Innovative Black Diamond Equipment and UL Solutions push boundaries in recycled aluminum use, elevating the manufacturing of climbing gear and trekking poles to new environmental standards.
In a groundbreaking move, Black Diamond Equipment®, a global leader in climbing, skiing, and mountain sports apparel and equipment, has demonstrated a new standard for sustainability in the outdoor industry. The company has announced a series of initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and achieving circularity and sustainability by 2030.
Black Diamond's commitment to sustainability does not compromise its high standards for product quality, strength, and durability. This is evident in its trekking poles, which maintain their robustness despite being made with 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminum. The Trail, Trail Cork, and Trail Back Trekking Poles, as well as Pursuit FLZ, Distance FLZ, and Distance Z Trekking Poles, all fall under this category.
Neil Fiske, President of Black Diamond Equipment, emphasizes that replacing raw material with recycled material wherever possible plays a large role in shrinking the company's carbon footprint. Fiske also notes that the work with UL Solutions is a critical step in reducing the company's reliance on virgin materials and lowering its carbon footprint.
UL Solutions has validated the amount of recycled aluminum content in Black Diamond trekking poles, one of the company's largest hardgoods categories. The company's aluminum-based hardgoods, including carabiners and trekking poles, currently make up approximately 10% of its total carbon footprint from raw materials. By integrating recycled aluminum into these products, Black Diamond reduces its annual consumption of virgin aluminum by approximately 88 tons.
Black Diamond's sustainability efforts also include taking incremental steps towards circularity in hardgoods manufacturing. The company is extending product lifespans by designing its trekking poles to be more easily repairable. Products featuring the UL Solutions Environmental Claim Validation Mark will begin reaching consumers in early 2025.
Black Diamond's goal is to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% and ensure that 50% of its products are made from preferred materials by 2030. Beyond environmental goals, Black Diamond aims to innovate gear and increase access to outdoor activities for diverse populations, integrating social sustainability with environmental efforts.
The company's sustainability claims are independently validated by UL Solutions, meeting the highest industry standards. Neil Fiske, President of Black Diamond Equipment, states that this is just the beginning of Black Diamond's efforts to push the boundaries of sustainability in the outdoor industry and inspire others to follow suit.
Black Diamond's initiative demonstrates a new standard for sustainability in the outdoor industry, setting a benchmark for other companies to follow. The company's annual impact reports provide the most comprehensive and updated roadmap towards their 2030 sustainability ambitions, outlining progress and detailed plans, showing clear pathways toward their sustainability targets, including carbon reduction, circularity, and social inclusion. The #MinimizeYourImpact initiative encourages the outdoor community to adopt sustainable practices, fostering awareness and participation in reducing environmental impact.
[1] Black Diamond Equipment. (2022). Black Diamond Releases 2021 Impact Report. Retrieved from https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/us/en/news/black-diamond-releases-2021-impact-report
[2] Black Diamond Equipment. (2022). Black Diamond Announces 2030 Sustainability Goals. Retrieved from https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/us/en/news/black-diamond-announces-2030-sustainability-goals
[3] Black Diamond Equipment. (2022). Black Diamond Launches #MinimizeYourImpact Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/us/en/news/black-diamond-launches-minimizeyourimpact-initiative
- In the outdoor industry, Black Diamond Equipment® is setting a new standard for sustainability, as demonstrated by their goal to reduce their carbon footprint by 50% and ensure that 50% of their products are made from preferred materials by 2030.
- To achieve this, Black Diamond is taking incremental steps towards circularity in hardgoods manufacturing, such as designing trekking poles to be more easily repairable, and integrating recycled materials like recycled aluminum into their products.
- By doing so, Black Diamond reduces its annual consumption of virgin aluminum by approximately 88 tons, which currently makes up approximately 10% of its total carbon footprint from raw materials.
- Neil Fiske, President of Black Diamond Equipment, notes that this work with UL Solutions is a critical step in reducing the company's reliance on virgin materials and lowering its carbon footprint.
- Black Diamond's sustainability efforts extend beyond environmental goals, aiming to innovate gear and increase access to outdoor activities for diverse populations, integrating social sustainability with environmental efforts.
