The interwebs are rife with : plant a tree, walk to work, pick up trash, recycle. While all of these activities are great (and the latter two we should all be doing every day), I offer you five of the very best ways to celebrate. These are actions that might just ripple through the other 364 days of your year and become habits. They are things you can do—and then talk about with your family and community, so that they feel inspired to pick up the baton, and do them, too.

Earth Day is not just a day. It’s a movement and a call to action to do our part and change our culture to fight for the health of our precious planet before things really go south.

So put down your phones, log out of Facebook and Instagram, and do one or more (or all!) of these five meaningful thingsÌęon Earth Day. Because your daily actions do matter and they’re just the beginning.

Get șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű—on Earth Day and Every Day

Breathe the air. Listen to the noises. Hug a tree. Move your body. The very best action you can do for the planet on Earth Day is to just love being on it. Appreciate it. Commit to it. And don’t hoard it for yourself! Invite a non-outdoorsy friend along on your outing and talk about how getting outside nourishes you on the regular.

Eat Plants

No need to commit to a life of veganism (but more power to you if you can), but skip the meat today and incorporateÌęmore plants into your diet. It will be better for you and way better for the planet. The UN estimates that .

Don’t Buy Anything

We all buy too much stuff—shiny new products we want but don’t really need. These things emit carbon into the atmosphere through their raw materials, production, transport, all to end up in a landfill when we tire of them. Resist the urge to splurge this Earth Day. The de-influencing TikTok trend is largely focused on the health and beauty industry, but it applies to everything, and it’s beautiful. Ask yourself, do I really need this new hoodie, kitchen gadget, or daypack, or table lamp? Or is there still life left in my old one? If you must buy something, visit a secondhand store and go on a treasure hunt.

Donate Some Old Gear

Join the circular economy. That jacket you haven’t worn in three years? Those boots that never fit right? That pack you hang on to because it reminds you of your AT thru-hike? Make like Marie Kondo: Thank them for their service and let them go to someone else who can use them. We’ll even help!

We created our program to keep good outdoor gear in circulation and help one of our favorite nonprofits, . Just box up your stuff, , and send it off to our consignment partner, . They’ll make minor repairs, resell it, and we’ll donate 100 percent of the proceeds to The Oath, who teaches people to take action for planet, inclusion, and adventure.

Skip the Shower

The average American shower lasts for eight minutes and uses 16 gallons of water. The EPA estimates that the U.S. uses more than one trillion gallons of water per year staying clean and fresh. For most of us, turning on the tap is as mindless as scratching an itch. But our great-grandchildren could very likely not have the same experience if we don’t start being more mindful of the water we use every day. Do you really need to shower every day? Do you mindlessly let the tap run while you brush your teeth or turn it off between rinses? If you did, you’d save about three and a half gallons of water with every brush.

Happy Earth Day from all of us at șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű!

Doing right by the planet can make you happier, healthier, and—yes—wealthier. șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s head of sustainability, Kristin Hostetter, explores small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big impact. Write to her at climateneutral-ish@outsideinc.com.

The post 5 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Earth Day appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones thinks about climate change 100 times a day—that’s no exaggeration.ÌęAs founder of , a nonprofit that focuses on legislative climate action, and , maker of boards, gear, and apparel, it’s his job. Jones also happens to be my cousin, and we’ve talked about environmentalism and sustainability our entire adult lives. But how does he translate those thoughts into actual, tangible, everyday deeds? I recently spoke to Jones about how he takesÌęaction for climate 365 days a year.

Constant Communication

Everyday actions and practices matter, but conversations, especially with people who might be in a different political camp as you, are key. A lot of people feel like they don’t belong to the climate movement because they recognize they contribute to the problem–maybe they fly a lot, raise cattle, or just love burgers, work for an oil or plastics company, or still buy bottled water by the case. This feeling of being on the outsideÌęis a huge problem. I don’t care what you do, we need you to join the climate movement. We need people from all sectors, political parties, regions, and backgrounds working together on this one unifying thing: the planet we all live on. Because climate change impacts all of us.

When I talk to people about climate change, I try to find common ground. Your political leanings don’t matter: if you love skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, hunting, or fishing, this affects you. If you love to go mountain biking, RVing, waterskiing, or camping with your kids, it affects you, too. Everyone needs to be welcome in this movement. Whether you drive a monster truck or a Tesla, we want you to be part of the conversation and the solution.

A Greener Business

We launched Jones Snowboards in 2010, and from the start we identified a three point North star: performance, durability, and sustainability. Being part of 1% For The Planet is key because we need more people that wake up every day working on climate action and our donation helps with that.

Three years ago we took a big step by moving away from toxic traditional epoxy resins (to hold the board components together). We finally found a bio-based resin (made from tree sap) that works every bit as good as the old stuff. It took a lot of trial and error.

Next winter we’ll take another big step, with a project that’s been six years in the making: turning old snowboards into new products, and keeping them out of the landfill. We developed a machine that pops the metal edges and inserts off old boards (for recycling). Then we stack boards on top of each other, press them together, and cut them into strips to create these really strong structural pieces we’ll use (instead of carbon fiber) to support power spots in new boards.

Plant-Based Diet

I hate dietary titles, but I’ve been embracing a vegan diet for over 10 years. I used to love a good burger, but I’ve lost the taste for it and this is the best lifestyle lever I can pull for the climate. The cattle industry accounts for 14.5 percent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions [according to the UN]. As a country, we eat way too much red meat. My plant-based diet has also made me a better athlete. I feel better at 48 than I did at 28. Years ago, I thought my snowboard career was waning, but when I switched to a plant-based diet, I felt way more spry and way less achy. I noticed less inflammation in my muscles and joints.

Voting With Dollars

Change takes longer than you think it will, but once it starts, it happens faster than you thought it could. Here’s an example, going back to the food idea: I was coming back from a snowboarding trip recently. It was late and we were driving through Bakersfield, California, (north of L.A) and we were starving. We found a random burger shack that was open and as we pulled in, I thought, ‘what am I gonna eat here.’ Turns out that place had awesome plant-based burgers and shakes. Even Burger King and MacDonald’s have plant-based options on the menus now. You would never have seen that a few years back. But people demanded it, and are voting for plant-based food with their dollars. And it’s changing. The same applies to the outdoor industry. Consumers are rewarding companies for making cleaner products and using their power to get us on a better path.

