Recycled, Recyclable, No VOCs are Just Part of the Story
[Seattle, WA, June 6, 2019]—Nikwax, the global leader in waterproofing and cleaning for outdoor performance gear and apparel, is unveiling a new booth at Summer OR that will raise the bar on sustainable design. Renewable and recycled materials will be used for the entirety of the booth. Additionally, the entire booth, including the structure, facade, furniture, hanging sign, and even the shipping crate will all be recyclable at the end of the booth’s useful life. The un-carpeted floor, which has now been adopted show-wide for the aisles, means less waste and materials. Stickers made from wood, which are durable, dishwasher safe and biodegradable, will be handed out in lieu of vinyl. Continuing on its 40+ years of sustainability across operations and product line, the booth will focus attention on the brand’s commitment to using 100% recycled plastic in its bottles, which will also continue to be recyclable.
Falconboard®, the main component of the booth, is primarily made from renewable forest resources and recycled materials. It is completely recyclable and produces no chlorofluorocarbons and emits no VOCs during manufacturing. Falconboard meets the requirements for sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) certification in North America and promotes closed loop recycling. It is baler friendly, renewable and reusable, lessens dependence on petroleum-based resins and decreases landfill waste.
“We’re excited to unveil a new booth that exhibits our long and evolving commitment to sustainability”, said Heidi Allen, VP Marketing, Nikwax NA. “Trade shows like OR oftentimes lead to huge expenditures of resources, and these can cause heavy impacts on the environment. By creating a fully recyclable booth, produced using sustainable materials, we hope to show that trade shows don’t have to mean piles of waste. We’re excited to be part of an industry and trade show that is working toward improvement in many meaningful ways. To all our friends at this upcoming show who are also taking steps on plastic and waste reduction, great work!”
Nikwax was also early to sign on to the Plastic Impact Challenge for Summer OR. In addition to employees committing to using their own mugs and water bottles, the brand will be hosting a water station for both people and dogs. Nikwax’s booth is 39095-UL. All are invited to stop by and check out the new design and learn more.
For over 40 years, Nikwax has consistently been at the forefront of addressing environmental issues associated with product ingredients, manufacturing operations, and packaging. It was the first aftercare company to have a fully water-based, solvent-free, waterproofing line and is the only outdoor company to have fully balanced its historical (40+ years) operational carbon emissions. The DNA of the brand is all about re-purposing and extending the life of outdoor gear and apparel, keeping it out of landfills, and allowing outdoorists to spend less on new gear and Do More outside.
About Nikwax
Nikwax was founded in 1977 by Nick Brown, an avid hiker and traveler, who designed his own waterproofing wax to keep his leather hiking boots dry. Today, Nikwax is the trusted global leader in environmentally safe aftercare solutions. Nikwax products extend the performance life of technical clothing, footwear and equipment. Nikwax’s 40+ year commitment to clean chemistry means not using PFCs or aerosols, and not testing on animals. The carbon balanced company’s product line is water-based and biodegradable. Nikwax North America is a subsidiary of Nikwax Ltd, a UK company. For media inquiries and more information, please contact Kate Ketschek at Revolution House Media, kate@revolutionhousemedia.com.
Nikwax® Commits to Using 100% Recycled Plastic in Product Bottles
[Seattle, WA, April 29, 2019]—Nikwax, the international market leader in technical cleaners and waterproofing products for outdoor performance gear and apparel, has announced its product bottles will be made from 100% recycled plastic by 2020. Understanding the challenges associated with plastic, the brand is not only committing to using 100% recycled plastic, but the bottles will also continue to be recyclable.
Nikwax’s Historical Commitment to Sustainability and the Environment
Since its founding in 1977, Nikwax has consistently been at the forefront of addressing environmental issues associated with product ingredients, manufacturing operations, and packaging. The brand has never used PFCs, ozone-damaging CFCs, or aerosols. It was the first aftercare company to have a fully water-based, solvent-free, waterproofing aftercare line and is the only outdoor company to have fully balanced its historical (40+ years) operational carbon emissions by restoring forest in Ecuador.
The Current Challenge - Addressing Plastic Pollution
Plastic is a huge problem in the natural environment, affecting our land, oceans, and rivers. While plastic is an extremely useful material, its disposal is a critical issue. Publicity about the scale of the problem has been increasing as we see images of mountains of plastic garbage on beaches and floating islands of plastic in the Pacific.
“We are all horrified by the images that we see on our news feeds of plastic pollution,” said Nick Brown, founder of Nikwax. “It is abhorrent to visit a wild space and find it polluted with unnatural waste. Plastic pollution is one of the problems we CAN solve through raising awareness, recycling, using new technology, and improving regulation. We hope to contribute to ultimately eliminating the problem without contributing further to climate change."
To help exclude plastic from nature, we can encourage a market for recycled and recyclable plastic. Nikwax’s goal is to do their part to take plastic out of the natural environment and reduce waste. Recycling and repurposing have always been part of Nikwax’s DNA. Its extensive line of washes and waterproofers extend the life of outdoor gear and apparel, keeping it out of landfills, and allowing outdoorists to spend less on new gear and to Do More, whether that’s camping, hiking, skiing, biking, or exploring.
Nikwax’s Commitment to Minimizing its Plastic Impact
- Reduce the amount of plastic required for packaging
- Make it easier to recycle plastics by avoiding mixing different kinds of plastic in one item
- Use recyclable plastic
- Use recycled plastic
Nikwax bottles have always been made of recyclable plastic, but by committing to making bottles from recycled plastic, Nikwax is helping promote a market for recycled material. The brand commits that by mid-2019, 85% of its bottle plastic will be recycled, and by the end of 2020, 100%.
About Nikwax
Nikwax was founded in 1977 by Nick Brown, an avid hiker and traveler, who designed his own waterproofing wax to keep his leather hiking boots dry. Today, Nikwax is the trusted global leader in environmentally safe aftercare solutions. Nikwax products extend the performance life of technical clothing, footwear and equipment. Nikwax’s 40+ year commitment to clean chemistry means not using PFCs or aerosols, and not testing on animals. The carbon balanced company’s product line is water-based and biodegradable. Nikwax North America is a subsidiary of Nikwax Ltd, a UK company. For media inquiries and more information, please contact Kate Ketschek at Revolution House Media, kate@revolutionhousemedia.com.
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