We are extremely fortunate to be supported by companies, like Osprey, that care as much as we do about the conservation of nature and wildlife, and the protection of our planet. Osprey has been a member of EOCA for over 10 years, during which time its level of involvement has been invaluable.
We had a chat with Jonathan Petty, VP Sales EMEA, Helen of Troy, to find out more about Osprey’s membership and support of EOCA and the actions it is taking as a company to focus on sustainability.
Why did Osprey feel it was important to become a Sustaining Member of EOCA?
Over the past 10 years we have supported the worthwhile and crucial work of EOCA through various projects and fundraisers. The role of EOCA has never been so important, helping to fund conservation and protect the wildlife we all care about so much.
We recognise that there is a need for the industry we work in to support the foundations of this conservation work. By elevating our partnership with EOCA and becoming a Sustaining Member, we now support the financing model of the conservation, helping EOCA use membership fees towards making a difference to the world’s ecosystems.
Through further fundraising initiatives around Earth Day and Green Friday, we aspire to provide funding to designated conservation projects. As part of our Earth Day efforts, we were able to donate £17,000 to the Treasure Island project, which is dedicated to preserving endangered species in Indonesia.
Why do you think the model of the whole outdoor industry working together is important and successful?
We love being in the outdoors, and as a company our mission is to design and build products to inspire everyone to get outside and experience adventure. Whether that’s treading the trail, summiting peaks, riding in the forest or paddling downstream. And while it’s in our nature to be outdoors, we also remember that it is our responsibility to protect and conserve it.
EOCA is a fantastic example of how bringing like-minded people and organisations – with a shared passion for the outdoors – can join to create a powerful force for good.
By working together as an industry, we can make a much bigger impact. We have the power to not only educate our customers on how to treat the outdoors, but we can set an example, by supporting organisations like EOCA.
What is important to the team at Osprey (in relation to, for example, conservation, sustainability, climate change, loss of biodiversity and ultimately protection of our planet – any specific campaigns involved in or ongoing actions)
At Osprey, we strive to be not only innovators of the highest-quality products in the industry, but responsible citizens. We continue to evolve our processes to ensure we leave as little trace as possible. From building the most durable products, introducing high-quality recycled materials, implementing better chemistry and offering our All Mighty Guarantee™.
In Spring 2018, we established our three pillars of sustainability: materials, chemistry and social responsibility. These helped guide us as we embarked on a mission to become a more conscientious and progressive outdoor hardgoods brand. We’ve since seen success in many of the aggressive goals we set for ourselves but have no plans on resting.
Recent successes include installing solar panels on our Vietnam and European headquarters and switching to using DWR treatments made without PFAS on all main body fabrics. Furthermore, all our poly bags are now made of 100% recycled material and all paper packaging is FSC-certified or recycled and recyclable.
In 2021 we became a bluesign® system partner, marking a significant shift towards textile sustainability throughout our supply chain. And as a founding member of the OIA sponsored Climate Action Corps, we work with companies across the outdoor industry to rise to the challenge of climate change and measure, plan, reduce and share our progress.
From raw materials and chemistry benchmarks to progressive factory code of conduct agreements and programmes that extend a product’s end of life, Osprey is taking a truly holistic approach and looking at every aspect of the business and the businesses connected to us.
