NEMO Equipment and ALLIED Feather + Down Set a New Standard for Sustainability with Award-Winning Circular Sleeping Bags

NEMO’s Endless Promise? circularity program is the first to employ ALLIED’s RENU:TRACE program, the world’s only traceable recycled down

In an inspiring move for sustainable outdoor gear, NEMO Equipment has been awarded the prestigious GOOD DESIGN Sustainability Award for its innovative Endless Promise? sleeping bag collection. This groundbreaking collection, part of NEMO’s broader Endless Promise? circularity program, has made waves by utilizing ALLIED Feather + Down’s RENU program, the world’s first fully traceable recycled down.

A Revolutionary Approach to Sustainability

NEMO Equipment, a New Hampshire-based outdoor gear company known for its award-winning designs and commitment to sustainability, is pushing the boundaries of circularity with its Endless Promise? collection. What sets this line of sleeping bags apart from other outdoor products is its full lifecycle approach. Consumers can return their NEMO down sleeping bags—such as the Disco and Riff models—at the end of their lifespan, where the down is removed, cleaned, revived, and re-integrated into ALLIED’s RENU closed-loop recycling system.

The integration of RENU, launched by ALLIED Feather + Down in 2022, ensures that the recycled down used in the sleeping bags is not only environmentally friendly but also ethically sourced and fully traceable. According to ALLIED’s President, Daniel Uretsky, “Recyclable and naturally biodegradable down is one of the most sustainable insulations on the planet and plays an important role in a circular economy.” This approach ensures the ethical treatment of animals within the supply chain, a significant concern in the down industry, while also offering a solution for reducing textile waste.

The Power of Closed-Loop Recycling

The RENU program is a pioneering initiative that keeps the entire recycling process within a closed-loop system. In traditional recycling, the origins of down used in products can often become murky, with materials coming from unknown or potentially unethical sources. RENU solves this issue by offering 100% traceability of recycled down, ensuring that it comes from animals that have been treated humanely and from sources that meet stringent ethical and environmental standards.

In the past, brands were forced to choose between using post-consumer recycled materials and ensuring ethical sourcing of down. The RENU program eliminates this compromise, offering brands like NEMO the best of both worlds—environmental responsibility and animal welfare.

NEMO Equipment is the first brand to embrace this innovative program, aligning with their sustainability-driven Endless Promise? circularity program, which aims to minimize waste and maximize product lifespan. The partnership with ALLIED Feather + Down further enhances NEMO’s commitment to eco-friendly and ethical practices in the outdoor gear industry.

NEMO’s Commitment to Sustainable Design

NEMO Equipment’s award-winning Endless Promise? collection is not just about recycling; it reflects a deep commitment to sustainable design principles. NEMO’s focus on creating durable, long-lasting products is evident in the quality of their sleeping bags, which are designed to endure extreme outdoor conditions. By incorporating ALLIED’s RENU recycled down, NEMO’s products are not only performance-driven but also have a minimal environmental footprint.

This dedication to sustainability is echoed in the words of NEMO’s founder, Cam Brensinger, who has long championed the idea that outdoor gear should be built with both the user and the planet in mind. NEMO’s team of designers and engineers continually strives to bring products to market that offer meaningful benefits to both adventurers and the environment.

What is the GOOD DESIGN Sustainability Award?

The GOOD DESIGN Award, one of the oldest and most prestigious design awards, was created to honor innovative and impactful design across various industries. The Sustainability Award in particular recognizes products that showcase outstanding eco-friendly features, pushing boundaries in sustainable design. By winning this award, NEMO Equipment and ALLIED Feather + Down have been recognized as leaders in creating environmentally responsible outdoor gear.

The recognition of the Endless Promise? collection by the GOOD DESIGN jury underscores the importance of circularity in product development and highlights the growing demand for sustainable options in the consumer market. More importantly, it paves the way for future innovations in traceable recycled materials across various industries.

About ALLIED Feather + Down

Founded in 1987, ALLIED Feather + Down is a pioneer in the ethical sourcing and processing of down insulation. Over the past 30 years, ALLIED has earned its reputation as the largest and most responsible supplier of down in the world. The company has led the industry in developing standards for traceability and animal welfare, including the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and TrackMyDown—a system that allows consumers to trace the origin of the down in their products, providing transparency and peace of mind.

ALLIED Feather + Down’s RENU program is a direct extension of their commitment to sustainability. By creating the world’s first and only fully traceable recycled down, ALLIED has addressed a significant gap in the industry, ensuring that the recycled material used in products like NEMO’s Endless Promise? sleeping bags is both environmentally friendly and ethically sourced.

About NEMO Equipment

Known for its innovative outdoor gear, NEMO Equipment has built a reputation for products that are not only functional and durable but also sustainable. Based in New Hampshire, NEMO has received accolades for its innovative approach to product design, consistently delivering high-performance gear that enhances outdoor experiences while minimizing environmental impact.

NEMO’s Endless Promise? circularity program is a key part of the company’s sustainability strategy, demonstrating their commitment to reducing waste and designing products that can be fully recycled. This approach aligns perfectly with the values of the modern outdoor enthusiast, who seeks gear that performs well in the wild and leaves a minimal carbon footprint.

Leading the Industry Toward a Sustainable Future

The partnership between NEMO Equipment and ALLIED Feather + Down marks a significant step forward in the outdoor industry’s push toward sustainability. As more brands look to reduce their environmental impact, initiatives like RENU offer a blueprint for how recycled materials can be incorporated into high-performance products without compromising quality or ethics.

By winning the GOOD DESIGN Sustainability Award, NEMO Equipment has set a new standard for eco-friendly innovation in outdoor gear, showing that it is possible to create products that are not only durable and functional but also responsibly sourced and recyclable. This recognition is not just a win for NEMO and ALLIED but for the entire industry and the planet.

For more information on ALLIED Feather + Down’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.alliedfeather.com, and to explore NEMO Equipment’s award-winning products, check out www.nemoequipment.com.