Reducing Emissions

We only have so much CO2 to burn and I think about my carbon emissions every day. I switched to an EV a couple years ago. I carpool to the mountain and the trailhead and ride my bike around town rather than drive. I recycle and avoid plastic. I’ve updated my house with solar panels, a heat pump, better insulation, more efficient appliances, all of which gave me huge energy savings. And I only get on a plane when I really have to. I take fewer, longer, slower trips now. The majority of my adventuring takes place here in the Sierra, my back yard, and I’ve cut my air travel by about 90 percent over the last 15 years.. It stung a bit at first losing my frequent flier benefits, but I’m over it and now I’m happy sitting in the back of the plane and traveling less. Pro tip for others who have recently lost airline status: Board last and ask if they can bump you up to a better seat or an empty row (poor man’s first class).

Doing right by the planet can make you happier, healthier, and—yes—wealthier. șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s Head of Sustainability, Kristin Hostetter, explores small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big impact. Write to her at climateneutral-ish@outsideinc.com.

The post Here’s How Jeremy Jones Takes Climate Action Every Single Day appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Confession: I love bougieÌęlettuce. You know, the stuff that comes in plastic clamshell packaging, costs about 20 cents per leaf, and always has the words “organic” and “baby” on the label. I’d eat a pile with every meal if I could, dressed in a squeeze of lemon and a little olive oil.

But the packaging kills me. I feel pangs of guilt every time I toss one in my grocery cart, knowing that I’m supporting a company who uses plastic packaging and that plastic recycling rates in the U.S. are only around 6 percent.

Oftentimes, though, to make up for my fancy lettuce habit, I choose more humble, naked greens–like the bland head of red leaf or green leaf lettuce or a head of cabbage dressed up with some chopped herbs or kale.

It got me thinking about all the choices I make in the grocery store and the packaging of every item I place on the check-out conveyor belt. As someone who’s trying to live more sustainably, should I buy my ancho chili powder in a plastic bottle or a glass one?

Like most things in the world, the devil is in the details. It was time to make some grocery store swap-outs.

“Less packaging is always better for the planet,” says Cory Connors,Ìęhost of . “By choosing products that are package-free or sustainably packaged, you’re voting with your wallet and telling companies that you won’t buy stuff that’s excessively or irresponsibly packaged.”

But it’s over-simplisticÌęto think that all packaging is evil. “There’s nothing sustainable about rotten or damaged food,” says Connors. “If a company has to package something in a multilayered plastic container in order to get it to the consumer in an edible state, that’s more sustainable than not using packaging if it results in rotten, unusable food.”

“We can all be part of the solution when it comes to sustainable packaging,” says Connors. “The key, says Connors, is to only buy products that are packaged in material that you are certain that you can recycle in your community or, better yet, that you , like glass jars. Confirm with your local material recycling facility (also known as a MRF, which rhymes with surf) what is actually getting recycled. Then share what you know in your community.”

Connors is encouraged by systemic shifts he’s seeing, like more stores adopting and services to accommodate things like soft plastics and textiles.

In the average grocery store today, we’re faced with choices on literally every shelf, so Connors and I took a virtual stroll, aisle by aisle, to talk about the most sustainable choices we can make at the grocery store.

16 Easy Grocery Store Swap-Outs

Fresh and Refrigerated Stuff

1. In the produce department, skip the plastic produce bags. This is one of the simplest grocery store swap-outs you can make. Just wash those fruits and veggies.

2. Buy loose carrots, potatoes, and onions, rather than the pre-bagged options.

3. Choose cardboard egg cartons, not plastic or styrofoam. You can put them in the recycle bin or repurpose them as seed starters for the garden or DIY fire starters with melted candle scraps and sawdust or dryer lint. Egg cartons also make a great substitute for packing peanuts or you can tear them up and add them to the compost heap.

4. If you’re stopping by the deli counter, bringÌęyour own containers, and skip the plastic bags and cups. “It takes guts to bring your own packaging into a typical store,” says Connors. I can attest to this. Most deli workers raise their eyebrows when I ask them to put the sliced provolone in my silicone bag, but they do it. “Ten years ago people, it was radical to bring your own reusable grocery bags to the store,” says Connors. “But now it’s commonplace, thanks to bag bans and bag taxes. Maybe the same will be true for deli bags and containers in the future.”

5. If you’re buying a cut of meat that is sold both at the butcher counter and in prepackaged portions, opt for the former. You can use the strategy listed above—bring your own re-usable containers. Note that if your purchase comes wrapped in butcher paper with a plastic coating, that won’t be recyclable. Be brave! If someone questions you, take the opportunity to tell them that you’re trying to avoid single-use plastic packaging.

6. Avoid black plastic (often found in the prepackaged meat department) trays at all costs. . Anywhere. Putting it in your bin is wishcycling.

Dry Goods

7. If your store has a bulk aisle, shop there for staples like rice, grains, nuts, and pasta. Bring your own containers!

8. “When we think about things like spices, sauces, and condiments, whatever container you will wash and reuse when it’s empty has the lower carbon footprint,” says Connors. “If you reuse glass bottles, for instance, that’s the best grocery store swap-out you can make. If you don’t plan on reusing the container, just be sure that whatever you buy is recyclable where you live.”

9. Kick the bottled water habit. Just do it. In the U.S., we’re fortunate to have perfectly drinkable tap water just about everywhere. Invest in a good water bottle and refill it often. Here’s my fave.

10. Wean yourself off plastic wrap. I was hooked for many years, but I kicked the habit when I realized that my roll of plastic is nice to have, but not a need. Now, when I really need to wrap something, I find another method. Beeswax wraps are okay (but they lose their stick after a while). I like reusable silicone bowl covers, which come in a variety of sizes. And sometimes I use tin foil, which is recyclable as long as it’s clean. Just collect it in a ball until you have one that’s about three inches in diameter so it will get sorted properly in the recycling center and not fall through the cracks of the machinery.

11. Say no to liquid or plastic pod-encased dishwasher soap. I love , which only cost me about 41 cents per load and work great. Ìę“All liquid cleaners are 90 percent water,” says Connors. “Buying water-based products for use in a room that produces water (like the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room) is pretty silly. Especially because there are so many powdered and concentrated cleaners available today. And the carbon footprint of concentrates is so much lower, because it requires less packaging and is lighter and smaller to ship and transport.” (Side note: I used to buy Cascade powder in the green cardboard box because of the non-plastic packaging. Then I learned about and made the switch to Blueland.)

12. Order pressed powder tablets, nontoxic powder, or soap nuts to avoid the pods (they’re wrapped in plastic that becomes microplastic when it dissolves) and the big plastic jugs. Don’t get greenwashed into ordering “eco strips” like I was. Just like the pods, they contain a dissolvable plastic that eventually makes its way into our water.

13. Skip the dryer sheets (which are made from single-use plastic in the form of polyester) and opt for . They last for more than 1,000 loads, so you’ll save money, too.

14. Stop wasting money on zipperlock bags. Even if you wash and reuse them, eventually they give out. Not so with my new favorite bags by . I love these supple yet ruggedÌępouches, which come in a variety of sizes, are easy to clean, easy to seal (some silicone bags are stiff and fussy) and freezer safe.

Personal Care

15. Skip the plastic shampoo bottles and discover the wonder of . This is one of my favorite grocery store swap-outs because shampoo bars do a fantastic job and last forever as long as you don’t let them sit in a puddle of water. They’re great for travel, too, which means you can reject the little plastic bottles in your hotel room.

16. And say goodbye to plastic conditioner bottles full of watered down product, too. After trying a slew of conditioner bars that leave my long hair feeling dry, waxy, and tangly, I finally found one by that kicks ass.

One last thing: If you’re frustrated by the excessive plastic packaging at your local grocery, write a letter and tell them so! I used from nonprofit , and about a week later received a phone call from the store manager. We had a meaningful discussion, and while he defended the need to package bulk-bought spinach in clamshell plastic packaging, he listened, and conceded that there are some items in the store that could do with less packaging, and promised to look into it.

Doing right by the planet can make you happier, healthier, and—yes—wealthier. șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s Head of Sustainability, Kristin Hostetter, explores small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big impact. Write to her atÌęclimateneutral-ish@outsideinc.com.

The post Go Gentler on the Planet with These Grocery Store Swap-Outs appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Update: August 8, 10 A.M.: On August 7, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act. It now goes to the House for a final vote, where it is expected to pass.

On Thursday, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), reached an agreement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to support an array of spending priorities that the Biden Administration put forward. Dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act, it includes $369 billion in new money to address climate change—the largest investment in emissions reduction ever. But to get Manchin’s approval, the bill’s fine print links any development of renewable energy on federal land to an expansion of oil and gas drilling on those lands. Environmentalists are calling the requirement a “poison pill” and say it defeats the administration’s climate goals.Ìę

The House of Representatives passed a bill last year called the Build Back Better Act that included $555 billion in climate investments. But in the evenly divided Senate, where Vice President Kamala Harris’ vote serves as a tiebreaker, and where the GOP remains united in its opposition to pretty much everything, every single Democrat senator needs to support a bill if it’s to stand any chance of passing.Ìę

Even then, bills are only able to pass the Senate through a political maneuver known as . Since that process can only be used infrequently, and only for spending measures, Democrats must stuff a variety of their priorities into large spending packages. In this case, the climate change money is included in the bill alongside a provision that will allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, and one which extends funding for the Affordable Care Act through 2025.Ìę

Spending in the Inflation Reduction Act totals $433 billion over ten years. To pay for that, the bill proposes raising $739 billion by increasing the corporate minimum tax rate to 15 percent, reducing the prices Medicare pays for prescription drugs, eliminating the carried interest corporate tax loophole, and expanding the IRS’ ability to pursue corporate tax cheats. The $300 billion surplus will go to reducing the federal deficit, which Democrats claim will help reduce inflation.Ìę

Manchin, , has long opposed taking any action to address climate change. So the rest of the Democratic Party has been forced to negotiate with him in order to pass any sort of spending of that nature. Manchin’s demands brought that $555 billion climate budget down to $369 billion.Ìę

Here’s how that $369 billion will be spent.Ìę

Clean Energy and Electric Vehicles: There are a variety of tax cuts aimed at reducing the cost of green technologies in transportation and electricity generation, for both manufacturers and consumers. Those two sectors are responsible for 52 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, some tax credits would incentivize power companies to use more solar, wind, and batteriesÌęwhile producing, transmitting, and storing electricity for the public. Another would incentivize the public to install heat pumps and add solar panels to their homes.Ìę

The bill will expand the tax credit for purchasing an electric vehicle through 2032, offering people purchasing a new EV a $7,500 break, and those buying a used one $4,000.

There’s also money to make public housing energy efficient, and to help home owners purchase more efficient appliances.Ìę

Methane Emissions: Methane may not stay in the atmosphere as long as carbon does, but it generates 86 times as much heat during the 20 or so years in which it does. Plus, governments have not traditionally regulated methane emissions to the same degree as carbon, and methane is emitted during every stage of oil and gas production.

