Alpkits new 2022 Sustainability Report is a beautifully illustrated book with easy graphics, stories and milestones in its journey from start up to B Corp. It sets out an entire sustainability strategy in 6 simple principles and why it is so much fun working in the outdoor industry.
For the very first time, the report includes an estimate of Alpkit’s entire carbon chain from raw material through to end-of-life. It includes impacts such as staff commuting; home delivery; the wash, care cycle; and a products ultimate recyclability. The results are encouraging as it sets out how the brand will meet its long term absolute carbon reduction commitments.
The most sustainable jacket is the one you already own
Fresh analysis in the report proves what we always knew – that the most sustainable product is the one you already own – simply use a product for longer to reduce your environmental impact. Alpkit estimates over 80% of a footprint is spent before a customer touches the product. It’s the production and distribution processes that have the highest carbon intensity. This is why all their stores offer repair and care services plus drop-off points to give any unwanted outdoor gear to people that need it. Alpkit carried out over 2,850 repairs last year and has found a new use for over 5 tons of old outdoor kit through its Continuum project.
Putting People and Planet Before Profit
Its charity, Alpkit Foundation, has directly helped over 30,000 get outside. Alpkit has given away 40% of its profits to the charity since 2015. “The physical and mental health benefits of the outdoors is well understood” continues David Hanney and “appreciating our natural spaces makes people more aware of the environmental challenges we face”.
“ There’s heaps of information in the report” added Alice Peyredieu, Alpkit Marketing Manager. “ How we’ve eliminated plastic from our packaging and will ship product naked from the factory following a successful trial; that we are zero to landfill and use only renewable energy in the UK; plus our factories are moving to renewables; how our air freight was impacted by the Suez crisis in the summer; the jobs we’ve created; how our team have paid volunteer days to help in our community; and our living wage employer details. Plus we share our tier one factory info and where our product is made. All this supports our ethos that there’s no place for elitism in the outdoors; it’s our love of the outdoors that drives what we do; and our simplicity is encapsulated in our phrase: Go Nice Places Do Good Things.”
You can read the report and find out more at sustainability at Alpkit by going to alpkit.com/2022-sustainability-report