BioLite CampStove 2+ Sustainability Report

The CampStove 2+ has a durable metal stove body and a well-protected battery unit designed for rugged use. The aluminum legs and heat mesh add stability and reduce wear during operation. While the main unit is built to last, the grill attachment lacks a locking mechanism and feels less secure. The overall system should hold up well with mindful use and careful storage.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

BioLite offers some replacement parts for its stoves (including the CampStove 2+), but availability isn’t guaranteed. Its replacement program isn’t as robust as those offered by other stove manufacturers.

Providing replacement parts extends a product's lifespan and eliminates the need to purchase a new one. For example, some brands offer replacement lenses for ski goggles, should they become damaged, or provide an extra clip for a trekking pole if it breaks. We scale the points received for this category based on how robust the replacement part offerings are for the product category.

We could not find evidence of responsible manufacturing practices at BioLite.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

BioLite has taken steps to reduce plastic and non-recyclable materials, though it has not disclosed how much of its packaging has been improved.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

BioLite does not offer repair services for its products.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

BioLite is a co-founder of the Change Climate Project and is also Climate Neutral Certified, which means it measures, reduces, and offsets its carbon footprint annually. The company has a goal to reach net zero emissions in the future, although it did not specify a specific date. Additionally, BioLite stoves burn wood and charcoal and so are cleaner than traditional fossil fuel stoves. As a result, the company avoided nearly 1 million additional tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere in 2023.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

BioLite produces an annual impact report that has detailed information about the company’s sustainability efforts. Specifically, it highlights its progress in bringing energy access to underserved communities, primarily in Africa. The report also contains information on the company’s greenhouse gas emissions tracking and reduction.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.