P RODUCT C ERTIFICATIONS
Bluesign: Certifies textiles for environmental impact, workplace safety, consumer protection. bluesign.com/en
Cradle to Cradle Certified (C2C): Covers material health, circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness at the product level. c2ccertified.org
Fair Trade: Labor, environmental, ethical standards that prohibit slavery and child labor, promote sustainability, support farmworkers, and mandate fair wages, safe and fair working conditions. fairtradecertified.org
Fairtrade International: Fairly produced and traded products; traceable supply chains. fairtradeamerica.org
Forest Stewardship Council: Paper and wood products sourced from certified sustainably managed forests that promote and protect biodiversity, benefit lives of local people and workers, and sustain economic viability. fsc.org
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Organic fibers certified based on ecological and social criteria, independent third-party supply-chain certification. globalstandard.org
OEKO-TEX: Textile safety standard; certifies fabrics are free of harmful chemicals, safe for humans. okeo.tex.com
Protect Land + Sea: Personal care product does not contain environmental pollutants. haereticus-lab.org/protect-land-sea-certification-3/
Recycled Content Certification: Certified measurement of recycled content as a percentage of product. scsglobalservices.com/services/recycled-content-certification
Reef Friendly or Reef Safe: Sunscreen or topical cosmetic free from ingredients, preservatives, and additives found to be toxic to coral reefs. biorius.com/cosmetics-certifications/reef-friendly-certification/
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI): Certifies products made from forests based on measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife, and environmental conservation. forests.org
B RAND C ERTIFICATIONS
Carbon Neutral Certified: Certification process that helps companies measure their carbon footprint, offset carbon emissions, and put plans into place to reduce or eliminate future emissions. carbonneutral.org
Certified B Corporation: Holistic social and environmental impact certification for companies based on verified performance, legal accountability, and transparency. bcorporation.net
Green Americas Green Business Certification: Certified commitment to using business as a platform for social change through social justice, environmental sustainability, and transparency. greenamerica.org
1% for the Planet: Companies pledged to donate at least 1 percent of gross sales to environmental nonprofits. onepercentforthe planet.org
A GRICULTURAL C ERTIFICATIONS
Demeter Biodynamic: Certifies organic farming practices with higher standards for holistic, ecological, ethical farming; requirements for fertility, on-farm solutions for disease, pest, and weed control, water conservation, and biodiversity. demeter-usa.org
Marine Stewardship Council: Certifies marine and freshwater organisms sourced from effectively managed fisheries that do not deplete species habitats and minimize environmental impact. msc.org
Non-GMO Project Verified: Wholesale and consumer goods made by brands with verified systems in place to minimize and avoid genetically modified organism contamination via testing, traceability, segregation, formulation, labeling, and quality assurance. nongmoproject.org/product-verification/the-standard
Rainforest Alliance Certified: Farm and forest products sourced, made, and sold sustainably according to farm and supply chain requirements. rainforest-alliance.org
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO): Certifies responsible sourcing of palm oil across complex supply chain. rspo.org
USDA National Organic Program: Agricultural production that minimizes synthetic materials and promotes resource recycling and ecological balance. usda.gov/topics/organic
To close the loop, divert waste from going to landfills, and prevent further virgin material extraction, buying secondhand is a necessary part of an outdoor minimalist lifestyle. While I encourage you to look for gear consignment shops within your local community, there are other places to find quality gear and outdoor clothing. Buying used outdoor equipment not only helps the environment, but it can help close the gap and make outdoor recreation more accessible no matter your financial situation.
Where to Buy Used Gear and Equipment
- Patagonia Worn Wear
- REI Good & Used
- Arcteryx Used Gear
- The North Face Renewed
- Geartrade
- Isella Outdoor
- Switchbackr
- Out&Back
- Rerouted.co
- Outdoor Gear Exchange (gearx)
- Online Goods Exchange Platforms: Facebook Marketplace, craigslist, eBay, etc.
C OMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED IN THE TEXT *
Clean Trails: international 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a worldwide community of people dedicated to keeping our wild places and the trails that access those spaces free of litter.
CNOC Outdoors: outdoor gear company manufacturing trekking poles, hydration systems, and more in Portland, Oregon.
CragDog: company repurposing used climbing equipment into gear for dogs based out of Duluth, Minnesota.
Fish Gods LLC: creators of an easy to wear trash collection bag you can use on hikes.
Great Lakes Gear Exchange: used gear consignment store based out of Duluth, Minnesota.
Green Guru: company making gear and bike bags by upcycling materials like bike tubes, tents, and wetsuits based out of Boulder, Colorado.
Khala & CO: low-waste reusable food storage option made from cloth and wax materials. Based in Frederick, Colorado.
Lava Linens: women-owned company that produces a rugged outdoor towel made from flax linen using sustainable practices based out of Boulder, Colorado.
Metamorphic Gear: outdoor and travel gear company that makes products by upcycling them out of sailing equipment.