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May 26, 2026Recreational Equipment, Inc. (better known as REI) is a member-owned cooperative that has grown into one of the top retailers in the outdoor industry—and one of the outdoor industry’s sustainability leaders. Alongside efforts to reduce the impact of its own operations, REI uses its influence to encourage higher sustainability standards across the brands it retails. Notably, REI is certified under the Climate Label and is working toward a 47% emissions reduction by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2050. It also prioritizes low-impact materials and fair business practices, including using over 50% recycled polyester, just over 65% Bluesign-approved fabrics, Fair Trade Certified products, and responsibly sourced materials.
While we primarily cover REI’s branded products in this article, the company has an outsized influence over the brands it carries in its stores. In 2018, REI introduced the Product Impact Standards, a set of sustainability guidelines that promote environmentally responsible practices among REI brand partners, including the use of low-impact, ethically sourced materials. Through these standards, REI has influenced three-quarters of the brands it sells to measure their greenhouse gas emissions in line with science-aligned emissions-reduction targets. Below, we dive into a thorough sustainability analysis of REI Co-op’s operations and branded products.
This sustainability analysis evaluates both product- and brand-level initiatives to capture the full scope of REI’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact. Our research draws from REI’s published sustainability data, other reputable sources, third-party certifications (a cornerstone of our process), and correspondence with brand representatives. We have independently researched over 45 REI products to date, giving us a broad understanding of the brand’s use of low-impact materials, chemistry, and manufacturing practices.
You can also explore our analyses of other outdoor brands, or use our advanced search to find products that align with your sustainability values.
REI Co-op receives an “Excellent” rating for transparency. The company publishes a comprehensive impact report detailing all of its sustainability programs at the product and brand levels. In fact, REI’s impact report is one of the most informative reports we’ve seen, providing easy-to-understand graphs that show its greenhouse gas tracking and progress toward its emissions reduction targets. It clearly separates materials—such as wool, down, recycled materials, cotton, leather, and polyester—and explains how each is sourced, along with any future sustainability-related goals. From increasing renewable energy to using lower-carbon materials and recycled packaging, REI meticulously outlines how it is lowering its environmental impact. Furthermore, the company highlights how it is influencing other brands in the industry to adopt the same approach.
On its website, REI clearly labels the material composition of its products and even includes a sustainability section in each description. REI’s website is so detailed and easy to navigate that it rarely requires a follow-up via email from Better Trail staff. Overall, REI is a leading example of how brands can execute sustainability initiatives and be transparent about what they are doing along the way.
REI incorporates a significant amount of recycled content into its products, though brands like Patagonia surpass its recycled content claims by a substantial margin. Because recycled materials typically have a smaller carbon footprint than their virgin counterparts, increasing their use has become a key strategy for reducing emissions across the outdoor industry. In 2021, only 34% of REI’s polyester and 28% of nylon came from recycled sources. That year, REI joined the 2025 Recycled Polyester Challenge, an initiative of the Textile Exchange (a global nonprofit focused on sustainable textile production) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aimed at increasing the use of recycled polyester in the clothing industry. REI exceeded its goal of using at least 45% recycled polyester by 2025, reaching 54% recycled polyester and 45% recycled nylon that year.
For comparison, however, in 2025, almost all of the polyester and nylon that Patagonia used came from recycled sources. While REI has made substantial progress in this area, it still has significant room to reduce its impact by moving away from virgin synthetics. Still, REI continues to push the industry forward, committing to a three-year agreement with textile-to-textile recycling company, Ambercycle, to increase its use of circular materials (currently, most recycled polyester comes from plastic water bottles, removing them from a circular supply chain to one in which they usually can’t be recycled again). REI also uses LanzaTech yarns, which are made from captured greenhouse gas emissions, in some of its fabrics.
Bluesign is the leading system for reducing environmental impact and hazardous chemical use in the textile industry, and as a result, it has been widely adopted by outdoor brands looking to reduce their impact. In 2025, 65% of the fabrics used in REI-branded products were Bluesign-approved (down from just over 70% in 2024), meaning they have undergone rigorous vetting for chemical safety, worker protection, and environmental impact throughout production. REI conducts in-house chemical testing on materials that aren’t Bluesign-approved to ensure they continue to meet global consumer safety regulatory requirements. Notably, REI is also a Bluesign System Partner, meaning it has committed to eliminating hazardous chemicals and implementing sustainable practices throughout its supply chain. The brand also maintains a Restricted Substances List based on Bluesign’s guidelines, which meets or exceeds global regulatory standards for harmful substances.
