Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
Subscription Form

Get notified of the best News

Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
22K Followers
25K Likes
5K Followers
1K Followers
Mountain Life
Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
  • The Great Outdoors

Give More Than You Take: The Burton Sustainability Report Is Out

  • June 24, 2019
  • Ben Osborne
Total
53
Shares
53
0
0
0
0
0
Total
53
Shares
Share 53
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

words:: Dre Turner

Group WhistlerDeepWinter JesseDawson 1297
Protecting places like this is a priority for Burton—a refreshing take. Photo: Jesse Lynn Dawson

Innovation is at the core of everything Burton does – from the earliest days of establishing the sport of snowboarding through decades of creating the best possible products for it – it’s inherently part of their DNA, including their approach to sustainability. A couple of years back the team at Burton created an impressive set of sustainability benchmarks to meet by 2020, and we’re checking in to see if they’re on track to reaching these goals.

In terms of protecting our playground they are keyed in on action and advocacy, living the ethos of giving more than you take. By 2020 they aim to divert 75% of their waste from the landfill at global headquarters, and in the name of reducing, reusing, and recycling (and composting) they are at 59% completion – engaging their employees and visitors alike to act responsibly.

Some of their goals have more visible impacts, like the state of affairs in their factories, headquarters, and events. For example, Burton is striving toward 100% Fair Labor Association compliance in their factories by 2020. Meaning every single person working in a Burton factory is doing so in the safest, healthiest, and most environmentally friendly conditions. Today, they are at 81%, and in great shape to hit that 100% mark by the end of 2020.

Another highly visible goal – to make the Burton US Open carbon neutral – was already achieved in 2017, and they are currently 80% of their way to making the event zero waste. Think about how powerful that message is to every person that interacts with the event. And an especially exciting goal from a consumer standpoint is making 100% recyclable and compostable retail packaging, which they are just shy of halfway to achieving, sitting at 49% progress. They also set the goal of 80% recycled content packaging, which they are at 44% progress on.

Screen Shot 2019 06 18 at 2.16.51 PM 2
Bluesign, the global standard in sustainable sourcing.

Equally important are the less visible environmental impacts – like the regulations around what chemicals and materials are used in the production of their softgoods, hardgoods, and the carbon footprints of the business overall. A major landmark is to make 100% of softgoods bluesign® approved, which they are 40% of the way towards achieving. Another is to use 100% sustainable cotton, which they are currently at 58% progress on. And to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and plastics by using 50% recycled polyester, which today they are at 18% progress and have created some special product to support this specific goal. As they say, one person’s trash is another’s t-shirt, fleece, or beanie.

The creation of much of the outdoor recreation gear we buy today is often made at a cost to the environment, but not always in an obvious way like packaging or recyclability. A common high-impact factor is water repellency, and Burton set out to find a safer alternative for their durable water repellent items. Aiming for 100% PFC-free DWR, they currently are 27% closer to this goal for their gloves, outerwear and bags.

Burton also set out to reduce carbon emissions by 20% in the production of hardgoods, which is a big deal in terms of producing a high-performing piece of equipment – equipment that is often essential to basic safety in the mountains. Today they sit at -3% on this goal, some categories prove more challenging than others, but the product development team continues to work towards this goal without compromising on technical performance. A challenge they are rising to meet is the goal to repair at least 40% of all warranty claims, which they are currently over halfway toward achieving, sitting at about 22% and demonstrating durability through repair and decreasing product waste.

18F BurtonBlog LifetimeWarranty2.width 990 copy
To Burton, a lifetime warranty means more than just replacing every product brought back to them.

Another challenging goal – a 20% CO2 reduction at global headquarters – is unfortunately at -22% in terms of measured progress. But the process of reducing their footprint with energy efficiency and renewables requires upgrading the existing infrastructure to further reduce energy use. One could liken it to the process of getting in shape to lose weight – you’ll gain a little weight at first as you build up some muscle mass, but then your body is equipped to be more efficient and you will soon start to lean out. Essentially, it’s the long game and this is one of the necessary measures to achieving a smaller carbon footprint in the future.

