Who We Are – About Arc’teryx

Chapter 05: Sustainability

WHAT IS NEXT FOR US?

How do we continue to build gear while simultaneously protecting our backyard? Extreme durability and responsible resourcing can dramatically reduce our environmental impact.

Our philosophy is guided by the belief that durability is the strongest path to sustainability.

We start with a meticulous and mindful design process. Over decades of innovation, we have developed a toolkit to deliver durability and improve our environmental impacts.

Design

  • Fit for use
  • Durable performance
  • Repair and failure

Materials

  • Environmental impact
  • Sustainable chemistry
  • Ethical sourcing

Construction

  • Manufacturing techniques
  • Efficiency
  • Supply complexity

Manufacturing high performance outdoor gear is still a challenge for the environment. Why?

Because manufacturing today is based on a linear economy model with impacts across all stages of the product life cycle. Each stage has multiple challenges that impact our environment:

Energy Use

Global supply chains require large amounts of electricity and extensive transportation.

Waste

High-performance materials are often not recyclable.

Water Pollution

Making high-performance materials creates water pollution.

Climate Change

Emissions generated in manufacturing contribute to global warming.

Vision for the future

Design for a circular economy

Ultimately, we want to move from a linear production model to a circular economy. All materials and products are resources to be used in a repeated loop, rather than disposed.

One Alpha SV Jacket generates27.91kgof CO² across its lifecycle.

The annual CO² offset of one tree is22kg

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology that rigorously and objectively measures the impacts associated with designing, producing and using goods and services.

The Alpha SV Life Cycle Assessment evaluated 18 environmental impacts across all 8 lifecycle steps.

Select a lifecycle step of the Alpha SV Jacket:

Material ProductionOther Component ProductionJacket ManufacturingRetailTransport To CustomerDryingWashingDisposal

Analyzing each category in a LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) helps us understand exactly how our supply chain impacts the environment. The climate change category measures a carbon emissions footprint.

Sustainability: The Long Run

Arc'teryx's long-term thinking on environmental stewardship, responsible manufacturing and community engagement.