The bill will impose limits on methane leakage and impose hefty fines on violators, while creating a royalty fee for all methane extraction on public lands, including methane that’s vented or flared from oil and gas wells. There’s even budget for the Environmental Protection AgencyÌęto monitor methane producers and enforce these regulations.Ìę

Environmental Justice: The bill provides $60 billion for environmental justice, including $15 billion to provide clean energy to low-income communities, $3 billion in grants for those communities to clean up mines, and improve their resilience to climate change, and $3 billion to reconnect communities divided by highway construction.Ìę

Clean Technology: There’s $60 billion earmarked for domestic manufacturing of zero emissions technology. That will provide incentives and financing for domestic production of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and for extraction of the minerals necessary to create batteries.Ìę

Overall, Democrats estimate the bill will reduce carbon emissions “” by 2030, when compared to 2005 levels. That amount is substantial, but still behind Biden’s target to reduce emissions by 50 percent this decade.Ìę

The problem is that Manchin’s negotiations are also going to increase oil and gas production during that time. So, it’s unlikely the bill will have the total impact Democrats claim.Ìę

Buried in sections 50264 and 50265 of are provisions that require any renewable energy projects on federal land be predicated on lease sales first being held for the oil and gas industry. .In order for rights-of-way to be granted to utility-scale renewable energy projects on public lands, the bill requires the Department of the Interior first offer two million acres of public land and 60 million acres of offshore waters to the oil and gas industry, each year, for the next decade.Ìę

“The legislation all but ensures that the fossil fuel industry will maintain current oil and gas production levels without any change for the next decade,” says Brett Hartl, from the Center For Biological Diversity.Ìę

that, separately from this bill, Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also promised Manchin legislation that will ease permitting rules for new oil and gas pipelines, including one that runs through West Virginia.Ìę

“Passing new laws to mandate oil and gas leasing would fundamentally conflict with the Biden administration’s climate goals,” says Hartl.Ìę

The post Manchin Signs on to Biden’s Climate Agenda. But There’s a Catch. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

There are jobs—and then there are jobs. You know the ones: the gigs that make coming to work about so much more than punching the clock and collecting a paycheck.

The ones that fill the workday with camaraderie, a sense of purpose, and just plain fun. It shows in the policies and perks a company offers, in ways big (health insurance, parental leave) and small (ski days, free gear). And they pay off—big time—for employers, who can count on loyal, productive employees who feel invested in the company’s success.

Here are just a few of the ways leaders in this industry go above and beyond for their workers. We hope employers and employees alike will consider this a menu of inspiration for greater workplace satisfaction. To say the past year has been a challenging one for businesses across the industry is an understatement. But despite all the hurdles, we still wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. This is why.

We asked industry members to nominate their workplaces for providing a superior employee experience. After combing through all 165 responses, these are our favorite ideas worthy of imitation.

Play șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

CASE STUDY: Darby Communications, Asheville, NC

As any veteran of summer camp knows, getting out into the wilds together builds lasting bonds. So this boutique PR firm throws an annual staff campout, taking employees on a (paid) overnight excursion that has included paddling to an island campsite, fly-fishing lessons, tubing, and whitewater rafting over the past four years. “It builds community on our team, so there’s a deeper connection between us,” said Vice President Angie Robinson. The pandemic forced the team to cancel last year’s trip, but Darby replaced it with smaller outdoor gatherings, and when it’s safe, “We’re planning on a blowout camping trip to bring back the tradition in a big way,” said Suzanne Hermann, media relations director.

Pro tip: The financial barrier to this sort of retreat is low, points out Robinson. Camping is cheap, and Darby takes advantage of its clients’ gear and services (like whitewater guiding), so the total cost is only $200 to $300 per year for nine employees.

Bring Community to the Cafeteria

CASE STUDY: Skratch Labs, Boulder, CO

Every month, 29 full-time employees of nutrition/sports drink company Skratch Labs are invited to a communal breakfast at the office, courtesy of founder Allen Lim. Some staffers play sous chef, helping whip up Lim specialties like savory rice porridge, breakfast salad, and egg tacos. “In the same way that a family is closer when they share meals around the table, we are a better team when we do the same,” said CEO Ian MacGregor. Since last spring, the communal dining has shifted to live cooking lessons for employees at home. “We prep and ship all necessary ingredients to each of our team members, then we all get on a massive video call and learn to make something,” said MacGregor.

Pro tip: Even if you don’t have a full kitchen or a cookbook author for a founder, as Skratch Labs does, you can still break bread as a team: Think regular takeout gatherings or voluntary potlucks.

Embrace Inclusivity

Brands across the industry are beginning to meet the moment by ramping up DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts.Ìę

Hit the Slopes

In what other industry do you get formal permission to go skiing when the pow is fresh? Here are just a few of the businesses that allow—nay, encourage—playing hooky on a snow day: Backbone Media, BoldBrew, Burton, Hala Gear/CKS Online, Meteorite PR, and Stio.

Commit to Fighting Climate Change

CASE STUDY: BioLite, Brooklyn, NY, and Peak Design, San Francisco, CA

BioLite (maker of camp stoves and lights) and Peak Design (a camera gear and travel bag brand) took their sustainability missions to the next level in 2018 with the launch of their Climate Neutral nonprofit. The organization helps other brands measure their total carbon footprints—from sourcing to manufacturing to shipping—and then offset them with carbon credits, earning certification. In 2019, 146 companies joined the program, representing a sizable commitment to reducing carbon emissions. “Climate Neutral makes me so proud to be a part of the organization,” said BioLite Ecommerce Operations Manager Joseph Caravaglia. Hyden Polikoff, treasurer at Peak Design, agreed: “I want the place where I put my time and effort to embody my values.”

Get Creative when Challenged

CASE STUDY: Mustang Survival, Burnaby, BC

When the pandemic hit last March, industry members counterpunched. Mustang Survival was one of them, switching from making its usual dry bags, drysuits, and ocean racing gear to churning out hundreds of thousands of waterproof/breathable protective gowns for healthcare workers (many other brands swiftly did the same with masks and eye shields). Not only did the pivot provide crucial PPE to hospitals across Canada, but it also allowed Mustang to hire 50 new employees (31 of them were still with the brand as of press time). “We set up a school and ran new hires through extensive training on sewing and taping,” said Mark Anderson, VP of engineering. “They learned skills directly transferrable to the apparel we make.”

Be Generous with Vacation Time

CASE STUDY: Roads Rivers and Trails, Milford, OH

Every winter for the past six years, as long as she’s been working at specialty retailer Roads Rivers and Trails, Manager Olivia Eads (pictured below on Pikes Peak) has taken at least a month off work to go climbing. Owners Bryan Wolf, Joe White, and Emily White highly encourage it with unlimited (unpaid) vacation time for all staff. “We get the shifts covered and we make it work,” said Wolf. In 2019, employees averaged 40 days off apiece—“and that’s just outdoor trips, not Christmas,” Wolf noted.

