Global design company, Arc’teryx Equipment, a business specializing in technical, high-performance equipment and apparel, has announced the launch of their innovative new program — the Arc’teryx ReBird — a site that houses all of the brand’s sustainability and circularity initiatives in one place. The company describes it as a hub for efforts relating to upcycling, resale, care, and repair, all of which are integral parts of its broader goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and embrace 100% renewable energy. Katie Wilson, Arc’teryx Senior Manager Social & Environmental Sustainability said the following about the new program: “At Arc’teryx we have always built products that last, and durability is crucial to how we see ourselves contributing to a more circular economy and achieving our global climate goals.”
To achieve these goals, Arc’teryx is offering three main avenues for “transforming waste into possibility.” The first is its Used Gear Program, launched in 2019, but now located within ReBird. Shoppers in Canada and the United States can trade in old gear for store credit. The program has been a success since its inception. Any old pieces that cannot be repaired and re-warrantied by the company are reworked by designers into new upcycled items that constitute the second part of ReBird—its line of products made from post-consumer materials, as well as end-of-the-roll fabrics that cannot be used otherwise. The current lineup of upcycled items includes a windshell, a tote bag, and a zippered pouch, but these will evolve depending on available materials. The third avenue ReBird offers is care and repair tips for all Arc’teryx products, in hopes that people will take steps to prolong the lifespan of their outdoor gear. It contains detailed information on why, when, and how to wash GORE-TEX products and how to care for a broad range of other items, from fleece to footwear to packs.
For information on another eco-conscious endeavor, check out Pela’s Lomi.