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Backcountry.com Feels the Wind Power in Its Hair

by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05. 6.08
Travel & Nature

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Late last year we referenced the Green Goat as an initiative of online outdoor gear retailer, Backcountry.com. It helped customers find the greener clothing and equipment amongst the vast 400 brand inventory that the company offers. Unfortunately that project seems to have languished somewhat, as none of the product links seem to work anymore.

But maybe that’s because Backcountry’s Green Team have been otherwise distracted. They have been busy calculating the energy load of the company and working with Renewable Choice Energy to offset it. To this end Backcountry.com will, in 2008, buy 1,500,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy credits (RECs), which is said to be the equal to taking 190 cars off the road for year.

Read more: Backcountry.com Feels the Wind Power in Its Hair

REI’s Stewardship Report for 2007 Released

by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05. 5.08
Travel & Nature

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REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.), the Seattle based outdoor gear co-op with 3.5 million member/customers has just released their Stewardship Report for 2007. And it makes for fascinating reading.

But you'll need to set aside a little time. For this is a remarkably detailed audit of the co-operative’s attempt to measure their impact on community, environment and people. Like Patagonia’s Footprint Chronicles this report shows it warts and all. The charts clearly indicate both the obstacles successfully hurdled and those stumbled at. They candidly detail the challenges faced and their commitment going forward. We take a squiz at a few of these aspects after the fold, or you can download a 1.3MB PDF brochure with the highlights.

Read more: REI’s Stewardship Report for 2007 Released

Doors Closing Nau: Iconic Eco-Business Winds Up

by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05. 3.08
Travel & Nature

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Today is a very sad day. For Nau announced they are winding up. The Portland, Oregon based outdoor lifestyle apparel company has been unable to secure the necessary venture capital to continue operations as a start-up business.

Having got off the phone today with Ian Yolles, one of the original founders, I doubt very much there has been a dry eye in the Nau house. Obviously as the capital investment market lost its courage in the face of current uncertain financial times in the US, things became, as Ian put it “tenser and tenser.” But he had nothing but praise for the staff of Nau who have shown, “an amazing commitment and spirit right up to the end. There has been this strong sense of hopefulness....” He pauses, then continues, the emotion palpable even down the phone, “... that something good would happen.”

Read more: Doors Closing Nau: Iconic Eco-Business Winds Up

Necky Recycled Kayaks

by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05. 1.08
Travel & Nature

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Way back when TreeHugger was a babe in the woods we posted on Walden, who at the time made roto-moulded kayaks from recycled plastic. They alas closed their doors, and we found Hydra, who made a portion of their craft with recycled content. But the overall Walden idea was kept alive by Earth Friendly Kayaks. Recently the whole concept was reinvigorated by Necky Kayaks of Washington state, USA.

They make several lengths of their Manitou kayaks from 100% recycled post industrial HDPE. Interestingly they’re claiming the recycled plastic is stronger than standard materials. As well as embracing the recycle ethic, Necky also donate 1% of gross sales to the Waterkeeper Alliance, who champion clean watershed program.

Read more: Necky Recycled Kayaks

Keen To Make Green Soxy (and Stand Out)

by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04.28.08
Travel & Nature

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Earlier this month, Keen announced the winners of their STAND sustainability awareness contest. Prizes totaling $150,000 USD were awarded to three winners and fifteen runners up.

The three respective winners in their categories of Stand Up, Stand Out and Stand For were: a) Spencer Brown’s Rent a Green Box makes rentable reusable moving crates out of recycled plastic waste; b)Leslie Freeman’s Wild Science Explorers takes under privileged high school students on river trips complete with science education and Leave No Trace training; and Brian Bell, and the team at the University of Minnesota chapter of Engineers Without Borders, who are working in Haiti to develop ways to recycle HDPE water transport sachets into durable footwear for kids.

Read more: Keen To Make Green Soxy (and Stand Out)

Bounce Back: Wilson’s Recycled Basketball

by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04.24.08
Travel & Nature

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The next time Tom Hanks finds himself marooned as a castaway on a tropical island maybe his companion will be a green basketball, instead of a white volleyball.

The Wilson ‘Rebound’ has a surface comprising 40% recycled rubber. 70 such basketballs are said to be equal to taking one car tyre out of landfill. "Think Globally, Hoop Locally" is the accompanying catch phrase. We’re not sure why a product as robust as a basketball requires packaging in a box. But at least Wilson have opted to to make it from nearly 80% recycled cardboard. Though they are ambiguous as to whether that is pre or post consumer content. ::Wilson, via tip from Amy K.

Read more: Bounce Back: Wilson’s Recycled Basketball

Conservation Alliance Disburses $450,000 in Grants

by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04.22.08
Travel & Nature

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Seventeen grassroots environmental organizations across North America are receiving funds from a $450,000 pool of grants allocated by the Conservation Alliance.

The Alliance is 130 member outdoor industry companies who make a yearly contribution to grant fund. Since its founding in 1989, by industry leaders REI, Patagonia, The North Face, and Kelty, the Conservation Alliance has supported environmental organisations to the tune of $6.5 million. This financial assistance has helped protect more than 35 million acres of land, stop or remove 26 dams, and preserve access to thousands of miles of rivers and several climbing areas.

Read more: Conservation Alliance Disburses $450,000 in Grants

Patagonia Add Five Products to Footprint Chronicles

by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04.21.08
Travel & Nature

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Patagonia have updated their Webby Award nominated Footprint Chronicles website with five new product lifecycle assessments (LCAs). The additions are their Nine Trails shorts, Sugar and Spice shoe, Capilene 3 bottoms Vitaliti strappy dress and Puckerware shirt.

That last product (seen above) traveled 22,000 km from its fabric source to distribution centre expending enough energy per shirt to run a 18W light bulb nonstop for 49 days. The shirt created the of 41 times it’s own weight in CO2 emissions and created waste equal to 2/3rds of its weight. And Patagonia can’t yet find a recycled polyester that meets their standards. Although, being blended with organic cotton, it wouldn’t be chemically recyclable anyhow.

Read more: Patagonia Add Five Products to Footprint Chronicles
We'll be working on better category archives soon. In the meantime, take a look at the weekly archive if you really want to dig around, or use the search box at the top of the page.

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