REI report focuses on sustainability
Outdoor clothing retail co-operative REI has published its fourth annual stewardship report, which explains the ways in which the company has been adjusting its operational environmental impact as well as the way it is working to introduce people to nature and protect outdoor spaces and providing an inclusive workplace.
The report illustrates the way the company has made business decisions at its headquarters, 112 stores and two distribution centres to identify opportunities that provide environmental benefits and cost savings.
The report is divided into three sections: Community, Environment and People.
The Community section highlights the co-op’s efforts to protect natural spaces through local programmes, grants and non-profit partnerships. Highlights include 107,000 volunteer hours committed through 485 REI-hosted conservation projects and REI’s support of nonprofits to help plant trees, restore trails, and clean parks and streams as well as $2 million in grants provided to more than 250 organisations with a focus on conservation and outdoor recreation.
The Environment section highlights progress against its five environmental strategies, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable paper usage, reducing waste and optimising recycling, green building and product stewardship. This included a 10% reduction of its absolute climate compared with 2008 and using green power purchases and rooftop solar systems to provide 18% of its total electricity usage.
The People section highlights the co-op’s work to create a welcoming and diverse workplace that values its employees and to ensure that its products are manufactured and sourced ethically under safe and fair working conditions. Its annual survey results showed 87% of employees are positively engaged in the company’s work and mission and REI ranked 14th in Fortune magazine’s 2010 ‘100 Best Companies to Work for’ list. REI also partnered in or sponsored more than 50 events in San Diego and Atlanta to help families and children from diverse communities make lasting connections with the outdoors.
“REI reflects its deep commitment to stewardship in how we care for the world where we all play, work and live, and how we connect people to nature,” said Kevin Hagen, REI’s director of corporate social responsibility. “REI’s 2009 report delivers on our desire to be transparent and accountable to our employees, members, customers and other stakeholders.”
