Pearl Izumi Announces Social Purpose For 2019 and Beyond

Pearl Izumi has just announced a new Social Purpose program along with some prodigious sustainability goals in the future. Their first initiatives going into effect this year include the industry’s first-ever effort to eliminate multiple hangtags and ending printed catalogs essentially. PEARL iZUMi will also introduce sustainable technical fabrics in many of the Spring 2019 apparel lineup, made from responsibly-sourced Merino wool and Reprieve recycled polyester. Their goal by 2020 is that 30% of their product line will be made from recycled, renewable, or organic materials, and by 2022, their goal is a whopping 90%. PEARL iZUMi has always made excellent products, and I am proud to have used them over them over the years, and this exceptional Social Purpose statement is a glowing testament to their superb corporate goals, congratulations.

Press Release

PEARL iZUMi, the world’s leader in cycling apparel and footwear, announces an elevated focus on actions to positively impact the environment and riding communities. The defining perspective for this increased alignment of efforts is captured in a new Social Purpose statement:

Because we believe how we live shapes how future generations ride, we pledge to Ride More and Do More.

Chris Sword, PEARL iZUMi’s president, expands on why this is so meaningful to the brand: “Put simply, this is who we are. PEARL iZUMi was founded on, and we deeply believe in, two things: the love of cycling and more importantly, love for future generations. Our unique connection to the environment comes from clear mountain springs (Izumi), and our name means ‘fountain of pearls’. And this social purpose is our mantra to be proactive in ways that clearly connect to our Mission – Unlock the Power of Inspiration and Impact.”

Sword continues, “this is ‘important’ because our team cares deeply about it. We are leading the industry in sustainability and environmentally-friendly actions, and we’ve had 60+ years of positive influence on cycling. But we can do much more because it can be ‘powerful’ if we focus, align our efforts, and take an approach that is uniquely PEARL iZUMi.”

The brand also clearly recognizes it’s critical to translate how this deep desire will translate into a significant net-positive effect. Geoff Shaffer, VP of Global Brand Marketing explains, “As a world-leading cycling company and cyclists ourselves, we see our power to leverage the truly positive aspects of cycling, combined with how we approach the business of cycling. To bring that power to life, inspired by our origins and the concept that ‘oil-and-water don’t mix,’ we’re motivated to find proactive solutions to oil dependence. We aim to use our business practices, products and advocacy to reduce the consumption of oil – and embolden all of us to ride more and do more.”

From there, the brand recognizes the real impact comes from what they do. Impactful examples include the industry’s first-ever effort to essentially “eliminate” hangtags. Effective January 2019 the brand will only attach one card, at the smallest size that can still be recycled, to capture critical codes and pricing information. “We feel that with all of the digital resources available, relying on a large hangtag to communicate product details is outdated and they generate a surprising amount of our total packaging waste,” said Sword. The new hangtags use 19,400 lbs less paper, saving 165 trees, 68,082 gallons of water and 4,503 gallons of oil annually. In addition, all new polybag packaging will shift to 100% recycled plastic, which can be recycled again, further reducing petroleum use.

As an additional effort to reduce waste and provide stronger support for retailers, PEARL iZUMi no longer prints product catalogs. Starting with the Spring 2019 season, sales representatives and dealers have access to a fully-featured digital platform to help retailers make more informed purchasing decisions. This will save 41 trees, 16,800 gallons of water, and 1,111 gallons of oil each season through the elimination of paper alone.

 

Notable product initiatives include a Renewal Workshop partnership to repair and resell PEARL iZUMi warranty returns, giving gently used products a second life instead of adding to the landfill. In addition, new sustainable technical fabrics will be introduced for Spring 2019, made from responsibly-sourced merino and Reprieve recycled polyester. By 2020, 30% of the PEARL iZUMi line will be made of recycled materials. And by 2022, the brand plans 90% of the total product line will be made from recycled, renewable or organic materials.

These latest initiatives are a continuation of PEARL iZUMi’s long-standing commitment to the environment. The PEARL iZUMi headquarters, built in 2013 and located in Louisville, Colorado, was designed to integrate and celebrate the natural landscape of Colorado. It utilizes abundant natural lighting, ideal solar orientation, and natural ventilation to create a more sustainable, comfortable, and inspiring environment.

Last spring, PEARL iZUMi earned Gold recognition from the City of Louisville, Colorado in the Louisville Green Business Program and Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE).

“We recently went through a deep and heartfelt process to uncover our core company values,” said Sword. “Opinions were solicited from all corners of the business, and we heard consistently that a sustainable future is an absolutely critical part of our DNA. This new Social Purpose statement will galvanize us and accelerate the great work that is already underway. I think the cycling industry underestimates the positive impact it can have on people and the environment, and we intend to think big and take bold steps with sustainable business practices, products, and advocacy.”

To hear more from the PEARL iZUMi employees behind these ambitious sustainability efforts, check out the 8-part Social Purpose series on the PEARL iZUMi blog.

Learn more about PEARL iZUMi’s Social Purpose efforts here. Follow PEARL iZUMi as they Ride More, Do More on Instagram @pearlizumiofficial, on their blog and sign up for the newsletter at pearlizumi.com.