My favorite brands striving for CSR in the Outdoor Industry
Welcome back and thanks for diving into another one of my blog posts! Here we will discuss the relevance of sustainability in the outdoor industry, consumer behavior, doing good in the outdoors and of course, CSR in the outdoor recreation world.
Since I have attended the UO’s School of Journalism and Communication, I have learned more about CSR, the importance of sustainability and how my choices affect others. So, recently, I have decided to be more thoughtful about my purchases.
This week we will be diving into something we can all relate to: shopping. You may be an every day internet browsers or strictly a special occasion “treat yourself” buyer. As an outdoor enthusiast, I don’t spend my money on beauty supplies or fancy food at restaurants or even plane tickets to exotic destinations. Instead, I regularly spend my money on updated outdoor gear, quality natural products worth investing in, the latest high-tech cold weather clothing necessities and more. I like to stay comfortable, dry and happy in the outdoors in ANY weather.
When I started spending time outdoors when I was a junior in high school, I didn’t know much about what I needed or how to tell the difference between gear that worked good or just looked good.
Now, as I near the finish line of my senior year of college, I’ve embarked on a number of extraordinary adventures, learned a thing or two, made plenty of mistakes and picked up a number of hobbies with extensive gear requirement lists. But that’s enough on how I choose to blow my paychecks “responsibly” in college (I mean, safety is important, right?).
My top 4 favorite socially responsible or sustainable outdoor brands
Patagonia is known for its incredible care of its employees, fierce advocacy for environmental protection, repair work on all clothing to avoid waste and second-hand gear store online. Patagonia strives to encourage social and environmental change.
Younger people are demanding that businesses be more sustainable and socially conscious. Patagonia regularly produces anywhere between 30 and 200 different fair trade items a year. They believe in quality over quantity and providing employees with livable wages.
Mountain Equipment Co-op is known for its transparency with customers, and its customers expect that and so much more along the lines of sustainability and responsibility to do good in the world.
In 2014, Mountain Equipment launched its fair trade certified clothing line. Fair wages, equal opportunity and workable conditions were all promises the company made for all employees. In addition to all these policies, It also has a college financial assistance program, health care and fitness opportunities, such as yoga, on-site to boost productivity.
Columbia supports a number of different CSR programs; one is OIA’s Social Responsibility Working Group. The company focuses a lot of its energy on social justice issues. This is especially apparent in its HERProject program that supports and empowers young women. Columbia has prioritized life-long employee health, sustainable solutions to production and cultivating valuable relationships with vendors. Columbia’s goal to prioritize CSR pays off for it overall.
Like Mountain Equipment, Prana also released Fair Trade-certified apparel. It began with one item over 11 years ago, but this year alone it came out with over 40 new fair trade pieces. The goal of this is social responsibility.
Prana also thinks about its producers. The company strives to purchase cotton at the peak of harvest instead of last minute in order to support farmers. This action boosts the economy and circulates money in the local community.
