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- Earth Day is a chance to reflect on the impact we have on the planet, but we shouldn't practice sustainability and eco-friendliness just one day a year.
- By purchasing quality outdoors gear that uses sustainable manufacturing processes or from companies that contribute to charitable causes, you can make minimal negative impact on the places you love while supporting them at the time same.
- Through programs like 1% for the Planet, brands can give back to causes that support the environment.
Earth Day is on April 22 this year, and it gives us all an opportunity to reflect on the impact we have on the planet. This is especially true for people who enjoy the outdoors because often, the things we buy and use when we access these wild spaces can contribute to the destruction of the environment that we enjoy.
The biggest difference you can make is actually by not buying something new. Fixing or reusing the gear that you have means less resources are dedicated to making new gear. But if you are in the market for something new, it pays to look for quality gear that is produced sustainably and will last a long time.
Picking sustainable gear can be hard as nearly every brand makes some kind of claim about its eco-friendliness. Two great indicators that products are made by brands that share your concern for the environment are endorsements by 1% for the Planet or Bluesign.
Businesses that are part of 1% for the Planet support approved environmental nonprofit partners by committing to donate the equivalent of 1% of sales through a combination of monetary, in-kind, and approved advertising contributions. More than $175 million has been donated so far, and brands are also becoming more interested in where that money goes and how they can make their business and manufacturing practices as sustainable as possible.
Bluesign looks at sustainability by ensuring that textiles bearing its logo don't use harmful chemicals and comply to standards for environmentally-friendly and safe production. These certifications aren't mutually exclusive, and many companies will have both.
Here are our picks for sustainable and environmentally-friendly gear this Earth Day.
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