for the outdoor active lifestyle

Spring PR’s feel good stats from the outdoor industry
by <a href="https://springpr.com/author/abbie/" target="_self">Abbie Baynes</a>

by Abbie Baynes

08 February, 2021

When it comes to ‘giving back and doing good’ brands in the outdoor industry have big hearts.  Here’s a round-up of contributions our brands have made during what’s been one of the most challenging year’s for businesses on a global scale. 

LifeStraw’s Give Back Programme

Personal water filtration specialist LifeStraw launched its Give Back programme back in 2014 and for every 500 products sold, a LifeStraw purifier is delivered to a school in need, providing safe water to 100 school children for a period of five years.  So, for every product sold, a child in a developing community receives safe drinking water for an entire year.  As part of this initiative LifeStraw operates an entire programme from planning and school selection to training, education and follow up.  Local teams work full-time to ensure a quality service.  After five years of on-site education, training and support, LifeStraw renews this commitment to the same schools with new technology, training and support unless those schools have gained access to safe drinking water.

By the end of 2021, LifeStraw will have:

  • Provided over 4.5 million children with one year of safe drinking water
  • Reached 2,050 schools
  • Delivered 12,238 community filters
  • Reached over 20,000 follow up visits

 Elliot Brown’s Fundraising Initiatives

Watch brand Elliot Brown has, to date, raised a staggering £64,670 from the sale of special edition watches and creative initiatives, for charitable organisations, including the RNLI, Mountain Rescue England & Wales, various military charities and over the past year a local NHS Trust and the Royal British Legion. 
 
Last year, the brand launched a T-shirt design competition in the midst of Lockdown with the winning design being sold and every penny going to NHS Trust Poole, raising £4,290.  In addition, to help the Royal British Legion’s struggling fundraising efforts due to COVID restrictions Elliot Brown jumped into gear with another T-shirt design initiative, raising a staggering £8,250.00. 

Polartec’s Recycled & Biodegradable Fleece

Premium producer of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, Polartec, uses recycled and biodegradable materials across its entire product line with, at last count, 1.8 million plastic bottles being turned into recycled fabric.

This process, which not only sees plastic made into knit fabrics but also offcuts made into useful products like flooring, mats, insulation, furniture and even horseshoes, uses reduced consumption including 25% less energy overall, 50% less water and 6,500 tonnes less CO2 each year. This is down to no-heat insulation bonding, more efficient knit patterns and an improved dyeing process; Polartec is proudly transparent of its sustainable manufacturing.

This year, Polartec has launched its Peaking Since ’91 campaign; a look back at 30 years of textile innovation.

Darn Tough’s Partnership with the Vermont Foodbank

Last year, for the fourth consecutive year, Darn Tough Vermont partnered with the Vermont Foodbank to donate 100% of their proceeds from their Giving Tuesday online sales initiative. Sales were up an astounding 165% resulting in 137,100 meals being donated from this single day.  

Darn Tough has supported the Vermont Foodbank for years, but the challenges caused by the pandemic made their partnership that much more meaningful. “Hunger relief is directly tied to giving people strength and energy, helping them tackle any challenges in their lives,” explained Ric Cabot, Founder and CEO of Darn Tough Vermont. “We are committed to ensuring we do our part to feed our fellow Vermonters now and look forward to building this partnership even further in the future,” he said.

Darn Tough also took advantage of an opportunity this year and partnered with mitten maker Jen Ellis. They made a custom premium Merino wool sock that mimics the now-famous mittens Bernie Sanders wore on inauguration day. The sock, named JENerosity sold out in under 24 hours and with 100% of the proceeds going straight to the Vermont Foodbank, Darn Tough has now donated more than 800,000 meals over the life of their partnership.

The company will be expanding its ongoing commitment to the Vermont Foodbank through the launch of an official ‘socks that give back’ programme this spring. 

Hydro Flask’s Parks For All Programme

Double-wall vacuum insulated bottle brand, Hydro Flask, has been supporting non-profit organisations in charge of the building, maintenance and restoration of green spaces across the world through its Parks For All programme since 2017. In turn, this helps people to live happier and healthier lives by providing better access to these public spaces there for everyone to enjoy. The projects range from trail maintenance to education for children through the outdoors to protecting oceans and beaches from plastic pollution.

By the end of 2020, 92 non-profits had been supported globally and over 26,000 re-usable bottles had been donated. 

This year sees a total of £1,500,000 donated (more on that coming soon!).

Trekitt Have Sold 1,451 Bottles Raising Money for Mountain Rescue

Independent outdoor retailer Trekitt has been supporting the Longtown Mountain Rescue team for some years now.  From sponsoring the team’s annual fundraiser to raising money through Trekitt branded Hydro Flask bottle sales, the retailer’s raised a tidy sum.  The Big Blacks Mountain Challenge is an important fund generator for the mountain rescue team and Trekitt funds all operating costs to the tune of around £2.5K a year.  Bottle sales to date have raised £5,732.24.  

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