The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is looking forward to ISPO at the end of the week, where signs of last year’s enthusiasm for the association continue to grow. Increased participants for the Plastic Pledge, more items for the Conservation Fundraiser and a panel talk to raise awareness about EOCA are just a few of the things to look forward to early on in this new decade.
EOCA’s Plastic Pledge, launched at Outdoor by ISPO in 2019, has not only been continued by those leading brands (members and non-members of EOCA) who signed up 7 months ago, but numbers have been enthusiastically boosted by 57% in the lead up to ISPO. The Pledge commits exhibitors to provide a source of drinking water on their stand at all times for visitors and staff, encourage the use of reusable mugs and crockery/cutlery items and eliminate single-use plastic on their stand. With over 70 signees to the Pledge to date, EOCA will, for the first time, be encouraging all visitors to ISPO to show their support as well. They are encouraged to make sure that they have their own reusable mugs, refuse single-use plastic items and show their commitment by signing EOCA’s Plastic Pledge for individuals on their stand (A2.100)
On Monday 27th January, EOCA will take part in the Nikwax Brands that do more Talk panel at 11.00 in the CSR hub, discussing sustainability from brands including Nikwax, VAUDE, The North Face and KEEN Footwear and helping to raise awareness of EOCA.
A number of members will be raising funds for EOCA on their own stands. Bergans of Norway (A2,216), will be hosting the Bergans Sewing Car to breathe new life into old products. Camelbak (A4.500) will be providing free coffee to all visitors who purchase or bring their own mug, and, back by popular demand, is the KEEN boot vending machine: the smallest shoe store in the world (A5.218)! Lastly, Schöffel, together with EOCA member Singtex, has produced an EOCA Plastic Free: Mountain to Sea t shirt made from leftover materials which will be available on its stand A1.302. The proceeds from all of these events will be going to EOCA.
Finally, the Conservation Fundraiser will be held throughout the show on EOCA’s stand, raising money to fund conservation projects this year. Products that have been generously donated to the association by its members include everything from ice spikes, to hats, hammocks and mosquito nets, not to mention a number of reusable cups, mugs and bottles for those who have forgotten to bring their own to the show and wish to take up the individual Plastic Pledge!
Tanya Bascombe, Joint General Manager of EOCA said, “EOCA had such a positive year last year, and grew enormously as an organisation, so it is fantastic to see the enthusiasm continuing already into the new year. We committed 46% more funds to conservation projects in 2019 than 2018 and are excited to see what is possible over this coming year as we continue to address plastic pollution issue as well as looking at how EOCA can address the climate emergency.”
INFO: EOCA
