Outdoor Retailer will be launching a new program designed to highlight manufacturers who are taking active steps towards making the outdoor industry more eco-friendly. The new Green Steps program is designed to raise awareness on sustainability and showcase companies within the outdoor industry that support and encourage a healthy environment. OR will offer handbook highlights, enhanced online exposure and aisle carpet overlays all of which identify a company as taking Green Steps beginning at the 2005 Winter Market.
BOSS contacted several industry leaders in environmental initiatives, most of who were impressed with the new program, and committed to participating.
Chas Fisher, GM of Nikwax told BOSS that one of the underlying principles of his company is to produce environmentally sound products. “So, in essence, the whole company is an environmental initiative,” he said. “Even if all of this attention only brings out a lot of green marketing initiatives, its better than no attention at all. Its a great way to boost consumer and industry awareness of the companies who participate.”
“The environment in which we live is integral to the health of the business of the outdoors and companies that are committed to helping sustain that health should be called out. By highlighting outdoor companies that currently take “Green Steps”, we are helping to emphasize the importance of building a greener marketplace,” said Peter Devin, Trade Show Director for Outdoor Retailer.
