Outdoor Industry Association Partners with Climate Neutral to Accelerate Carbon Measurement

OIA members now have expanded, discounted access to tools that allow them to easily measure their carbon emissions

 

BOULDER, CO [March 28, 2023] — Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is proud to announce its latest partnership with Climate Neutral to make it easier for OIA members to measure their carbon emissions. By partnering with Climate Neutral, OIA is demonstrating its commitment to supporting sustainability in the outdoor industry and providing its members with the tools and resources they need to make a positive impact on the environment.

OIA members can now receive a 25% discount for use of Climate Neutral’s Brand Emissions Estimator (BEE), enabling brands to measure their Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is the critical first step to setting emissions reduction targets. Climate Neutral prioritizes ease of use and a high integrity carbon measurement approach that can be adopted by companies at any step of their climate journeys. The BEE is a valuable tool that can help businesses visualize their carbon emissions and identify areas where they can take future reduction actions.

“Since Climate Neutral’s 2019 launch, we have enjoyed a close connection to the vision, brands, and individuals in the outdoor community,” said Austin Whitman, CEO of Climate Neutral. “Climate change directly affects everyone’s outdoor experience. Our expanded collaboration with OIA is an exciting way to combine our strengths and get more companies past the hurdles to climate action, and then make climate leadership more visible to consumers.”

This partnership supports both Climate Neutral’s mission to eliminate GHG emissions and OIA’s goal of making the outdoor industry climate positive by 2030. In the long run, the use of the BEE tool and achievement of Climate Neutral certification by a significant number of OIA members offers a tangible milestone on the pathway towards OIA’s industry goal of becoming climate positive by 2030.

“OIA in partnership with Climate Neutral is proud to offer the BEE tool as an added membership benefit. We see this as a highly valuable stepping stone for OIA’s Climate Action Corps to reach our 2030 goal of making the outdoor industry climate positive,” said Sarah Rykal, senior manager of OIA’s Climate Action Corps. “The BEE tool offers outdoor industry companies a user-friendly tool to measure their emissions at a low cost of entry, particularly for companies who are beginning their sustainability journey.”

 

About the Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all.  For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org

 

About Climate Neutral

A 501(c)3 nonprofit, Climate Neutral leads a global movement of individuals and companies to eliminate carbon emissions. Our label, Climate Neutral Certified, is a trusted, independent standard for climate neutrality. It empowers consumers to find brands that are leading on immediate climate action. All companies that get certified must reduce and compensate for their emissions from making and delivering all of their products and services. Climate Neutral works with over 400 companies and their label can be found on millions of products worldwide. Join us at climateneutral.org

 

Noble Biomaterials’ Ionic+ Botanical Technology Receives EPA Registration

Noble Biomaterials, a global leader in antimicrobial solutions for soft surface applications, announced its latest antimicrobial technology has received official EPA registration.

Ionic+® Botanical uses a bio-based registered citric acid formula to inhibit the growth of microbes and reduce odor on fabric and other soft surfaces. Noble Biomaterials began development of the proprietary Ionic+® Botanical formula in 2021 and filed for EPA registration as part of the development process. Registering the citric acid-based active formula allows Noble’s licensed partners to claim antimicrobial benefits such as “odor control” and surface protection for various performance fabric applications.

Citric Acid is one of the most commonly used ingredients in food and beverage products, pharmaceutical and dietary products, and cleaning agents.  The registration of Noble’s citric formula introduces this commonly used product into a whole new arena – the protection of textiles and other everyday manufactured materials.  Noble has seen the growing interest in plant-based solutions and recognizes that the Ionic+® Botanical technology can be an important step in meeting the demand for high performance, sustainable material preservation solutions.      

“Sometimes innovative solutions are staring you right in the face,” said Joel Furey, founder and chief commercial officer at Noble Biomaterials. “Citric Acid is used for so many things in our everyday lives and during the pandemic we noticed how much citric was used as an antimicrobial and disinfectant agent in various consumer products.  This led us to explore its use in fabric applications.  After significant research and development, we were able to engineer a novel approach that was both an effective and durable solution for the antimicrobial protection of textiles and other materials. Our product team deserves tremendous credit for bringing Ionic+ Botanical to market so quickly.” 

Receiving an EPA registration is a big step in the process of advancing Noble’s Ionic+ Botanical products.  Before manufacturers can sell products with antimicrobial actives in the United States, EPA must evaluate these products thoroughly to ensure that they meet federal safety standards to protect human health and the environment.  EPA regulates antimicrobial actives by reviewing the toxicity of the ingredients and the potential for exposure. Approval of a product for registration is based on scientific assessment related to the identity, composition, potential adverse effects, and environmental fate of each EPA-registered product. After a lengthy review and the EPA determines that no adverse effects are expected to occur when the product is used according to the label directions, they grant product registration.

