When thinking about the sustainability of REI's operations, the complexity of the task quickly becomes apparent. Where does a person start? <br /><br />At REI, applying metrics against our environmental performance has helped us challenge conventional thinking (i.e., the way we've always done it)—often in areas of our business that customers never see. <br /><br />Our annual stewardship report details one such area: our efforts to reduce REI's waste-to-landfill. <br /><br />We reported on our waste in tons in our annual Stewardship Report. Then we conducted a retail waste audit to better understand the details. To paint a picture, imagine this: Our teams literally went dumpster diving to get a real behind-the-scenes look at our trash. <br /><br />We confirmed what our retail employees had long assumed—plastic garment bags (also called polybags) were a major issue. <br /><br />A long-time retail industry standard—or, the way it was always done—has been to protect clothing in plastic bags during transport to stores. For ex