The brand has also made a strong effort to reduce its use of hazardous chemicals, such as flame retardants, antimicrobials, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). As of 2026, all REI-branded tents are flame-retardant free, and all antimicrobial treatments are Bluesign-approved, ensuring they have been rigorously tested for toxicity. REI has also eliminated PVC from all branded products except for select bicycle components.
REI is transitioning away from using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in its branded products, though, to our understanding, it has not yet completed the phase-out in select categories. PFAS, dubbed “forever chemicals” for their extreme environmental persistence, have fallen out of favor in the outdoor industry as a result of California and New York legislation banning the chemical group for its adverse health effects, effective in 2025. Most brands in the outdoor industry have since made a strong effort to eliminate these harmful chemicals from their products.
In REI’s 2024 impact report, the brand reported that it had eliminated PFAS from its apparel, footwear, packs, and bags. In 2025, it stated that all durable water-repellent treatments used on textile-based gear and apparel were PFAS free. Unfortunately, it has not yet commented on other types of gear, such as cookware products. Additionally, REI has given brands that sell expedition-level gear in its stores until 2026 to phase out PFAS (to date, we have yet to find an update on this). REI completed its phase-out of PFAS-based DWR and waterproof membranes at a pace similar to that of most major outdoor brands.
REI utilizes third-party certifications to ensure that natural fibers are sourced responsibly. For example, 100% of the virgin down and feathers used in REI products meet the Responsible Down Standard. Additionally, REI sources virgin wool from sheep farms that adhere to animal welfare standards, with a preference for wool certified to the Responsible Wool Standard. The brand also prioritizes leather from suppliers rated by the Leather Working Group, an organization focused on creating a sustainable global leather supply chain (although we were unable to confirm whether all leather is sourced from these certified suppliers, or what certification tier they must meet). For Lyocell and Modal fabrics (which are derived from cellulosic feedstocks—typically from trees), REI states that it aims to use materials from responsibly managed forests, but we were unable to confirm what program it uses to do so. The brand does not report on its use of organic cotton, although the material is included as a preferred attribute in its Product Impact Standards. In addition to these practices, REI avoids using several materials due to their negative environmental impact or animal welfare concerns, including alpaca fiber, angora, rayon made from bamboo, mohair, exotic leathers and fur, and dry-clean-only fabrics.
Many of REI’s products are Fair Trade Certified (FTC), meaning they are produced in accordance with rigorous social and environmental standards (read more here). REI pays a Fair Trade premium on products made in FTC factories, which is allocated to a community development fund managed by workers at these factories. The brand is a leader in Fair Trade Certified products; although it doesn’t report on the total percentage of Fair Trade Certified products in its line, in 2025, REI contributed $770,000 to Fair Trade community funds, totaling $3.26 million since 2016. We also appreciate that REI publicly discloses its factory partner list and Code of Conduct.
REI was also one of the first signatories to the Social & Labor Convergence Program, a collaborative effort among brands, manufacturers, and labor rights groups that seeks to elevate labor conditions in the international textile supply chain. As part of this program, REI is developing an industry-wide protocol for collecting social and labor data to identify opportunities for improvement across the production process.
REI has made significant efforts to minimize the environmental impact of its packaging. In 2024, the company became a Zero Waste organization, meaning it diverted at least 90% of operational waste from landfills. It maintained this distinction in 2025. Additionally, in both 2024 and 2025, almost all of REI’s paper-based packaging was Forest Stewardship Council-certified, and around half of it was made from certified post-consumer waste. REI also eliminates packaging whenever possible—instead of packaging branded apparel in poly bags, it uses the “roll-pack” method, in which products are gently rolled and secured with a twist of Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper. In 2023, it eliminated shopping bags from most retail locations, averting 425 tons of paper waste annually.
The company has also developed sustainable packaging guidelines, based on the Outdoor Industry Association’s parameters, that establish a high standard for low-impact packaging of REI brand products. REI asks partner brands to avoid shipping products in individual plastic bags and even charges a recycling fee to incentivize this shift. In 2025, REI reported that the majority of brands it carries no longer use poly bags as standard practice.