Welcome Fido

Embracing pups in the office— when we go back to the office, that is—pays off for both dogs (more walks) and employees (research shows that the presence of a furry friend reduces stress and boosts self-esteem). A few businesses that make room for our best friends: Arc’teryx, Kelty, Nemo, Ruffwear, and Xero Shoes.

Spread Profits Around

Some workplaces give everyone a different kind of promotion. All employees at șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű (OBJ’s parent company) get stock options, which increase with strong performance or a promotion. “It’s critical for creating alignments [between employees and the company] and incentives,” said CEO Robin Thurston. When the company does well and hard work pays off, employees benefit, too.

Encourage Exploration

CASE STUDY: Cotopaxi, Salt Lake City, UT

How’s this for an antidote to job turnover? After 18 months, employees of this B Corp apparel and gear brand can cash in on their first of two “bucket list stipends”: $1,000 to use on a dream trip anywhere in the world. After five years, the reward bumps up to $5,000. Recent employee trips have included touring Morocco, cycling the French Alps, and a fish-spearing, coconut-gathering survival excursion on a remote Caribbean island. “Number one, we need to be able to attract and retain talent, and this is a unique perk,” said founder and CEO Davis Smith. “And secondly, we want to make sure our employees are living the values of the business. We’re building a brand around adventure and exploring the world.” Cotopaxi has spent nearly $100,000 on its bucket list payouts so far, he says, but, “These things pay for themselves—you don’t have to pay higher wages to convince someone to join the team, or [deal with] rehiring.”

Pro tip: Cotopaxi helps employees make the most of their trips by holding learning sessions on topics like getting involved in local communities and traveling on a shoestring budget. “Within the team, there’s a constant sharing of travel deals,” said Smith. “If you keep your eye on deals, $1,000 can cover a trip somewhere really fun.”

Get Gear in Our Hands

CASE STUDY: NRS, Moscow, ID

Paddling gear can be expensive, as NRS’s employees well know. But lack of capital won’t ever stand in the way when someone pulls a rafting permit, thanks to the brand’s “company use” stash of rafts, frames, coolers, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, and drysuits. Employees can check out the gear for free. “We’ve had employees go on Grand Canyon trips, and they were able to get everything they needed and disappear with it for 18 days,” said Steve Farley, key account manager. In 2019, 130 employees dipped into the stash for a total of 880 checkouts.

Pro tip: Appoint someone (or a small team, as NRS does) to manage the gear sign-out process and keep items clean, safe, and organized.

Give Us Long Weekends

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics offers half-day Fridays, and in summer, Outdoor Prolink switches to a four-10s schedule. Nobody’s head is really in the game at 3 P.M. Friday anyway.

Support Employees’ Life Goals

CASE STUDY: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT

Employees who get five years under their belts at this retailer have extra reason to celebrate: They qualify for its Living the Dream program, which awards a $5,000 grant for pretty much anything that makes their lives a little easier. “Originally, it was to go on a dream trip,” said Brian Wade, executive director of retail and service. But the list of acceptable uses has ballooned over the years to include down payments on homes, childcare, a new vehicle, or paying off debt. “I can’t think of anybody who hasn’t figured out a way to use it,” he said.

Pro tip: How does OGE afford it? “We just do it,” said Wade, noting that the total expense is a fairly small line item on the budget. “It’s nice to honor the people who’ve put in time. And the emotional impact of getting a lump sum is really great.”

Support New Parents…

CASE STUDY: șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű PR, San Francisco, CA

In a country where his seven-person PR firm doesn’t legally have to provide any break for its new parents, owner Gordon Wright instead offers the best parental leave policy we’ve seen in the industry: six months of leave at 80 percent salary, moms and dads alike. “It feels like theÌęright thing to do,” Wright said. That kind of investment pays off in ways both tangible (an attractive carrot when looking for new talent) and intangible, says Senior Account Executive Kelsey McGraw. “Gordon and all the managers believe family comes first,” she said. “They care for my well-being, and I don’t want to disappoint them. I want to work that much harder to see this company be successful.”

Pro tip: Doing without a key employee for six months poses challenges, but Wright notes that hiring a freelance substitute can help any company keep chugging along.

…And Not-So-New Parents

CASE STUDY: Patagonia, Ventura, CA

Parents industry-wide could be forgiven for daydreaming about a job switch to Patagonia. For one, there are the on-site daycares (in Ventura and Reno), which together care for 200 kids and offer tuition discounts based on income. “Being able to nurse my son at daycare rather than pump every three hours was so huge,” said Amy Garrahan, southwest sales manager. AndÌęif a primary parent needs to travel for work while a baby is still nursing? Patagonia covers travel expenses for a caregiver.ÌęPro tip: Half of the brand’s daycare program is covered through tuition; 75 percent of the rest is recouped via tax credits, improved productivity, and employee retention. Companies that can’t add their own programs can still help parents with daycare stipends and more flex time options.

Bond over Workouts

Good: allowing employees to head out for a midday sweat break. Better: organizing group runs, yoga classes, bike rides, and even surfing sessions (like Nemo does on the New England coast) during the workday for communal exercise, stress relief, and team bonding in one fell swoop.

Make Fitness Easy

CASE STUDY: Wolverine Worldwide, Rockford, MI

Spin classes, pickleball, pickup volleyball, and basketball: All in a day’s work at Wolverine. Opened in 2019, the on-campus, 29,000-square-foot The Rock facility also offers an indoor track, group fitness classrooms, and cardio equipment. Plus, membership is free for all 600-plus employees of eight brands. “Not only does it help in getting people excited to work for Wolverine, but having a variety of activities available is really key for blowing off steam,” said Merrell Senior Marketing Manager Lauren King.

Pro tip: Building an entire gym might not be in the cards. “But figuring out things that might not cost a lot of money, but add a lot to culture, is.” See #16 and #18 for ideas.

