"Our commitment to used gear is part of our broader effort to offer affordable, sustainable gear to our customers," said Peter Whitcomb, REI director of new business development. "Swapping gear is a fun way for our members to connect, get the gear they need, and sell or trade what they no longer use – all while helping to keep products out of the landfill."
The events are free and open to REI members and one guest. Individuals looking to sell gear do not need to be an REI member, but are asked to pay a $20 fee for table space. Event proceeds will be donated to a local outdoor nonprofit in each city. Learn more here.
In an effort to keep gently used gear out of landfills, the co-op has sold lightly used product (returned under its 100 percent satisfaction guarantee policy) for years at in-store Garage Sales. REI also launched a used gear website in October 2017, and in August, extended the online platform to offer new brands and more product categories. Used gear swaps are a continuation of this effort. While REI will not be selling any products onsite, the co-op is providing a platform for the outdoor community to sell and trade their pre-loved items to one another.
REI is committed to providing customers with quality outdoor gear, made sustainably and designed to last. In April, REI unveiled a set of comprehensive product sustainability standards, ensuring new products purchased at REI have a lower environmental and social footprint. The co-op also outlined a set of preferred sustainability attributes to highlight for customers products with leading sustainability features like bluesign, Fair Trade Certified and responsibly sourced down. Learn more about REI's broader sustainability efforts at REI.com/stewardship.
Circularity by Design: How to Influence Sustainable Consumer Behaviors
Join us Thursday, December 5, at 1pm ET for a free webinar on making circular behaviors the easy choice! Nudge & behavioral design expert Sille Krukow will explore the power of Consumer Behavior Design to drive circular decision-making and encourage behaviors including recycling and using take-back services. She will share key insights on consumer psychology, behavior design related to in-store and on-pack experiences, and how small changes in the environment can help make it easy for consumers to choose circularity.
Used gear swap locations – events begin at 10 a.m. local time:
- Arcadia, California
- Bloomington, Minnesota
- Chandler, Arizona
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Columbia, Maryland
- Greenwood Village, Colorado
- Madison, Wisconsin
- San Diego, California
- Saratoga, California
- Tualatin, Oregon
- West Hartford, Connecticut
More ways to find used and sustainably produced gear:
- Visit REI.com/used to shop gently loved gear and apparel.
- Sort and filter products by sustainability feature at REI.com, including bluesign, Fair Trade Certified and responsibly sourced down.
- Attend an in-person, members-only Garage Sale at REI stores.
- Shop The Renewal Workshop online or at REI Seattle. The Renewal Workshop takes discarded textiles and apparel and turns them into new garments.
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Sustainable Brands Staff
Published Oct 18, 2018 12pm EDT / 9am PDT / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST