Press

PRESS RELEASE - 12:00 Fri 14th December 2007

OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT GOES GREEN?

New UK based company Green are aiming to be a force for change in the outdoor industry with their range of eco-friendly products launching at Canoe Expo in February 2008. The range includes tents, tipis, tarps and shelters all made using the most environmentally sound materials and methods currently available.

The founding principle of Green is that to those who love the outdoors it’s a tragic irony that the equipment used to enjoy it to the full is often manufactured and supplied in ways that are so damaging to the environment.

Unfortunately, in a world driven by consumer demand for low cost, high performance products, global, high volume brands are focussed on the cheapest or most technical solutions with little or no consideration for their environmental impact, merely the bottom line. As a result, the majority of materials currently used in the manufacture of outdoor equipment are in some way damaging to the environment.

Green, formed in 2007, are on a mission to change this. Their aim is to deliver high quality outdoor products in the most sustainable and environmentally responsible way possible. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick or a line extension, Green are committed to incorporating environmentally friendly methods in all of their products, not only to prove to the industry it can be done, but also that outdoor loving consumers will support and demand it.

Canoe Expo 2008 sees the launch of tents, tipis, tarps and shelters, based upon traditional designs, such as the Bill Mason campfire tent and canoe shelters but updated to meet the needs of the modern explorer. All models maximise their use of renewable or recycled materials and Green will also offer incentives to customers who return their products at the end of their useful life so the materials can be reused and recycled in the most efficient way.

The founders of the company say “We want to prove that the outdoor community can accommodate wholly green focussed manufacturing rather than solely profit focussed manufacturing. There are some good examples of green business and efforts towards the environment, but still not enough. Our methods take this further, from materials, to local manufacturing, it impacts every area of our business and it’s our desire to prove it is long overdue and can work.”

Business is one of the most powerful forces for social change. Green are hoping to capture consumer hearts with their combination of ethical business and eco-sound products to inspire a change for the better across the outdoor industry. It marks a turning point for manufacturers and consumers alike.

Will they succeed? It’s too early to say. The company is philosophical: “Companies can only be as green as their consumers, but we’re confident there is a real shifting of mainstream attitude and even more so, this is true of outdoor enthusiasts. Those with an affinity for the outdoors naturally tend to be more in tune with the environment. We can all see it in action and it’s becoming more prevalent, whether it be organic food in the supermarket or your neighbour’s hybrid car. At the end of the day, our customers will decide, we’re sure Green is here to stay.

ENDS.