Take a look at the steps taken by the UK’s premier outdoor brand to change its product range and manufacturing process for the better.
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For many years since its modest founding in 1981, Rab has become known as one of the UK’s very best outdoor gear makers. Their products have helped countless adventurers conquer the harshest environments in every continent and they remain very popular and highly-regarded by the world’s best adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. As the the outdoor industry has grown and evolved, many companies have begun to change their product range and production processes in order to become as carbon conscious, environmentally friendly and ethical as possible. At the forefront of these companies is Rab. Today on the Taunton Leisure blog, we’re going to be exploring many of the ways that Rab have stepped up there game in this field to become one of the most consciously minded companies around. Let’s begin with a big one!
Rab is a climate-neutral company
Rab have a deep love and respect for the planet and through their business operations work to combat climate change, reduce waste and protect the environment. This is Rab’s second year as a climate-neutral organisation. They’re committed to become a Net Zero business by 2030. They’ll reduce all unnecessary carbon emissions from their business operations and offset anything left using carbon avoidance or nature based forestry projects. They’ll also drastically reduce their resource dependency along the way. Their partner, South Pole, verify their data and provide carbon credits to support projects that reduce or remove emissions.
Rab support projects that are meaningful to us, and will have a lasting social and climate benefit:
Nam Hong Hydropower | Vietnam
Provides clean energy to the national grid, as well as stimulating development in the surrounding remote rural communities, bringing tap water pipelines and improving local primary schools.
Efficient Cookstoves for Women | Nepal
Supporting some of Nepal’s most underserved communities, replacing traditional stoves with cleaner, energy efficient options. It also improves the health and living conditions of families, whilst empowering women.
Kariba Forest Protection | Zimbabwe
Protecting nearly 785,000 hectares of land from deforestation and degradation. This project prevents more than 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere each year.
As far as operations are concerned, all of Rab’s product deliveries to customers and stores are delivered by carbon-neutral delivery companies
Rab is using more and more recycled materials
Amongst Rab’s vast range of outdoor goods including clothing and sleeping bags, there is a large amount of materials which Rab have changed within the last few years to recycled alternatives which work just as well, if not better than before. This includes P.U.R.E recycled down which is high-quality, sustainable down that uses fewer resources and prevents usable down going to landfill. All of Rab’s vigin down is completely RDS certified, meaning that every step in their down sourcing is completely traceable and ensures zero extra cruelty to the birds who grow it as it is a bi-product of the meat industry. Other recycled materials used in Rab products include a recycled version of Primaloft, PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Luxe in their blown insulation jackets as well as Pertex (such as the Pertex Shield Revolve used in the Downpour Eco Jacket) and Gore-Tex waterproof membranes.
Rab are decreasing Fluorocarbons in their fabrics
DWR coatings are crucial to outdoor gear. They enhance performance and increase safety. But, they contain fluorocarbons that are harmful to the planet. There’s no real alternative yet, but Rab are working hard to find a replacement that performs at the high levels you expect from them.
Lowe Alpine (Rab’s sister company) moved over to fluorocarbon-free fabrics on the 1st November 2019. Rab have worked through most of their fabric stock, and now 98% of their products are fluorocarbon-free.
Rab want you to repair your kit instead of replacing it
You can trust a company which chooses a longer lifespan of a product over selling regular replacements at a profit. Rab say “why buy a replacement if you can repair the item you already have?”
It is true that it is far more environmentally conscious to repair your kit instead of buying a new product because of the environmental factors that come with everything new. Rab operate their very own repair centre run by a specialist team who for a small price will repair many forms of damage to your Rab products. This includes washing, repairing and replacing parts of the product such as broken zips and buttons.
Want to see our exciting range of Rab outdoor products?