Give Cash for Ski Passes

Or gym memberships, yoga classes, and other wellness perks of choice, as sales agency Caraway & Co. does ($150 per employee per year).

Invest in Employee Healthcare

CASE STUDY: Waypoint Outdoor, Seattle, WA

Perks like gyms and company bike rides are great, but a real commitment to employee health should be built on a foundation of high-quality, affordable health insurance. This sales agency for brands like Klean Kanteen and Smartwool takes that to heart, covering 100 percent of premium costs for its employees. That’s made a huge difference for sales rep Carly Morava, a cancer survivor who’s been with the company for three years. She’d wanted to switch careers from retail to repping, but was afraid she wouldn’t be able to afford the insurance she needed. Unlike other workplaces she’d considered, Morava said, “Waypoint pays for everything, and it’s a really good plan.”

Help People Climb the Ladder

CASE STUDY: KEEN, Portland, OR

In a workplace just as on a mountain, sometimes the right guide can make all the difference. That’s why Keen added formal mentoring to its benefits. The Career Compass Program matches eager employees with seasoned volunteer “coaches” for structured career advice and development. Pairs meet twice a month to set goals and track progress. Though the program is open to everyone, says Global Communications Manager Mindy Montgomery, women make up the bulk of the participants—“Research shows that women utilize formal mentoring programs more because men have greater access to informal mentoring opportunities,” she noted. Senior Compliance Specialist Elsa Clements credits the program with helping her land a promotion in 2019. “It was super-valuable in giving me confidence,” she said. She worked with her coach on strategies for putting her best foot forward, and “It was really good for me to have that framework when I sat down with my manager.”

Pro tip: Career Compass facilitators consider applicants’ communication style and personality when setting up pairs. “If the participant and coach have trouble communicating, they’re going to have a hard time forming a connection,” said Montgomery, “which is a crucial component to a successful coaching relationship.”

Support Education

Help us advance by springing for certifications, courses, conferences, and skills clinics. Take Vail Resorts: Employees can apply for a $2,500 Educational Ascent Grant to fund a college degree (vocational to Ph.D.) or certificate (such as EMT).

Let Employees Drive Improvements

CASE STUDY: Hydro Flask, Bend, OR

Hydro Flask holds its own kind of holiday two or three times a year: the Better Future Day. Each one features a menu of activities for employees to choose from, all conceived and planned by fellow employees. Recent options have included guided meditations, art workshops, public speaking courses, and SUP sessions. “It could be anything from, ‘It’s time to reorganize our shelves’ to ‘Let’s bring in an expert on a topic like racism and have a difficult discussion,’” said Lucas Alberg, senior manager, PR and brand communications. Continually working on company culture is a bedrock value for Hydro Flask, says Senior HR Generalist Ryan Combellick, “but if it’s something that’s just coming from the top down, it can feel forced.”

Pro tip: Don’t overthink the scheduling, and just do it. “There’s never a good time for this, but it’s imperative that you make it happen,” noted Alberg. “Productivity may be lost that day, but it’s taking one step back and two steps forward for the company.”

Encourage Clubs

Supporting an employee resource group (ERG), a club dedicated to a particular identity or interest—from working parents to sober employees to members of specific ethnicities or religions—cultivates belonging and community. VF Corp. has put significant resources into its ERGs since 2017.

Make the World a Better Place Far Away


CASE STUDY: Superfeet, Ferndale, WA

When this insole brand decides to give back, it goes big. Superfeet donates 1 percent of its profits to charity, including an ongoing public-health service trip to Guatemala to build latrines and rainwater-capture tanks for small rainforest villages. “I wanted our employees to be engaged with the charities we’re working with,” said Director of Outreach and Fit Jeff Gray, who runs the program. “How can we get down on our hands and knees and get dirty and make a difference? It’s about writing the check, then also diving in.” The brand has taken eight to ten employees on the (fully paid) trip for the past four years, an opportunity that has proven so popular that Gray has to pull names out of a size-17 running shoe to select participants. Superfeet’s commitment to nonprofits builds loyalty and helps attract employees, said Gray: “So many are grateful to be able to work within this culture.”

Pro tip: Got the cash—or the time—to donate? Choose beneficiaries carefully, says Gray. He screened a number of nonprofits before choosing six to support based on how well their core values matched Superfeet’s. “Then you can build that relationship, bond, and do some great work together,” he said.

…And Closer to Home

CASE STUDY: Big Agnes, Steamboat Springs, CO

For a company making gear tailored for use on the trail, volunteer trail maintenance felt like a natural way to live out brand values of land stewardship and community involvement.

So Big Agnes zeroed in on the Continental Divide Trail, which passes within two miles of company HQ, officially adopting the 72 miles from nearby Rabbit Ears Pass to the Wyoming border in 2018. Since then, the brand has organized several trail work days on their section every year. “It’s a cool opportunity to see the owners of the company really caring about our public lands, and [having] the employees be part of that,” said Product Developer Paige Baker. And though the point of the trail work is giving back, it doesn’t hurt brand image with customers, either, says co-owner Len Zanni, who notes that the marketing team produces blog posts and publishes catalog essays about the project.

Pro tip: Scale give-back projects according to your workplace’s size and goals. “Think about what you care about, then figure out what organizations or areas could use your help, and how much help you can lend,” said Zanni. “If you’re a smaller organization, maybe you can put someone on a nonprofit board, or donate money or time.”

Remote Work Policies that Work for All

When the pandemic ends, many will still appreciate the flexibility to work remotely. Evans says the best policies let employees work wherever they’re most productive. Her company, The Ready, traded its office for monthly stipends for home office upgrades, co-working spaces, or rent for optional group offices.

Fair Profit Sharing

Sharing success fosters an environment of collaboration, not competition. Email marketing firm ConvertKit diverts a chunk of its profits to a shared pool that’s distributed to all through a formula that gives a little extra to those with the longest tenure.

Employee Connection

One easy way to help build connection among virtual workers: Start meetings with a five-minute check-in, prompted with questions like, “What was your weekend highlight?”

Self-Set Salaries

Want employees to really feel they’re being paid what they’re worth? Let them choose their own salaries, like tomato-packing brand Morning Star has done for decades—and make all of them public.