Over the past 5 years, Noble has seen increasing demand for Ionic+ and antimicrobial fabrics in active wear and health care. At the same time, the market has shifted to more sustainable fabric options requiring more wear with less care, or washings per use. Today, Ionic+ products are found in several categories, including athleisure, travel, home bedding and towels, and sports accessories. Noble is developing Ionic+ Botanical with select development partners, including Salomon— global leader in outdoor, and Trident– global leader in Home textiles. Ionic+ Botanical products will be widely available in 2024.

“We hold ourselves to a very high bar,” said Furey. “We know it’s important to our Brand partners and ultimately the end users to bring products to the market that are built on integrity, efficacy, and sustainability. As our portfolio of antimicrobial solutions with Ionic+® continues to grow, we are excited to add now a plant-based option.”

The new Ionic+ Botanical product line compliments Noble’s established Ionic+ Mineral® products built around the benefits of permanent silver technology to control bacteria on fabric.

Noble has a history of groundbreaking innovation, covering the first EPA-registered silver-based textiles, advances in the use of silver metallized yarns and fibers in wound care, to the first silver antimicrobial textile on the International Space Station. Noble’s antimicrobial products are found on elite athletes, in healthcare and medical supplies, as well as in military applications.

 

About Noble Biomaterials, Inc. 

Noble Biomaterials, Inc. is a global leader in antimicrobial and conductivity solutions for soft surface applications. The company produces advanced material technologies designed for mission-critical applications in the performance apparel, healthcare, industrial, and emerging wearable technology markets. Its flagship brands, IONIC+®, X-STATIC®, and CIRCUITEX®, are used by hundreds of world-class licensees to provide odor elimination, infection prevention/management, biometric monitoring, and conductive protection benefits. Noble Biomaterials is a registered FDA medical device facility, an essential sole-source technology supplier to the US military, and a US EPA–registered antimicrobial manufacturer. Noble products are EPA, FIFRA, BPR, and CE conforming.  Its headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Scranton, PA, and the company has offices in Europe, Asia, and South America.  

For more information on Noble Biomaterials and to view their full range of fabric applications, please visit www.noblebiomaterials.com

Optic Nerve Launches New Sunglass Retainer Line

Optic Nerve Eyewear goes one step further to ensure nothing stands in your way of getting outside by launching a new line of sunglass retainers.

“Over the last couple of years, many of our retail partners were unable to get stock on retainers. As an ongoing effort to go the extra mile for our customers, we decided it would make great sense to fill this gap and produce Optic Nerve retainers! We are now able to present consistent brand merchandising on our existing and new displays, which makes for an amazing aesthetic in stores,” said Mae Welker, Director of Sales.

With a variety of materials and attachment styles, these retainers are made to fit any lifestyle and sense of style.

  • Cotton – made with comfortable cotton and featuring an adjustable slider, these stretchy retainers look and feel great on almost any pair of sunglasses. Open ends fit a wide range of temple shapes and styles.
  • Stretch nylon – long lasting, lightweight, and waterproof nylon is a perfect material for a versatile accessory built for those on the move. Open ends fit a wide range of temple shapes and styles.
  • Cord – made with outdoor-inspired material with an adjustable slider for a customized fit – these cord retainers are highly secure with a classic sense of style. Rubberized slide on attachment fits narrower temple shapes and sizes best.
  • Neoprene – light weight and made to last – neoprene has distinct advantages of being waterproof and tear-resistant meaning this retainer is ready for action. Slide on attachment fits a wide range of temple shapes and styles.
  • Floated cord with buoy – this cord is made for water lovers, with rubberized temple attachments for an extra secure grasp and a lightweight buoy to keep sunglasses afloat. Rubberized slide on attachment fits narrower temple shapes and sizes best.

In addition to offering eye-catching style, these sunglass retainers are incredibly affordable with price points at $9.99 and $10.99. With Optic Nerve Eyewear there’s no reason not to go. Secure your sunnies with Optic Nerve’s new sunglass retainers, additional colors and styles available for wholesale business.

About Optic Nerve

Independently owned and proudly headquartered in Colorado since 1981, Optic Nerve Eyewear exists to create a clearer view of what matters, producing purposeful eyewear for the outdoor-inspired. Headquartered in one of the most physically active states in the U.S., Optic Nerve knows what it’s like to go the extra mile and dedicates excruciating thoughtfulness around features and innovation to make sure nothing stands in the way of creating products with a little extra flare and more value, all with a steadfast commitment to sustainability and quality backed by a lifetime warranty. To learn more, visit www.opticnerve.com.

Old Town® Celebrates 125th Anniversary with Limited Edition Release

Old Town®, the nation’s longest-running watercraft manufacturer, is thrilled to release the limited edition Gray Ghost colorway, celebrating 125 years of pioneering design. The Gray Ghost colorway is available in five key Sportsman Line™ models, with only 125 of each model being produced.

