Arc'teryx launches recommerce platform in sustainability drive

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Jun 19, 2019

Vancouver-based outdoor retailer Arc'teryx reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable design on Tuesday with the launch of the recommerce program, 'Rock Solid Used Gear'. 

 
The program will allow Arc'teryx to buy back used gear in good condition, to then clean and repair, and resell the items at a lower cost. 
 
The repurposing hub was designed to keep products in service as long as possible, while allowing customers to access technical gear for less and minimizing the brand's environmental footprint.

"We are framing sustainability as a design problem," explained Arc'teryx General Manager and President Jon Hoerauf, in a news statement. 
 
“Strictly focusing on building leading gear is no longer an option for us—we must apply the same design ethos to solving problems of broader social and environmental relevance. Great gear should be able to last through multiple users, and Rock Solid Used Gear is our solution.” 
 
In the U.S., customers can bring used gear into local Arc'teryx stores or use the online mail-in portal to start the trade in process. Once received, the gear will be assessed and only if it is deemed as lightly worn to excellent condition, with the inner label still attached, will it be eligible for the recommerce program. Customers will receive a gift card of 20 percent of the product's original retail price for their donation. 
 
The program is still being evolved, which is why the company said it is exploring circular solutions such as repurposing and upcycling for items that cannot be repaired to a functional state for the Rock Solid Used Gear program. 
 
Other outdoor brands such as Patagonia have recently launched their own repurposing programs. In 2017, it launched 'Worn Wear', which is described as an “online store” for used gear. Similarly, The North Face also has its own used gear store, called 'Renewed', that was launched last July.
 
Arc’teryx was founded in 1989. It was purchased in 2005 by Finland-based Amer Sports. It currently operates over 50 branded stores.