[shark]

Alpkit has just published its 2021 Sustainability Report with a comprehensive commitment to sustainability, transparency and accountability. In the last 12 months Alpkit has become:

-   Europe’s only bike brand and UK’s only technical outdoor brand that is B Corp Certified. B Corp verifies that Alpkit operates to the highest social and environmental standards
-   Recognised Living Wage Foundation employer during the midst of the lockdown
-   Reached the £300,000 awards to 900 projects benefiting over 15,000 people through the Alpkit Foundation

David Hanney said “We know we're not perfect and don't have all the answers. And we only exist because our customers choose to buy from us. We have faith that positive action and belief in nature will help us build a truly sustainable business”

Alpkit is hosting a free webinar called “Can Business Be A Force For Good” on 11 February at 11.30am. Come join us for what promises to be a provocative and interesting discussion with:

-   Rob Harrison, Ethical Consumer Magazine
-   Oli Pepper, Morvelo
-   David Hanney, Alpkit
-   Kate Sandle, B Corp UK

Register for the webinar here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2ji12dSYSUuvH9gIE7doOA

Find out more about Alpkits 2021 Sustainability Report:

News article:
https://alpkit.com/blogs/news/people-and-planet-before-profit

Online Report
https://alpkit.com/pages/sustainability-report-2021

[gme]

Thanks For the link Shark. I will be interested in that.

[Duma]

Just wish they had some baselayers in stock in normal sizes.

[Alex-the-Alex]

Great to read and well worth shouting about! If only to showcase that these models of business do work. I know people can be quite cynical about these sorts of efforts but at least it offers a solution to mass consumerism.. Cheers Shark.

[Falling Down]

Thanks For the link Shark. I will be interested in that.

GME, we’re going through B-Corp at work this year if you want to catch up on it.

[gme]

Would be good to Ben. Had a couple of conversations withthem already but good to speak to someone whos gone/going through the process.

[gme]

Great to read and well worth shouting about! If only to showcase that these models of business do work. I know people can be quite cynical about these sorts of efforts but at least it offers a solution to mass consumerism.. Cheers Shark.

The environmental part of it, in which mass consumerism sits, is the bit that gets shouted about and publicised, but its only one part of it and to be fair not the bit that interests me the most. A lot more to do with governance, people, communities and ethics. 

[Alex-the-Alex]

The environmental part of it, in which mass consumerism sits, is the bit that gets shouted about and publicised, but its only one part of it and to be fair not the bit that interests me the most. A lot more to do with governance, people, communities and ethics.

Yeah absolutely. But I don't think the two are separate. Fast fashion, cheaper tech goods, cheap luxury foods, they all have pretty severe environmental and social costs. Mass consumerisms been driving down standard's in both for years with no account for the costs. And if you drive down one you often drive down the other. On the other hand if I'm paying more for my alpkit trous that's going towards improving wages and living standards as well as environmental standards in the factories and supply chains. Less pollution, clearer sourcing of materials etc. Probs preaching to the converted here, but its changed my buying habits in the last few years.

[steveri]

One of my clients is 'B Corp Pending' and had a useful chat with Alpkit. They're doing https://www.b1g1.com/businessforgood/ too which looks good. Little microdonations for each bit of business they do.

[SA Chris]

Is this worth a separate thread about sustainability in outdoor suppliers in general?

For instance I'm reluctant to buy from Decathlon any more because of this;

https://www.change.org/p/decathlon-decathlon-must-stop-promoting-slaughter-of-songbirds?use_react=false

[Alex-the-Alex]

Yeah decathlon is a good example for outdoor gear... A few years ago I bought a pair of waterproof approach shoes for £15 from there. I now wonder what conditions they were produced in...

It would be interesting to hear which other companies are making an effort though?

Also what other certifications are out there? B Corp seems to come up fairly often but what others are there?

[shark]

Reminder that the webinar is tomorrow at 11.30