Backpacker’s Cache Bear Barrels

The Backpackers’ Cache Bear Resistant Food Container keeps your food and the bears safe. Manufactured by Garcia Machine, a mom-and-pop independent business run by Richard Garcia and his wife Beverly, they are designed to slip into a camper’s backpack and will hold approximately 6 days of food. According to research by the National Park System, bear barrels have significantly reduced the amount of “nuisance bears,” who become aggressive towards humans and have to be destroyed. In this way, bear barrels have preserved bear populations in many national parks. The containers are made out of ABS plastic which is recyclable, and all scrap in the manufacturing process are recycled. Richard & Beverly Garcia support many environmental groups such as the UINTAS Preservation Council, www.hupc.org and are very active in the Sierra Club. Backpacker’s Cache gave us bear resistant food canisters. They work for composting, too!

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Buck Knives

Buck Knives have been manufacturing premier hunting and outdoor knives for over a hundred years. Their knives can be used for several purposes, from everyday use to hunting/fishing purposes. They can be custom built, and some have features such as built-in lights and safety opening blades for those not as comfortable or familiar with knives. The Buck Knives Company strives to be environmentally responsible in their manufacturing process by recycling scrap materials. They also contribute to humanitarian projects, such as donating knives to missionaries and other charitable organizations. Buck Knives gave us outdoor pocketknives and scissors.

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The Original Bug Shirt Company

The Original Bug Shirt company manufactures loose-fitting, light-weight clothing that is designed to protect the wearer from mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, and other insects. The Bug Shirts have a mesh covering over the face, allowing a person to breathe and see without getting bug bites. The Bug Shirts allow a person to be free of mosquitoes without using noxious insecticides. This company also sells bug pants and hoods. This product is ideal for people who enjoy outdoor activities in the summertime. Bug Shirt gave us mesh hooded, face covering shirts to protect against mosquitoes.

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Jet Boil

Jetboil® designs and manufactures innovative camp cooking products that are lightweight and fuel efficient. Compared with traditional camp stoves, which have 30-40% fuel efficiency, Jetboil more effectively absorbs heat from the flame and has a 75-80% efficiency rate, which cuts down on fuel consumption, cost, and emissions. Jetboil has many eco-friendly business practices—recently they have switched from corrugated cardboard packaging to post-consumer recycled paperboard. They are also eliminating PVC bags from all packaging. Based in New Hampshire, Jetboil works with many local New England suppliers to reduce transport costs and emissions, and continues to support environmental education and conservation groups. Jetboil gave us cooking stoves, pots, pans, mugs and fuel canisters.

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Leki

Leki is a company that manufactures mountaineering equipment (specifically trekking poles), based in Germany. They strive to be environmentally friendly in their manufacturing process: all scraps are recycled, and instead of using chemical baths in their heat-treating of aluminum, they only use water. They re-use samples and demos, and refurbish used hiking poles and donate them to Boy Scouts. Leki gave us trekking poles.

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Mountainsmith

Mountainsmith is the first company to manufacture backpacks made from all-recycled materials. Their backpacks are made from 100% recycled fabrics produced from plastic bottles. Each pack is made from between 13 and 16 plastic bottles, and it is estimated that by the end of 2007, 1.1 million plastic bottles will be re-used by these backpacks alone. Mountainsmith supports many non-profit environmental groups, including the Conservation Alliance and the Access Fund. Mountainsmith gave us daypacks.

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Pacific Outdoors

Pacific Outdoors is a company based in Bozeman, Montana that produces high-quality outdoor gear including sleeping bags, sleeping pads, chairs, and backpacks. They are dedicated to protecting the environment through their products and business practices. Their Eco line of products (including the Eco Dry Bags and Eco Sleeping Pads) are created from non-dyed, bamboo-based fibers; recycled aluminum; and wind and solar power are purchased to offset carbon emissions from the manufacturing process. Pacific Outdoors donates to environmental and social justice charities, such as the Central Asia Institute. Pacific Outdoor Equipment gave us sleeping pads and dry bags.

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Petzl

Petzl is a company that manufactures high-performance climbing and mountaineering equipment. They have initiated a recycling system at their business near the Salt Lake City area, and their recycling system has expanded to include many of the organizations in their industrial complex. They have other environmentally-friendly business practices: carpooling is available to employees, and once the light rail is established in Salt Lake, employers may grant free rail passes to their workers as an incentive to use this energy saving mode of transportation. Petzl annually contributes to environmental groups such as the Access Fund, and sponsors events that donate to the Access Fund. Petzl gave us headlights, helmets, rock climbing harnesses, ice axes and carabiners

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Sierra Designs

Sierra Designs manufactures outdoor gear and clothing, including sleeping bags, tents, and footwear. Environmentalism and sustainability are core values of Sierra Designs—100% of their office and warehouse power is offset with wind power certificates. They also strive to print on recycled paper and minimize packaging. The materials for their products often originate from recycled or renewable resources—for instance, their Cocona fabric is made from a coconut-husk by-product; the Moda Woven from beechwood chips; and the Polartec fleece from recycled plastic bottles. Sierra Designs sponsors many organizations including the Conservation Alliance, the Women’s Wilderness Institute, the Peace Pedalers, and many other groups. Sierra Designs gave us tents.

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Steripen

SteriPEN™ is the only portable water purifier that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy waterborne microbes. Whether your source is a woodland brook or an overseas hotel tap, SteriPEN purifies clear water by destroying viruses, bacteria and protozoa—including Giardia and Cryptosporidium—in seconds. Carry a SteriPEN to disinfect water wherever you travel, hike, camp or trek. It’s the fastest route to pure, safe drinking water anywhere. Steripen gave us water sterilization pens.

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Treehugger Hammocks

Treehugger company produces durable, user-friendly, and comfortable hammocks for all outdoor lovers. These hammocks provide people a way to interact with the outdoors without leaving an impact. The Treehugger Hammocks Company is very supportive of environmental groups, annually contributing to the Sierra Club and the Nature Conservancy. They are also a member of 1% For the Planet. Treehugger Hammocks gave us hammocks.

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