END was born out of idea that better design through problem solving is the next step in making greener gear for the outdoor athlete. We will not just replace toxic or virgin materials with sustainable ones, our evolutionary design process, Co2ND, will begin at the design table. Here we will question every seam, every stitch, every material and every step in the manufacturing process…we will question everything in our quest to minimize the footprint of our products prior to manufacturing.
Once a problem is solved and a new design born, we will incorporate sustainable materials that can withstand the rigor our outdoor athletes require whenever possible. We will then work with our factory partners to make their manufacturing process greener by simplifying the construction process and reducing complex parts. Environmentally Neutral Design is our charter…it is unfortunately not the starting point in today’s market. In those instances where we can’t find or use sustainable materials in a stitch, seam or yard of fabric due to cost, availability or durability, we will be transparent in disclosing this fact to our athletes. We will measure our success by seasons, by being able to say we have increased the percentage of sustainable materials used in our products while decreasing the amount of materials actually needed to make them.
The day will come when we are creating and manufacturing 100% Environmentally Neutral Designs, products that we can tell you to throw into your compost pile when used up. That will be a good day for all of us, a day we can then say we have reached END.