One of the most important byproducts of Burton’s sustainability initiatives is their influence. Using their momentum to set an example and speak out on policy as a means to help protect the environment. The fact that they are still privately owned allows for a more assertive approach to taking a stand and working to influence at a governmental level, which is something they are already actively in the work of. They view sustainability as a group effort – holding space with heavy hitters from both the snow industry and others, combining forces to increase influence and raise awareness.

According to Jenn Swain, Global Senior Sustainability Manager, “Success is to maximize positive social impact while minimizing the negative environmental impact in our manufacturing process.” This holistic view of sustainability, not simply reducing emissions or compostable packaging, is part of what keeps Burton leading the pack both in the industry and across others. The innovative nature that is so core to their brand ethos, the focus on people and culture, it all strengthens the resolve and amplifies the voice we need in the world.

“To protect the playground and the people that sustain our sport means redefining progression.” This statement came from a post on the Burton blog and couldn’t be more apt. They know that if they don’t start making change happen the snowy playground that they love (and that their industry relies on) may not be around much longer. And then who will be buying snowboards? While setting the pace for the global sustainability movement, influencing change and raising awareness, the team at Burton continues to put out exceptional products that allow us to get out there, experience the epic pow days, and be a little bit gentler to the planet while we’re at it.—ML

Total
53
Shares
Share 53
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Ben Osborne

Previous Article
  • THE GEAR SHED

Massive Mileage: Salomon Sense Ride 2

  • June 22, 2019
  • Ned Morgan
View Post
Next Article
  • Features

Massif Envy: Scaling The World’s “Biggest” Mountain

  • June 25, 2019
  • Ben Osborne
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • On The Trail
  • The Great Outdoors

Helly Hansen Presents: Adventure Planning 101 with Squamish SAR

  • Sarah Bulford
  • May 16, 2022
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • The Great Outdoors

Blower Pow and Disappearing Pants

  • Sarah Bulford
  • April 26, 2022
View Post
  • In This Issue
  • The Great Outdoors

ML Launches Mushroom Life

  • Sarah Bulford
  • April 1, 2022
View Post
  • Leslie Anthony
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Stay & Play
  • The Great Outdoors

Spring at Sun Peaks

  • Sarah Bulford
  • March 8, 2022
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer
  • The Great Outdoors

Backcountry Skier John Baldwin Headlines VIMFF’s 2022 Best of British Columbia Night

  • Sarah Bulford
  • February 22, 2022
View Post
  • FALL GEAR
  • SPRING GEAR
  • THE GEAR SHED
  • The Great Outdoors
  • WINTER GEAR

The Legend of San Poncho

  • Editor
  • December 9, 2021
735990496 1280x720
View Post
  • The Great Outdoors
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Island of Plenty

  • Sarah Bulford
  • July 2, 2021
View Post
  • On The Trail
  • The Great Outdoors

Win Adventures to the Filming Location of the HISTORY® Channel’s “Alone” Season 8!