The post 29 Ways to Build a Happier Company appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

For the first time since their introduction in 2018, REI’s groundbreaking Product Impact Standards—a series of requirements companies must meet if they wish to stay on the retailer’s shelves—have received an update.

Initially conceivedÌęto support ethical production practices and sustainability, the standards have now expanded to cover diversity, equity, and inclusion, raising the bar further for brands currently selling their products at any of REI’s 160+ locations across the country.

“Rather than looking at sustainability only, we’ve re-conceived the standards to include diversity and inclusion,” REI vice president of product Chris Speyer told OBJ today. “This follows a natural timeline. We launched the first standards in 2018, and 2020 was our deadline for our vendors to meet them. Once we completed that step, it was a perfect time to rethink our goals.”

New 2020 REI Product Impact Standards

Though some new climate and sustainability requirements have been added to the 2020 standards, the most notable change is the addition of DEI standards that REI’s vendors are now asked to follow.

To develop the new rules and ensure their feasibility, REI consulted with brands of various sizes and product categories, as well as with more than a dozen DEI nonprofits, advocates, and ambassadors.

“As a co-op, we’ve relied for a long time on collective and cooperative action for meaningful change,” said Nicole Browning, REI’s inclusion marketing manager. “This update is rooted in the belief that everyone should have the chance to feel welcome and affirmed when they step out their door. That’s not the case for most folks, so we’re looking at ways to reduce barriers to belonging that often show up in outdoor products.”

The new standards are listed below exactly as REI has delivered them to vendor companies. This list includes new standards only. Several of the previous standards have been slightly modified as well.

• REI expects each brand partner to have in place creative controls to prevent cultural appropriation: plagiarism, theft, and/or inappropriate use of designs, patterns, forms, materials, words/names, etc. that are culturally meaningful to and/or originated from Native, Indigenous or other underrepresented communities.
• REI expects each brand partner to have in place guidelines for marketing assets, photo casting, and production that ensure diverse and inclusive representation across race, age, gender identity/expression, body size, and disability, and expects photography provided to REI reflect the same.
• REI expects that all wearable products supplied to REI be available in colorways appropriate for a range of skin tones/complexions and that products marketed as “Nude,” including those with embellishments and/or linings intended to give the impression of bare skin or to mimic skin tone, be available in a range of tones.
• REI expects each brand partner to have in place creative controls to prevent the use of language in naming conventions (as applied to product, collection, color, or design), product information, marketing assets, etc. that negatively impact underrepresented groups (by reinforcing stereotypes, utilizing slurs, co-opting cultural language, etc.).
• REI expects that all footwear, packs, sleeping bags and tents supplied to REI be free of long-chain PFAS.
• REI expects that all ski wax products and gear and clothing treatments supplied to REI be free of long-chain and short-chain PFAS.
• REI expects each brand partner to have established an action plan for measuring their annual carbon footprint and reducing their carbon emissions in alignment with the recommendations of the United Nations (UN) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Each brand’s carbon footprint should be aligned with the GHG Protocol or an equivalent framework and should include emissions from scopes one, two and three.

REI has asked vendors to meet the new standards by the end of 2021, with the exception of the third requirement regarding colorways. The company has set that deadline for 2023 to respect the typical timeline of the product-design process.

Speyer stressed that the goal of the updated standards is not to “kick anyone off the shelves.” Most of REI’s brands were able to meet the first round of standards enacted in 2018, he says, because REI provided resources and assistance to vendors that had trouble changing their practices.

“The idea is not to be punitive. It’s to see progress,” Speyer said. “We’re excited to partner with our vendors to make this happen.”

REI Adds New Preferred Attributes

As part of the refresh, REI has also added two new programs to its list of preferred attributes—a collection of voluntary business certifications that vendor brands are encouraged to pursue.

This year, Climate Neutral and Fair for Life were added to the list, bringing the total number of certifications to 15 across ten preferred attribute categories.

In a release published today, REIÌępledged that by 2030 “all products on its shelves will have a preferred attribute so that every purchase at REI supports a healthier, cleaner, more equitable planet.”ÌęThe company reports that, as of today, more than 3,500 of REI’s products can claim one or more of the current preferred attributes.

The updated list of attributes is below.

“The products we carry represent our values and one of our greatest opportunities to support better ways of doing business in our industry,” Speyer wrote in a statement today. “We want our members and customers to shop with confidence, knowing that the products they purchase at REI are helping build a better future for the people and places they love.”

Reactions from the Industry

Mark Galbraith, vice president of product at Osprey, expresses excitement over the new standards, framing them as a challenge to industry players that will accelerate change.

“We are fully committed to evolving our process,” Galbraith said. “By providing a comprehensive framework for base-level brand expectations and aspirational preferred attributes, REI’s sustainability standards have encouraged us, and others who are just as dedicated to elevating sustainability, to step up our efforts.”

Ammi Borenstein, owner of in Seattle, helped some of REI’s vendors adapt to the standards two years ago. He says that these new goals are ambitious but not unreachable.

“With regard to the new DEI requirements, I think all of these goals are achievable in the timelines laid out,” Borenstein said. “It’s appropriate to give a business a year to rethink creative controls, guidelines, and marketing practices. It’s also appropriate to give more runway where it affects product more directly. REI has taken that into consideration.”

Borenstein says that the new central climate requirement—the establishment of an action plan for measuring and reducing carbon output—is also feasible.

“A year is more than enough time for brands to establish a plan,” he said. “For many, executing that plan within a year would be ambitious. It’s probably important for REI to establish a timeline for execution so that vendors aren’t confused on that point. I will almost certainly be reaching out to clarify that point on behalf of my clients.”

Finally,ÌęBorenstein noted that REI leadership was right to craft the standards they way they did—with core requirements as well as optional preferred attributes.

“With any plan like this, it’s important to have a baseline as well as aspirational goals. Nobody is doing this work all at once—it’s too difficult. With this kind of framework, it’s much more accessible.”

