Making sustainability the core of your brand’s identity requires a lot of energy, creative resources and devotion to the cause. The sportswear label Columbia understands this pretty well and shows exactly how the sustainable cycle works, involving the key elements: care for the people and the environment.
Empowering people
Columbia supports and inspires its employees to be active citizens and to be more responsible in their life choices. Every Columbia employee gets paid for 16 volunteer hours per year. The brand has also founded HERproject, which aims to empower the women in the company’s workforce through trainings and enrichment programs.
Sustaining places
The outdoor label is partnering with the National Park Foundation to help kids discover the natural wonders of our world. For each purchased National Park T-shirt, Columbia donates $1 to the Open OutDoors for Kids initiative. The brand also supports the U.S. nonprofit organisationPlanet Water Foundation in providing clean water for people from the world’s most disadvantaged communities.
Responsible practices
Columbia follows the 12 ethical Standards of manufacturing practices (SMP) and monitors performance for the continuous improvement of the working environment. The brand is striving to make products with fewer chemicals which are safe for everyone who comes into contact with them, from the people in the manufacturing process to those who wear them.
Responsible down standard
The brand works under the independent, voluntary global standard The Responsible Down Standard, which recognises the best practices in animal welfare and ensures the down and feathers used in the production of all Columbia products are sourced responsibly.
OutDry Extreme Eco
OutDry Extreme Eco is a sustainable, waterproof, breathable technology for jackets. It combines high performance and ecological materials. The jackets are made with dye-free fabric, 100% recycled materials, 100% responsible down and with strong thermal bonding, which ensures the cold stays out of the body and the down stays inside the jacket.
And these practices are just a few good examples of how the brand keeps up with sustainability.