Outdoor Brands Reject Single-Use Plastics at Trade Show

TGR's own Jon Desabris is all about reusable drinking vessels.

Three times each year, the outdoor sports industry gathers for Outdoor Retailer, the sector's largest trade show. More than almost any other collection of companies, OR attendees depend on the great outdoors to sustain their businesses, so it makes sense that there would be a focus on sustainability. 

Related: Rob Machado Helped Launch the First 100% Biodegradable Cooler

There is certainly a focus on sustainable business practices and partnerships, but industry expert and SNEWS editor Kristin Hostetter noticed a concerning trend at the 2019 Outdoor Retailer Snow Show: Lots of single-use plastic. From bottles to packaging to cutlery, it was everywhere. 

With that in mind, she came up with a simple solution: The Plastic Impact Promise, a pledge for OR attendees, committing them to rejecting single-use plastic containers and bringing their own reusable drinking vessel. The pledge also welcomes non-attendees, who are encouraged to abide by the same rules at home. 

It makes perfect sense that the outdoor industry would be the first to hold a single-use-plastic-free trade show. Hopefully there will be significant buy-in from attendees, indicating that the industry is walking the walk as well as talking the talk. For all of our readers who aren't attending OR, we would encourage the use of reusable drinking vessels and rejection of single-use plastics whenever possible.