Outdoor Industry
Climbing at Lemon Reservoir. Photo by William Berger
The outdoor industry focuses on getting people outdoors and experiencing life to its fullest. In doing so, more and more people are getting outside and using more gear. This not only takes a toll on land use but also on the impacts of production. Therefore, companies strive to find ways they can become more sustainable.
Edelrid
Edelrid, the German climbing company is making strides towards sustainability within the climbing industry. Though many companies make long lasting and durable products, Edelrid focuses on building products with sustainability in mind. In 2009 Edelrid became partners with Bluesign Systems to manufacture their climbing ropes and textiles with purpose. This means they track the flow of their materials from the factory floor to the finished product, making improvements in sustainability along the way.
In 2010, Edelrid added photovoltaics to their production facility in Germany. In 2014, they joined the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA). Working with EOCA they are able to help fund conservation projects throughout Europe.
In 2016, Edelrid designed their first rope made of leftover yarn from their production cycle, coined as a Bluesign product. Several companies discard their leftover rope. Edelrid has found a way to breakdown their leftover yarn and repurpose it to build unique ropes.
Climbing at Cascade Creek. Edelrid Rope. Photo by William Berger
Year to year, Edelrid takes strides forward in making more sustainable products. One of the most influential business move they have made is re-implementing steel into their climbing equipment. Primarily focusing on extending the lifespan of all their products. In 2017 Edelrid implemented stainless steal into their carabiners, belay devices, and pulleys. As weight paramount in climbing and mountaineering Edelrid didn’t want to make the entire product line steel. This is why they focused steel in high friction areas to help extend the lifespan of the gear they make it more sustainable.
Climbing at Penitente Canyon. Photo by William Berger
Edelrid Carabiners
All the climbing equipment Edelrid makes stands out on its own, but when combined together, Edlrid equipment is the king of sustainable climbing. If you can shift every carabiner you own to Edelrid’s stainless steal design, not only are lengthening the life of your carabiner but extending the life of a your rope and eliminating aluminum oxide on your rope. Combine Edelrid carabiners with an Edelrid stainless steal belay device further strengthens sustainability practices. Edelrid makes the GigaJul and MegaJul, an auto locking, stainless steal, belay device comparable and arguably better than Petzl’s Grigri. Adding an Edelrid rope or harness to your quiver, you are helping reuse excess materials and eliminating waste from the front line of production.
Stop by the shop and check out what we offer from Edlrid to help make your climbing gear more sustainable.