Defining Success with Sustainability - A Look at Our 2020 Goals

Burton cultivated a new sport, and with it, we were building a new community. It meant that every decision we ever made was about what was best for the longevity of snowboarding.

Today, the challenge is bigger than that. At the core of every decision we’re making is the health of the outdoor industry and our entire global community. As a business, it’s not the easiest way forward. As citizens with a responsibility to make an impact, it’s the only way forward. We feel the consequences of climate change accelerating all around us. We're doing something about it.

With a commitment to transparency and leadership, we're crafting our goals according to the three categories most important to us: Our Product, Our People, and Our Playground. We chose 2020 as the deadline because it's equal parts aggressive and possible, just the right setting for rapid progression.

By 2020, our Softgoods will:

• Use 100% bluesign® approved materials, 100% sustainable cotton, 50% recycled polyester, and will use only 100% PFC-free durable water repellency.
• Use zero biocides, and less (and cleaner) water in the manufacturing of our products.

bluesign® is the highest environmental standard in textiles that ensures product is produced with only the safest chemicals and materials, and that during production, only clean air and water are emitted. In 2018, we have one of the highest levels globally of bluesign® across our product lines: 85% of our Outerwear, 50% of our Base Layer, and 38% of our Bags are bluesign® approved. We still have some work to do, but our progress is leading the way.

By 2020, our Hardgoods will:

• Create 20% less carbon emissions from cradle to gate by using life cycle assessment (LCA) to target the highest impact areas of improved materials, reduced waste, and energy efficiency.

By 2020, our packaging will be:

• 100% recyclable or compostable (containing 80% recycled content).
  
• 100% "right-sized" to reduce the quantity of material used.

The most important detail? We are 100% committed to doing all of this while we continue to design for the highest quality and durability.

We’re only as good as the impact we have. Here's how we're investing in social progress to protect every person that touches our product.

• 100% of our Tier I (finished good) suppliers will meet Fair Labor Association standards and achieve silver or higher internal standards on sustainability, quality, performance, and delivery.
  
• 100% of our Tier II (raw material) suppliers will be known and tracked. The top 80% of volume suppliers will meet sustainability and quality standards.
  
• We'll foster our unique sustainable culture globally, and tell the Burton sustainability story to inspire an industry-wide movement.

To reduce our impact on the planet, we'll pair practical change with constant progression on the local and global scale. We're working to be as earth-friendly as possible by 2020, and these are our benchmarks for success:

• Achieve 20% CO2e footprint reduction at global HQs.
  
• Divert 75% of waste from landfill at global headquarters (we're already at 67%).
  
• Establish an end of life program at retail.
  
• Repair 40% of global product warranty claims (we're at 19%).
  
• All events must meet sustainability standards: Zero waste and carbon neutral Burton US Open.
  
• Actively speak out on policy issues that impact our people and the environment.
  

We know it's up to us to change the game. Inspired by the challenge ahead, we feel more fortunate than ever for the privately-owned nature of Burton. This is why we can pursue sustainability over profit, and why protecting the health of our community is our longest standing tradition.

This is what family's for. Follow us forward.