 

“The Gray Ghost is more than just a color,” says Alex Sherbinow, Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Marketing Manager. “This limited edition release celebrates our Maine heritage and legacy of craftsmanship as we continue to propel Old Town® into the future through innovative and industry-leading watercraft design.”

 

From the beginning, Old Town® has blazed the trail of watercraft innovation through production processes, materials, and propulsion technologies, inspiring the outdoor industry in Maine and beyond, and steering the future of outdoor recreation. The Gray Ghost color is a nod to the artistry and angling tradition deeply rooted in Maine’s outdoor culture, sharing the same name with the timeless Gray Ghost Streamer fly pattern pioneered by Maine Guide and beloved fly tyer Carrie Stevens. Much like each Gray Ghost Streamer, every limited edition kayak is expertly crafted and comes stamped 1 through 125 to mark its authenticity.

 

Anglers have a full spectrum of Sportsman Line boats to choose from, including the Old Town® Sportsman™ AutoPilot™ 120 & 136, the 106 Powered by Minn Kota®, and the PDL 106 & 120. Whether looking for a state-of-the-art fishing kayak delivering the ultimate hands-free fishing experience, a plug-and-play, easy-to-use motorized kayak built for all-day comfort, or an ultra-stable pedal-powered workhorse, consumers can rest assured knowing all Old Town® boats are built on a legacy of quality and innovation and manufactured in Maine, USA.  

 

For more information on Old Town® and where to find a Limited Edition Gray Ghost kayak, visit oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com. The first Gray Ghost will ship to dealers in mid-April.

 

About Johnson Outdoors Inc.

 

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping.  Johnson Outdoors’ iconic brands include: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Carlisle® paddles; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems; and, Eureka!®camping and hiking equipment. 

 

Visit Johnson Outdoors at http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com

Climate Legislation, National Monument Protection Among 2022 Conservation Wins for Outdoor Alliance

Washington, D.C. (March 23, 2023)— Helping pass historic climate funding legislation and securing a new National Monument in Colorado are among the key conservation successes achieved in 2022 by Outdoor Alliance, a non-profit working on behalf of the human-powered outdoor recreation community to protect public lands and waters. Outdoor Alliance highlighted its achievements over the past year in its 2022 annual report, released this past week. 

During 2022, Outdoor Alliance held 224 meetings with lawmakers, generated more than 40,000 letters supporting conservation issues through its action alerts, and released 100 data sets providing statistics to support conservation-related work. Those ongoing efforts helped lead to the following wins: 

  • 278,804 acres protected through the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument 
  • 225,504 acres protected through a 20-year mineral withdrawal in the Boundary Waters
  • $4 billion to address water conservation efforts in the Colorado River Basin 
  • $2.6 billion to restore and protect coastal communities and wildlife habitat 
  • $2 billion supporting wildfire resilience efforts on National Forests
  • $1.5 billion supporting urban green space initiatives through the Urban and Community Forestry program
  • $20 million for deferred maintenance projects on National Parks
  • $500 million for staffing at the National Park Service
  • $700 million for USFS wildfire USFS Forest Legacy Program

These allocations in funding for specific conservation initiatives stem from components in the country’s largest ever climate bill, the Inflation Reduction Act. That legislation, passed in August 2022, allocates $369 billion in funding to address the climate crisis. 

In 2022, Outdoor Alliance also was involved in efforts to conserve land and waterways near Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, and it worked alongside local partners to finalize a forest plan for Montana’s 3.2 million-acre Custer Gallatin National Forest that preserves and enhances recreation opportunities along with increased land protection. 

“The outdoor recreation community continues to be an incredibly important voice in moving conservation legislation and funding forward, and we’re grateful for their help in the successes we saw this past year,” said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance. “It’s a long-term effort to get things like this across the finish line, and public support matters greatly. We look forward to growing that momentum as we continue our efforts this year and beyond.” 

To learn more about Outdoor Alliance or sign up for its action alerts to get involved, please visit: outdoor alliance.org. 

About Outdoor Alliance 

Outdoor Alliance is the only organization in the U.S. that unites the voices of outdoor enthusiasts to conserve public lands. A nonprofit coalition comprised of 10 national advocacy organizations, Outdoor Alliance’s members include American Whitewater, American Canoe Association, Access Fund, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Mountaineers, the American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, the Colorado Mountain Club, and the Surfrider Foundation. By working with its member coalitions and helping mobilize the involvement of individuals to protect public lands and waters, OA helps ensure public lands are managed in a way that embraces the human-powered experience. Outdoor Alliance — conservation powered by outdoor recreation. Learn more at OutdoorAlliance.org.