#OptOutside For a Healthier You & the Planet

Now in its 5th year, REI’s #OptOutside campaign has gone beyond the crazy idea of closing its stores on #BlackFriday and encouraging employees and customers to explore the outdoors instead of going shopping. Not participating in Black Friday while paying its 13,000 employees for the day certainly hasn’t hurt the outdoor equipment retailer.

The member-owned co-operative - with 158 stores in 37 states - has posted record revenues for 15 straight years and increased its membership to 18 million loyal customers as of the end of 2018. Members have received a total of $204 million in dividends and card rewards. REI has also donated $8.4 million to 431 non-profits, many of which support local communities and our environment.

Recently, REI has taken its #OptOutside campaign to a new level by:

·      Achieving a recycling rate of 76% in its retail stores, headquarters and distribution centers, with the goal of becoming zero waste by the end of 2020

·      Challenging the outdoor industry to eliminate unneeded packaging such as individual polybags for apparel

·      Partnering with Subaru of America to help members recycle hard-to-recycle items such as bike tubes, tents and yoga mats

·      Being a leader in the Circular Economy by expanding its gear rental and used gear sales to make outdoor activities like camping more affordable and to reduce the amount of new gear that needs to be produced

·      Introducing its Opt to Act Plan, 52 weeks of simple actions to reduce impact, get active and leave the world a better place

Speaking of spending time in natural outdoor environments - not just walking from your car to the shopping mall - multiple studies have shown a number of positive health benefits of spending time outdoors including: 

·      Higher levels of creativity

·      Lower anxiety, more positive emotions

·      Reduced stress levels

·      Lower blood pressure

So stay out of that crowded shopping mall, put down your mobile device and get outside! You’ll be happier and healthier for it! 

Mark Frieden is the principal of Crossbow Strategies, a sustainability and CSR consultancy based in Maryland.

#CSR #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #Recycling #Health #Outdoors #Fitness