Arc'teryx Launches Ambitious Plan for Fully Recyclable Gear

In an era where many brands are retreating from sustainability promises, Arc'teryx stands firm with a bold commitment to redesign its entire product line for recyclability. The Vancouver-based outdoor brand, known for its mountaineering gear, has unveiled its ambitious circularity initiative named System 0, introducing the Sperro SV—a hard shell jacket designed to be fully recyclable.

CEO Stuart Haselden emphasizes that the company aims to solve practical problems for mountain athletes while seamlessly integrating sustainability into their products. "If we can solve problems for people who don’t even care about circularity, and just want a great jacket, then we can disrupt the industry," Haselden stated, highlighting the brand's dual focus on performance and environmental responsibility.

The genesis of this initiative stems from a deep-rooted connection with the climbing community, where the ethos of leaving nature untouched resonates. This commitment has evolved as climate change increasingly impacts mountain environments, prompting the brand to take more substantial action. Alexandra Plante, VP of advanced concepts, recalls a chilling warning from a glaciologist during a recent trip to Chamonix about the potential disappearance of permanent snow in the area.

Arc'teryx’s proactive approach is mirrored by the expectations of its sponsored athletes, many of whom are advocating for accountability within the fashion industry. Renowned climber Ashima Shiraishi, for instance, has opted for preowned gear only, while extreme skier Greg Hill has altered his expedition logistics to reduce his carbon footprint. Plante acknowledges, "These impacts are real, and our responsibility to stay on this problem and think of a business model transformation is more important than ever."

Creating the Sperro SV was no small feat; it was chosen as a test case because of its complexity and necessity for safety in mountain conditions. The design team faced challenges in ensuring the jacket met rigorous safety standards while also being easy to disassemble for recycling. After years of collaboration with technical partners like Gore-Tex, they developed a specialized nylon that is both durable and repairable. When the jacket reaches its end of life, components such as zippers are removed, allowing the main fabric to undergo a chemical regeneration process, transforming it back into new nylon.

Arc'teryx's scale and existing market position provide it an advantage that smaller startups often lack. With a diverse direct-to-consumer sales model contributing to 75% of revenue and a robust network of over 200 retail stores—including care and repair centers—Arc'teryx is well-equipped to facilitate product returns and recycling. Customers can trade in used gear for credits toward new purchases, promoting a circular economy.

Despite this innovative approach, Haselden does not anticipate that consumers will choose the Sperro SV solely out of environmental concern. Instead, he believes the jacket’s design and performance will drive sales. As many brands cut back on sustainability efforts due to cost, Arc'teryx aspires to set a precedent that high-performance outdoor gear can be both effective and environmentally friendly, aiming to inspire the industry as a whole to embrace similar values. "This is not an Arc'teryx problem; this is an industry-wide problem," Plante concludes, signaling that their journey is just beginning.

Source: www.fastcompany.com