The post REI Holds Vendors Accountable for Climate and DEI Practices with New Product Standards appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

REI announced today that the company will become Climate Neutral Certified in 2020, officially completing a goal laid out by former CEO Sally Jewell in 2006. The company has also pledged to reduce its carbon emissions—raw carbon output, as opposed to net output, which can be reduced through the purchase of carbon credits—by 55 percent over the next 10 years.

“The climate crisis is the greatest threat to the future of life outdoors and to REI’s business,”ÌęREI CEO Eric Artz said in a statement Thursday.Ìę“The science is clear about what we, as a society, need to do to change that future. The world must halve its greenhouse gasses emissions by 2030, so that’s where REI—and the broader outdoor community—must lead. Going forward, we’re embedding the impact of doing business, and the cost, into our business model.”

Beginning with emissions in 2020, the company will offset its annual carbon output through the purchase of credits that will cost “in the millions,” said REI senior sustainability manager Andrew Dempsey.

“The reality is, being in the business of making stuff means that you’re still going to emit greenhouse gases. We want to hold ourselves accountable and take the cost of those emissions into our business,” Dempsey told șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Business Journal. “As we look to offset our footprint starting in 2020, that cost will be something that we collectively own as an organization. In terms of the specific mechanisms we’ll use to embed that cost in the business, we’re still designing what that process and framework will look like.”

The company will not pay to offset the carbon impact of all products it sells in its stores, Dempsey confirmed. Credits purchased will cover only REI-branded products and company operations.

In the same announcement this morning, REI also laid out an ambitious goal for the next decade: reducing raw emissions by 55 percent over the next ten years. The number was set according toÌęthe latest guidance from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the company says. According to data in that report, global emissions must be reduced by a minimum of 55 percent by 2030 to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change around the world.

“We must act now, for the generations that follow,” said Artz.

Finally, the company committed Thursday morning to planting 1 million trees around the world by 2030 as part of theÌę1 Trillion Trees initiative, led by theÌęWildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, andÌęBirdLife International.

“This is a journey we’ve been on for a long time and the commitments announced today are the next evolution of that journey,” said Dempsey. “This is an opening statement to engaging further with our community, with our members, with our employees. Reducing our footprint by 55 percent is critical, but it’s through the actions of our community that we can really begin to create more change.”

The post REI Goes Carbon Neutral and Pledges New Sustainability Goals appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

On Earth Day, the San Francisco-based nonprofit Climate Neutral released its first class of “climate neutralÌęcertified” companies, 71 businesses taking concrete actions to combat climate change.

To qualify for the certification, the businesses had to meet three requirements: verifiably measure their greenhouse gas footprint from making and delivering their products in 2019; purchase carbon credits to offset their entire footprint; and implement strategies to reduce future emissions. The certified companies now have the green light toÌędisplay a Climate Neutral Certified label on “packaging, hang tags, websites, and other brand collateral.” The certification lasts for a year before companies must reapply.

“Climate Neutral Certified companies show the world that immediate action on climate change is necessary and possible,” Austin Whitman, CEO of Climate Neutral, said in a statement announcing the news. “Even under challenging business conditions, our first group of brands has stayed committed to solving the climate crisis by directing precious resources toward reducing and offsetting their emissions. We’re proud to be creating a standard for companies’ claims to carbon responsibility, and thrilled at what this group of forward-thinking, responsible brands has achieved.”

The full list of companies—which includes the likes of Klean Kanteen, BioLite, and Gear.com—as well as details about their carbon footprints, can be foundÌę.

The post Climate Neutral Names First Class of Certified Companies appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

With almost every company nowadays using greenwashing words like sustainable, eco-friendly, biodegradable, and nontoxic to describe products, it’s getting more complicated to separate the wheat from the chaff. But a new certification will accredit the true leaders, adding a layer of transparency and setting a higher standard for corporate responsibility.

Officially launched on Monday, Climate Neutral is aÌęnonprofit program to help companies measure, reduce, and offset their full carbon footprint. And come 2020, companies who achieve net-zero are promised a Climate Neutral Certified label for packaging, hangtags, websites, and other marketing materials—like a “Certified Organic” sticker on a banana.

“BioLite started measuring and offsetting our carbon footprint in 2015,” BioLite CEO Jonathan Cedar said. “Through that experience, we came to realize that achieving carbon neutrality is faster, cheaper, and easier than the common perception. Flash forward to 2018 and our friends at Peak Design reached a similar conclusion, asking ‘why aren’t more companies doing this?’”

That was the impetus for Climate Neutral. BioLite and Peak Design first introduced the idea to other brands at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in June. BioLite, Peak Design, and Avocado are the three certified brands so far. Thirty-eight others—including Klean Kanteen, LifeStraw, Kammok, Miir, Rumpl, Sunski, Gear.com, and Tentsile—have signed commitments to monitor their carbon emissions in 2019 and start offsetting in 2020.

Peter Dering, CEO of Peak Design, said this time next year, he’s not sure if there will be 400 or 4,000 brands certified. But he hopes the “label becomes so ubiquitous that governments feel the political freedom to make it law that companies need to take responsibility for their carbon.”

Climate Neutral’s launch falls in the middle of the Global Climate Strike, when millions of Americans are demanding that lawmakers address climate change. According to a recent poll conducted by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation, about eight in ten Americans believe that human activity is fueling climate change.

Researchers say solutions to reverse the climate crisis include depending more on renewable energy, planting trees, reducing food waste, and limiting methane releases.

“Consumer brands today offer many credentials to a prospective buyer, but none of them directly addresses the brand’s climate impact,” Climate Neutral CEO Austin Whitman said. “Even worse, most brands don’t know how much they contribute to climate change. Climate Neutral exists to address both of these gaps so that we can make headway in the climate crisis.”

Once a company calculates how much energy it uses—Peak Design offset 20,000 tonnes of carbon for $60,000 in 2017, according to The Denver Post—Climate Neutral will help certified companies trade in their carbon credits or connect them to resourcesÌędedicated to capturing methane gas from landfills or restoring degraded forests.

“You can afford to do it. You can’t afford not to,” creators of Climate Neutral said.

The post Peak Design and Biolite Create New Climate Neutral Certification appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.