Unlike many of its outdoor industry counterparts, including Patagonia and Arc’teryx, REI does not offer repair services for its gear. Repair services help you use your gear longer, keeping it out of landfills while reducing the need to buy something new. These services are becoming increasingly common in the outdoor industry, but REI has yet to offer even basic repairs for apparel, packs, and most hard goods. The company provides recommendations on where to get your gear fixed, and its website features numerous articles on caring for and repairing your own gear. Notably, it does offer in-store ski, snowboard, and bike repair services for a fee.
REI has sold used outdoor gear for more than 60 years through its “garage sale” events, and continues to lead the industry forward through its comprehensive resale program. The brand now offers a Re/Supply section in many of its stores, as well as two dedicated brick-and-mortar locations in Oregon and California. It previously operated an online resale platform, but unfortunately, the retailer discontinued it in 2025. The company accepts any gently used gear found in its Used Gear Trade-In Catalog, regardless of whether it was originally purchased at REI. Customers can also trade in used gear in person or via mail in exchange for an REI gift card. The company estimates that buying used gear has a 50% smaller carbon footprint than manufacturing new gear, with the added bonus of keeping products in circulation for longer.
REI has tracked its greenhouse gas emissions using Higg Index tools since 2019 and reports the data annually in its impact report. The brand has also set Science Based Targets Initiative-verified emissions-reduction goals (which align with the Paris Agreement warming thresholds). REI aims to reduce its Scope 1 emissions (from owned operations) by 47% and Scope 3 emissions (from its supply chain) by 47% by 2030, compared to its 2019 baseline year. Notably, it has also maintained net-zero Scope 2 emissions (from purchased energy) by purchasing 100% renewable energy for well over a decade. Like many leading brands in the industry, REI has set the long-term goal of reaching net-zero total emissions by 2050.
In its 2025 impact report, REI reported a 15% reduction in its total greenhouse gas footprint and a 28% reduction in carbon intensity compared to its 2019 baseline. Additionally, since 2021, REI has been certified to the Change Climate Project’s Climate Label (formerly Climate Neutral Certified), a recognition awarded to companies that fund carbon reduction projects equivalent to their annual emissions. As one of the largest retailers in the outdoor clothing industry, REI has leveraged its influence to encourage other brands to adopt more sustainable practices. To do so, the company hosts workshops that teach partner brands how to measure carbon emissions and set reduction goals. At the end of 2024, almost three-quarters of REI’s sales came from brands with science-aligned emissions reduction targets.
REI publishes a lengthy impact report each year detailing the company’s social and environmental impact. Its 2025 Annual Impact Report includes “A Healthy Planet” section, which explores REI’s initiatives in emissions reduction, waste, circularity, preferred materials, and more, covering nearly all of our sustainability criteria. It provides comprehensive greenhouse gas data with reporting on its progress toward reducing emissions. The brand also reports on its use of recycled and responsible materials (like Bluesign-approved fabrics, Responsible Down, and more). Compared to most outdoor brands, REI’s Annual Impact Report stands out for both its comprehensiveness and transparency.
REI is involved in a wide range of climate and sustainability initiatives. It is a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association's Climate Action Corps, workswith Cascale (a global nonprofit that created the Higg Index) to expand environmental and social impact assessment tools, and partners with the Textile Exchange to improve supply chain traceability. It was also a co-founder of The Conservation Alliance, an alliance of brands that collaborate to protect the land and water. In addition, REI established its own platform, the Cooperative Action Network, to pursue projects related to climate action, outdoor equity, and public lands stewardship. As of 2025, the Cooperative Action Fund has provided over $12 million in funding to non-profit organizations focused on access and inclusion in the outdoors.
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These products are among the most sustainable on the market and earn our Better Trail Certified distinction. They often meet 80% or more of our sustainability criteria for their category.
These products are solid, middle-of-the-pack options for sustainability. In general, they meet at least half of our sustainability criteria for their category.
These products are among the least sustainable in their product category and have significant room for improvement. Most meet about 25% or less of our sustainability criteria.
Better Trail Certified Process
The world of sustainability can be murky, but Better Trail is here to help bring clarity. We’ve exhaustively researched thousands of outdoor gear products, communicated with brands, and created a detailed and rigorous ratings system to bring it all together for you. At the pinnacle is Better Trail Certified.
Better Trail Certified products score 4 out of 5 or higher in our sustainability ratings and generally meet around 80% or more of our criteria. While it’s true that no product is 100% sustainable—all take resources to create and arrive at your doorstep—these products are industry leaders and among the most sustainable on the market.
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