I’m sure we have all done our part hopping on board the eco movement—recycling, reusable bags, reusable water bottles, etc. But in light of the continuing issues our planet has been facing, it may be time to be a bit more conscientious about the products we consume.
What we buy and dispose of can affect the environment and our health in many ways, including air and water pollution. But thoughtless disposal of waste is not the only way we pollute with the products we buy. Products can impact our planet in many ways throughout their “life cycle,” for example how they are made, packaged, distributed, etc. “Green products” are those that pose less harm to human health of the environment compared to other products that serve the same purpose—they are “environmentally preferable” or environmentally sustainable.” Being thoughtful about choosing greener products helps protect human health and the environment.
New Moon LOVES the outdoors! We have based our lives on the ability to enjoy the environment and help others do the same, so it just seems natural that we try to work with products and companies that are “green” or are working on sustainability plans for the future. Here are a few of the companies we deal with who have been helping out the environment in myriad different ways.
Fischer Fischer has been making skis in Austria since 1924. Social, ecological, and economic sustainability has been a focus for Fischer for a while. “All buildings at the company headquarters in Ried im Innkreis are heated from the geothermal network. Fischer relies on biomass for ski production.
The waste management concept includes, in addition to the first step of waste avoidance, the part of recycling (plastic and aluminum/metal waste) and the thermal recycling of the remaining waste. All water from processes is fed into a circulation system and reused through internal cleaning. Other examples are sustainable lighting systems, speed-controlled motors in production plants and many more. In terms of social sustainability, Fischer places particular emphasis on health prevention, training and further education of employees and their safety.”
Swix
Swix is concerned with environmental awareness and social responsibility. They ensure good working conditions for their workers, support human rights, labor rights, the environment and development throughout the value chain. Through research, education, and implementation, Swix has become an environmental leader in the Nordic sports arena by using the most environmentally-friendly technology available.
Ulvang
Another company under the Swix umbrella, Ulvang, creates high quality Merino Wool pieces for training. When dealing with wool, a lot of questions come up about animal welfare. At Ulvang, nothing is more important than the animals on whom they depend.“We work exclusively with farmers that take animal welfare seriously… Animal welfare in farming doesn’t just mean protecting animals from abuse, but also to arrange for the animals’ welfare and natural way of living.” Their sheep roam freely over large areas with access to shelters and comfortable resting areas, have ready access to freshwater and healthy diet, and are not subjected to the cruel and unnecessary practice of mulesing during sheering.
Seger
Seger is a Swedish knit company that has been in business for over 70 years. Since 2017, their factory has been operating with green wind power. Part of their sustainability initiative is using the cleanest products possible—so clean, you can eat them! The same oil they use to lubricate their knitting machinery can be used to cook with—that’s putting their money where their mouth is!
Even though they are forward-thinking, heritage is very important to their company, so they not only look to the past for design ideas, they also knit their new creations with old yarn. “Yarn has no best-before date. So our caps get the exact look and feel that we want—the right shades and sensations. This also means that we can save resources. We need not buy new, because the old is just as good.”
These companies’ strategies are just examples of some of the things those in the Nordic community are doing to help the earth. With a little research, we, as retailers, and you, as consumers, can have a larger impact on the state of the planet than we might think. We all have to start somewhere (water bottle, anyone?), and every little bit helps. Options are out there. Support those who align with your beliefs and your love of the planet we live on.
If you’d also like tips on how to be an eco-friendly (-ier) skier, this article from snorkelstosnow.com has a bunch of tips that will be helpful even if you’re not an alpine enthusiast. Let’s take care of the planet we love!
