conditions)
- Carbon neutrality
- Our co-branded products—Available soon!