Sustainability is taking the wheel in the outdoor industry and a new online platform could help companies in the space orient their supply chains toward it.
The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), a trade association for the outdoor sector and the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer show, introduced a new content and education platform under the sustainability pillar at outdoorindustry.org. The platform, which features tools and resources developed by the OIA Sustainability Working Group (SWG), a collaborative effort of outdoor industry members working to improve supply chain issues, will help companies and stakeholders reduce their carbon footprint.
The new platform further expands OIA’s sustainability position, equipping outdoor industry members with the information they need regarding environmental topics. Toolkits are available for download on the platform, covering topics like microfiber pollution, chemical management, animal welfare and social responsibility.
The pillar includes two new sections–climate change and sustainable business innovation–each designed to inform industry members about minimizing the use of greenhouse gases and developing innovative material recycling methods. In addition to covering environmental topics, the new sustainability platform offers industry members step-by-step guidance on circular economy practices, including sharing preferred materials and engaging with compliance standards like the Higg Materials Index.
OIA’s site launch coincided with the Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show (OR + OS) in Denver, where the SWG held its first Sustainability Convergence event, gathering innovators, investors, academia, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss methods to advance sustainability in the outdoor sector.
“This year’s meetings attracted over 175 SWG members, reflecting the growing engagement throughout the industry on sustainable supply chain management,” Beth Jensen, OIA’s senior director of sustainable business innovation, said. “With climate change central to OIA’s programming at the 2018 OR + SS, we know our business leaders want to be sure they are doing all they can to reduce their supply chain impact, while also advocating for smart climate solutions.”