686 Technical Apparel | Sustainability

BUSINESS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD

We are committed to a continuous journey of improvement and positive contribution to the world we live and play in, and using our business as a force for good. B Corp Certification designates that we’ve met B Corp community standards of performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and environmental management to supply chain practices and input materials.

We are committed to a continuous journey of improvement and positive contribution to the world we live and play in, and using our business as a force for good. B Corp Certification designates that we’ve met B Corp community standards of performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and environmental management to supply chain practices and input materials.

A skier carves through deep snow on a steep slope, sending a dramatic spray of powder into the air, with only the tip of a ski visible amid the snowy burst.

A dramatic avalanche cascades down a steep, snowy mountainside, sending a cloud of snow and debris into the air under a dark and moody sky.

Progress driven by data

We believe that data driven decisions paired with hard work can reduce our environmental impact, so that the snow is just as deep for future generations as it is for us. Using accurate tools and data, we can measure and make decisions that reduce and offset our impact on people and the environment.

climate

100%

of corporate GHG emissions offset—totaling 8,850 tonnes of CO2e in 2024.

waste management

4.3

miles of fabric saved. Enough to make 4,058 units of product.

social responsibility

78%

of our factories now align with our codes of conduct.

Climate

Taking small steps everyday towards an improved tomorrow.

18,493

metric tons of CO2e generated and offset.

5.6

average kg CO2e used per yard of shell fabric

20

average kg CO2e generated during the apparel product lifecycle

Snow-covered mountain peak under a blue sky, with a forest of pine trees at the base and a smooth blanket of snow in the foreground.

Shell Materials

We measure our outerwear shell fabrics and evaluate carbon impacts during the fabric selection process. We use the Higg Index to determine the greenhouse gas impact of each yard of fabric, so we know how to reduce our footprint. Future season fabric selection can be based on not only price and performance—but also planet.

Emissions Reductions Targets

In 2024, we set science-aligned emissions reduction targets in line with a 1.5°C decarbonization pathway. We are committed to reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2032 from a 2024 baseline. We also plan to reduce our 2024 Scope 3 emissions intensity by cutting the amount of carbon per dollar in revenue by 58% by 2032.

Snow-covered mountain peaks rise under a clear blue sky, with pine trees scattered on the lower slopes and a thick layer of snow blanketing the foreground.

Waste Management

Engineering ways to create more with less.

75+

football fields of fabric saved

4,058

units of fabric saved—used toward additonal garments

87%

fabric cutting efficiency

A snowboarder rides down a snowy slope, kicking up a large cloud of powder. The sun shines brightly, illuminating the snow cloud with a faint rainbow of colors against a clear blue sky.

Efficiency

We take steps to increase our production efficiency of fabric used. By partnering with our factories we can analyze how to reduce fabric usage on every style we produce. This means that every year we save miles of fabric from going to the landfill and use this fabric in our products. This pioneering approach to sustainability only happens because of how deeply we care about sustainability and how respectfully we manage our supply chain relationships.

With our deep analysis we saved 7,568 yards of fabric—75 football fields and more.

Reclaim

Since 2013, in response to the wasted textiles that end up in landfills, we have found ways to create unique products from our own leftovers and scraps. Fabric that would normally be trashed is upcycled into limited edition garments.

686 Packaging Policy

686 is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our packaging by prioritizing recyclable materials, minimizing unnecessary packaging, and transitioning away from plastic where feasible.

We prioritize packaging materials that are recyclable or made from recycled content.

• VELA product bag: Made from 100% paper (glassine) and fully recyclable. E-commerce shipping bags: Made from 100% recycled material.
• Polybags: Made from LDPE plastic, which is recyclable where facilities exist.

To support proper disposal, our packaging includes recycling guidance for customers.

• How2Recycle® labeling is included on our VELA paper bags.
• Recycling symbols are also printed on polybags to indicate that the material is recyclable.

We aim to minimize the volume of packaging used throughout our supply chain.

• Products are flat packed and shipped in master polybags rather than individually wrapped, which significantly reduces the amount of packaging material used.
• We avoid excess packaging materials in shipping cartons.

We have two specific targets:

• 100% of goods to paper-based VELA bags by 2027, eliminating primary plastic packaging.
• 100% of packaging has the How2Recycle logo by 2028.

We are also aligned to California legislation to ensure at least 30% of our packaging is recyclable by 2028. We periodically review packaging materials and logistics practices to identify opportunities to further reduce environmental impact while maintaining product protection and shipping reliability.

Social Responsibility

Looking out and giving back. The outdoors is for everyone.

5,000

more than 5,000 people working in our factories

78%

of production audited via HIGG

13+

groups given back to over the past year

A person in a red and black jacket, tan pants, gloves, hat, and sunglasses smiles while standing in a snowy mountain landscape under a clear blue sky. Snow-covered trees and peaks are in the background.

Local to Global Philosophy

We have onboarded manufacturing partners responsible for nearly 80% of our production onto the Higg Facility Social and Labor Model, which will allow factories to have greater ownership in making lasting systemic changes that provide better wages, health, and safety to the workers who produce our products. It also allows us to benchmark scores across the industry. We will be assessing recruitment and hiring, working hours, wages and benefits, employee treatment, employee involvement, health and safety, termination procedures, management systems, and ensuring facilities are empowering people and local communities.

We know there are over 5,000 people employed by our manufacturing partners. We are trying to truly learn what we can do to improve their working conditions.

Factory Compliance

We have onboarded manufacturing partners responsible for nearly 80% of our production onto the Higg Facility Environmental Model, which will provide a clear picture of environmental impacts. This includes assessing environmental management systems, energy and greenhouse gas emissions, water use, wastewater, waste management, and chemical management.

By working towards reducing environmental impacts at our manufacturing partners, we are working to reduce environmental impacts in their surrounding communities as well. Those 5,000 workers live in communities that are affected by water pollution and air pollution. We have started to measure those impacts so we can reduce them.

Local Outreach Partners

We aim to make a difference in our local community. Every year we partner with organizations and charities to help drive accessibility in the outdoors.

During the past year, we have proudly supported the following: Hoods to Woods, Service Board, SOS, Riding on Insulin, STAY, Ron Finely Foundation, Boys & Girls Club Hollywood, Boys & Girls Club Watts/Willowbrook, Charity: Water, B4BC, Shred Foundation, Revert Foundation, and Skate Like A Girl.

Stakeholder Feedback

686 is committed to hearing from all stakeholders about our social, environmental, or governance practices. To submit feedback or concerns, please use the URL below or contact Ethics@686.com.

https://surveys.paylocity.com/Surveys/Public/Useraccess?returnUrl=https://surveys.paylocity.com/Surveys/Public/161216/Link/nxcwmo2hzbmla7a4re

Manufacturing Goods Isn’t Sustainable

It is important to state that 686 manufactures and produces goods. The production of goods is inherently not sustainable. We acknowledge that contradiction honestly. We are, however, committed to behaving in a way that is aware of our impact and tries to lessen it as much as possible to protect the ecosystem in which we sit.