  • Sarah Bulford
  • June 8, 2021
Featured Posts
  • Life-Time-Grand-Prix-gravel-bike 1
    New Docuseries Profiles the World’s Elite Off-Road Cyclists
    • January 30, 2023
  • Fjallraven-Nuuk-Parka-daniel-blom-photo_jacket 2
    Gear Shed: Multisport Winter Roundup
    • January 26, 2023
  • Brian-Hockenstein-surfing-Iceland-water-and-ice-ML 3
    In the Land of Water & Ice
    • January 24, 2023
  • L'Hymne-des-Trembles-Laurentians-Quebec 4
    L’Hymne des Trembles: Uncompromising Laurentian Skiing
    • January 27, 2023
  • Marie-Pier-Desharnais-A-Womans-Experience-on-K2-flag-crop 5
    Marie-Pier Desharnais: A Woman’s Experience on K2
    • January 23, 2023
RECENT POSTS
  • Wachs_Fairly-Mellow
    Friday Flick: “Fairly Mellow” at Fairy Meadow Hut
    • January 20, 2023
  • Paul-Manning-Hunter-Kananaskis-River-surf
    Behind the Photo: Rockies Edition
    • January 19, 2023
  • knorthphotography.Beverly-Glenn Copeland-crop
    Beverly Glenn-Copeland: Finding the Universal Broadcast
    • January 17, 2023
Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
INSTAGRAM
mountainlifemedia
22K Followers
Winter commute with #mountainlifer @michelle_pittam ❄️🚵‍♀️🌲
@lhymnedestrembles.ca is no mirage. Set in the lush Laurentian forest, yet easily accessible (less than an hour and a half from Montreal), this luxurious ski-in ski-out residential resort by @groupebrivia is nestled at the foot of the Versant Soleil side of Mont Tremblant. The Tremblant region is a perennial destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, and within the province, attracting 3.5 million visitors annually.
ML staff and gear partners highlight the latest jackets, boards, crampons, hoodies, insoles and bindings in alpha order. #Linkinbio to learn more!
Adventures like this one require an inspiring team. @timemmett is a longtime friend, adventure partner and extraordinary human; an explorer, pro climber, surfer, freediver—you name it. @luca.freediver is an incredibly talented freediver, fresh off breaking the Canadian national freediving record (85 metres). The fourth man on the team, @brianhockenstein, is a filmmaker and multi-talented snowboarder always ready to jump into the fray and capture the magic. - words Jimmy Martinello. #Linkinbio to learn more!
We came in search of the connection of the human spirit to both art and adventure, whether climbing from the depths of moulins and ice caves, breaking through ice while paddleboarding fjords, climbing icebergs, freediving between tectonic plates or surfing cold waves.
A thousand and one things could have gone wrong, but she made it to the top:  @mariepier.desharnais is the first Quebecois woman to climb K2.
Mountain Life is a proud member of the @printreleaf_ community. So far we've offset our print by having 1,737 trees reforested since joining in 2019! 🌲
GUESS WHAT! It's FRIDAY! Here's a flick to kick off the weekend for all you warriors.
Behind the scenes of three action photos from ML’s Rocky Mountains edition.
The @banffmountainfestival 2023 Signature Image Search is on🚨
Follow

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Winter commute with #mountainlifer @michelle_pittam ❄️🚵‍♀️🌲
@lhymnedestrembles.ca is no mirage. Set in the lush Laurentian forest, yet easily accessible (less than an hour and a half from Montreal), this luxurious ski-in ski-out residential resort by @groupebrivia is nestled at the foot of the Versant Soleil side of Mont Tremblant. The Tremblant region is a perennial destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, and within the province, attracting 3.5 million visitors annually.
ML staff and gear partners highlight the latest jackets, boards, crampons, hoodies, insoles and bindings in alpha order. #Linkinbio to learn more!
Adventures like this one require an inspiring team. @timemmett is a longtime friend, adventure partner and extraordinary human; an explorer, pro climber, surfer, freediver—you name it. @luca.freediver is an incredibly talented freediver, fresh off breaking the Canadian national freediving record (85 metres). The fourth man on the team, @brianhockenstein, is a filmmaker and multi-talented snowboarder always ready to jump into the fray and capture the magic. - words Jimmy Martinello. #Linkinbio to learn more!
We came in search of the connection of the human spirit to both art and adventure, whether climbing from the depths of moulins and ice caves, breaking through ice while paddleboarding fjords, climbing icebergs, freediving between tectonic plates or surfing cold waves.
A thousand and one things could have gone wrong, but she made it to the top:  @mariepier.desharnais is the first Quebecois woman to climb K2.
Mountain Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising

Input your search keywords and press Enter.