Author: David Gladish
There is no blueprint for exactly how sustainability works, no black and white answers, no playbook that is handed to us. At Gregory, the key to successfully having a major impact is to have a positive outlook. We are focused on measurable action, attainable steps towards having less impact and reducing our carbon footprint. We rely on three pillars of sustainability: What we Build, How we Build, and Why we Build. We make products that last longer, can be repaired and reused, and are built with the most responsible materials available. We make our products using skilled sewers who live in vibrant communities we want to look after. We make products to enlighten more people on the incredible benefits of discovering and experiencing the outdoors.
Repair It
Did you know we have a Lifetime Warranty? Of course, we do! But instead of simply replacing an old pack with a new one, you can quickly repair a pack that has been damaged with help from our customer service team.
LifeCycle Analysis
Through a partnership with an industry-leading lifecycle assessment firm, we developed custom software that helps us pinpoint where we can make the most difference and reduce overall impact. Gregory is very proud to be the first backpack brand to use an LCA to make our progress transparent. This lifecycle assessment tool calculates all materials and energy used to create, sew, and ship the finished product. One example is our Resin 28L pack, which has a 57% reduction in carbon footprint compared to a conventional nylon pack!
Transparency
Part of making sustainable changes to better our planet starts with being upfront about where we are making and reducing impact. That’s why we have created a sustainability scorecard for ourselves, to give tangible, meaningful numbers to how we are reducing our carbon footprint. Going forward, we will be measuring each Gregory compared to conventional nylon packs on six factors: Water Pollution, Smog Formation, Blue Water Consumption, Primary Energy Demand, Acidification, and overall Carbon Footprint reduction. By measuring our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment in real-life terms, we are encouraging consumers to think about each product they buy and how it affects the environment around them. We aim to inspire further action by highlighting how many miles it takes via walking, biking, or rideshare to offset the remaining carbon footprint on each pack.
Quality First
Creating less waste starts with building high-quality, long-lasting, and durable products. Enough with the use it and lose it mentality. We don’t build packs to last a season or two—we build them to provide you with a lifetime of enjoyment. So get outside, buy high-quality products, and stay positive, we can make a difference.