Adventure inspires us to see the world and make it better. Want to join us in trying to make the world a better place? We’ve rounded up 10 ways to Do Good for people, planet, and with the products you choose. 

Do Good With Your Gear

1. Take good care of your gear

Start by choosing durable, high-quality products that last. This is an investment that saves you money in the long run and reduce your contribution to landfills (Yvon Chouinard does a great job explaining this).

That’s why we build Cotopaxi products to be durable enough to last a lifetime. All our gear is also Guaranteed For Good—meaning we ensure it will last through our repairs/exchanges policy, warranties, and our repairs program.

You can do your part by taking good care of your products, which includes following washing/cleaning/drying instructions and storing properly. Here are some helpful pointers on caring for different types of products: 

• How to care for insulated jackets
• How to care for fleece
• How to care for hydration packs
   

2. Buy ethically & sustainably made products

Look for companies that put people and planet before profit. Depending on what type of product you’re buying, certifications like 1% for the Planet, B Corp, USDA Organic, Forest Stewardship Council, bluesign® approved, Rainforest Alliance, Responsible Down Standard, and Fair Trade^TM are great ways to ensure that the product you’re purchasing (or the company you’re buying from) is doing more good than harm.

Take a deep dive into the details before you buy. Look at the materials a product is made from. Ideally, it’s made from as few virgin materials as possible. For example, at Cotopaxi we rely heavily on recycled materials and leftover deadstock fabric that might have otherwise ended up in the landfill.

If factory info is available, do some research to find out if the factory is Fair Trade certified or treats workers well. If no information is available, it’s safe to assume ethical manufacturing may not be a priority. 

For edible and topical products, we’ve been loving the free app Yuka for finding out how many unwanted chemicals (as well as harmful ingredients) are in any given product. 

3. Friends don’t let friends send used gear to the landfill

Have you heard about the massive heap of clothing steadily growing in Chile’s Atacama Desert? Did you know the average person in the U.S. throws away 81.5 lbs of clothing a year?

Be part of the solution by not sending apparel you don’t want anymore to the landfill. Here are a few things you can do with used clothing or gear instead:

• Donate it: Find a local shelter that accepts donations. Many thrift stores like Goodwill accept bags of used clothing and other products that can be sold at an affordable price. 
• Sell it: Consigning your used styles is a great way to make a little money and stretch the lifespan of your stuff. If you’ve got Cotopaxi gear or apparel, you can trade it in via Cotopaxi Más Vida and get a digital gift card in return. ThredUp, depop, and Poshmark are great options for other apparel, footwear, and accessories. 
• Recycle it: Several companies out there offer bags that you can fill up with clothing and textiles to be recycled. Retold Recycling has a single bag that starts at $14.50 and Trashie bags start at $20. Both also offer multi-bag packs (split with a buddy!) or subscription services. 
   

Do Good For People

4. Get involved in your local community

Getting involved in your local community can make you feel more connected—sign up for a community garden, shop at your local market, or actually get to know your neighbors.

Not sure where to start? Hit up your local Cotopaxi store (if there’s one in your area). Some stores have Community Bulletins toward the back, or you can ask the retail guides at any store about upcoming donation drives, volunteer opportunities, or other community events. 
 

5. Make outdoor adventures more inclusive  

Love getting outdoors? So do we. We also believe that everyone should enjoy the same access to the outdoors. In many ways, that starts with the outdoor industry, which is why we’re a founding member of the new Outdoor Diversity Alliance.

Do what you can to make historically underrepresented or excluded groups of people feel welcome outside. Volunteer your time as a guide for underrepresented youth, or invite a friend who didn’t grow up with an outdoor lifestyle to come on an adventure with you.

If you need some inspo, check out our Do Good ambassador Vanessa’s story about summiting Pico de Orizaba—Mexico’s tallest volcano—with a diverse crew of partners. 
 

6. Support a more equitable world 

The glut of bad news these days can feel overwhelming and it’s easy to want to tune out. But studies show that doing some good can actually make you feel less stressed. This could look like volunteering to support folks near you, making a donation to a nonprofit, or finding another creative way to help out.

The cause we’re committed to at Cotopaxi is helping people impacted by poverty, particularly in Latin America and the United States. If you’re looking for some worthy nonprofits to support, check out the incredible impact partners at the Cotopaxi Foundation. 1% of your purchase will go toward our Foundation and its partners, but you can also add an additional donation to your order or donate directly without making a purchase. 

7. Be a voluntourist

One of our favorite ways to see the world is by doing some good along the way, whether that’s the primary purpose of our travels or we just want to build a few hours of service into a trip. Volunteer World is a great place to find volunteer opportunities around the world.

Disaster relief is another way to travel while providing service. Organizations like All Hands and Hearts provide free room and board in exchange for your labor in places that have recently experienced natural disasters or humanitarian crises.

You can also find low-key, impromptu ways to do good on your trip, like picking up trash at the beach, supporting a local artist, or donating to a museum that you visit. Get some ideas from our friend Lexi, who found a different way to Do Good across all seven continents during her year of traveling. 
 

Do Good For The Planet

8. Travel responsibly

Although travel may come with an environmental and financial cost—looking at you, flight fuels—it’s an important way to connect with people around the world. And we believe these connections inspire us all to make the world a better place. In other words, it’s worth it!

Just try to travel in a way that minimizes impact on the planet and supports local communities.

Not sure where to start? Check out our friend Lauren’s 10 tips on how to travel sustainably. Plan your trip in a way that supports the local communities you’re visiting (this is known as “community-based tourism”). And find out about the “Think Like A Local” ethos of travel (kind of like a “Leave No Trace,” but for travelers instead of outdoorists). 
 

9. Break up with plastic

Whether you’re taking on a Plastic-Free July challenge or just looking to reduce plastics in general, sustainability advocate Lauren shared some awesome advice with us on how to reduce your plastic use. 

10. Advocate for the causes you care about

Small actions add up to big change. Signing a petition, calling up your elected officials, attending a march, or hosting a fundraiser are all great ways to make your voice heard. Pick your cause, choose an action that feels good for you, and next thing you know, you can call yourself an advocate.

One cause close to our hearts at Cotopaxi is the fight to eradicate malaria. We’ve started a new tradition here of sending a Cotopaxi team to the annual advocacy summit of our partner United to Beat Malaria, where we lobby congress to increase funding for this critical cause. Based on what we learned from that experience, we’ve rounded up a guide to becoming a grassroots activist to help you get started on your own advocacy adventure.