Form and function: How companies are making positive impacts 365 days of the year
Hello April and all that Earth Month brings - the flowers, more hours of daylight and the hyper awareness of destructive acts we have made as humans to this beautiful planet we call home. Yikes. It does not have to be all doom and gloom though. In fact, we can use this month to shift our perspective on our roles and responsibilities and make informed decisions as global citizens.
As a fan of travel, food and fashion, I am aware that these three major industries have rapidly chipped away at Mother Nature. All is not lost. Here are industry examples on how companies are adding to the sustainability conversation for good:
G Adventures Executive producer and founder of G Adventures, Bruce Poon Tip alongside writer/director Tyson Sadler, brought the documentary, The Last Tourist to North American audiences this month. Experts in the field of travel, G Adventures is the world's largest small group adventure travel company. Hosting 200,000 travelers per year, they offer more than 750 tours, and travel to 100 countries.The film, now streaming on all platforms, looks at how pre-pandemic travel was, as Bruce puts it, “selling amenities.” The travel destination itself becomes an insignificant backdrop to escapism. Shot in over 17 countries worldwide, the story leaves viewers with a sense of optimism on how our travel choices can make positive impacts and help travelers regain connection with the world.
Bespoken Spirits Whiskey enthusiasts and founders, Martin Janousek and Stu Aaron have put sustainability at the forefront with Bespoken Spirits. By using craft maturation, the spirit takes less than 3% of the wood, less than 1% of the energy required and a fraction of the water required by traditional barrel aging. In fact, unlike other brands, the proprietary process is so efficient, 20% of the product is not lost to evaporation.The results are award-winning spirits (85 accolades and counting!) with robust aromas, color and taste. Some top selections from the collection include the Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Double Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition) with hints of cherry bark and lemon leaf. The faint orange American Light Whiskey (2020 Gold San Francisco World Spirits Competition) has notes of lime peel and steel-cut oats. Finally, the Rye Whiskey (2021 New York World Wine and Spirits Competition Double Gold winner) gives hints of oiled leather, and just lit pipe tobacco. Whether you like your whiskey neat or paired with exceptional chocolate (Try Feve Chocolates, a SF sustainable artisan chocolatier), these bespoke spirits are sure to delight.
DUER DUER weaves sustainability right into their products. It starts with DUER’s manufacturing partners and their alignment to quality and versatility. This not only speaks to the denim itself, but also the fair working conditions with full-time, insured, salaried, professional employees in Pakistan.DUER utilizes both organic cotton and Tencel as they are both plant-derived (eucalyptus, wood chips and plants) and developed using less water and fewer chemicals in a ‘closed loop’ production process. Although polyester fiber, (sourced from used plastic bottles) is kept at a minimum, DUER denim has movement. All thanks to the stylistic and functional signature gusset. Other features include COOLMAX® fibers for temperature regulation in cool and warm weather and the addition of Silvadur for odor control.DUER gives consumers clothing and a company they can count on to create a bright future ahead. First, an established repair program enables customers to receive free pant repair one year after purchase (if needed) available at store locations. Second, the company is transitioning to a low impact dye technique. Finally, DUER will decrease the usage of synthetics across the whole collection from packaging to fabric composition.
