Sustainability
Operating Responsibly for the Long TermSustainability
Operating Responsibly for the Long TermSustainability. The capability to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. For purposes of this part, ”ecological sustainability” refers to the capability of ecosystems to maintain ecological integrity; ”economic sustainability” refers to the capability of society to produce and consume or otherwise benefit from goods and services including contributions to jobs and market and nonmarket benefits; and ”social sustainability” refers to the capability of society to support the network of relationships, traditions, culture, and activities that connect people to the land and to one another, and support vibrant communities. BEST certification requires demonstrating environmental sustainability across our entire business operation – not just on trips, but in our shop, office practices, purchasing decisions, and long-term planning.
Our Sustainable Practices
Our Sustainable Practices:
- Minimize, Reuse, Repair
We repair equipment rather than replacing it whenever possible. Our expert repair services extend the life of boats, paddles, and gear – keeping functional equipment out of landfills while saving customers money. When equipment finally reaches end-of-life, we have an array of recycling options that are regional and actually create new and useful products. - Quality Over Quantity
We stock quality gear from manufacturers committed to environmental responsibility and durable construction. Cheap equipment creates waste; quality gear lasts decades. We’d rather sell you one great boat that lasts 20 years than five cheap ones that fail. - Local and Responsible Sourcing
Where possible, we support local businesses and manufacturers with strong environmental track records. Our purchasing decisions focus on made in the U.S.A. whenever possible and we have been working with many of our manufacturers for years. - Energy and Resource Conservation
Our operations minimize energy use, reduce water consumption, eliminate single-use plastics where possible, and prioritize resource efficiency. Small choices accumulate into significant impact reduction over decades. We have two electric car charging stations on site for guests and we purchase 100% green power. - Fleet Management
Our rental fleet features current models maintained in excellent condition – maximizing usable life while ensuring safety and performance. When we retire rental equipment, it often finds second life through sales to customers seeking quality used gear. - Guest Education
Every interaction becomes an opportunity to model sustainable practices and explain why they matter. Overnight trips use zero single use containers and we divert 85% of waste from the landfill through composting and recycling. We encourage our guests to think about minimizing waste and practicing LNT as we traverse wild places.