Ending the Cycle:
Sustainability
Initiatives

Did you know?

The state of camping gear today poses a significant challenge: not all equipment is eco-friendly. This stems from using materials such as plastics, synthetic fibers, harsh chemicals, and non-biodegradable components in manufacturing, coupled with inefficient production processes and limited recycling options. This lack of sustainability deeply impacts the environment, contributes to pollution, habitat degradation, and resource depletion.

Not to Mention:

Attendees often purchase camping supplies to use once because they are unable to transport the items back home. Which causes the items to be left behind, thrown away, or returned to a store which still may end up in the landfill regardless.

For our communities seeking to find joy and heal through music & nature - you would think this is a well known conversation, and yet it's not.

At Beyond House, we aim to change that.

The Impact

Non-eco-friendly camping equipment also ends up in natural environments, where they persist for hundreds of years, releasing harmful chemicals and microplastics into our living ecosystems. The extraction and production processes of such gear can also be unsustainable and exacerbate environmental harm.

Many may not realize that even the chemicals used to waterproof tents, backpacks, and fabrics can be harmful.

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are known for their water-repellent properties. They:

Are highly persistent in the environment, accumulating in soil, water, and organisms
Bioaccumulate, meaning they become more concentrated as they move up the food chain. For instance, when plastics enter the ocean and are subsequently consumed by fish, humans may also ingest them which causes sickness and unbalance in the ecosystem.
Have been linked to adverse health effects in wildlife and humans

Flame Retardants: Other Flame retardants have been known to have similar effects as well

Poly Bags: You know the little plastic baggies that normally cover each item within an assembling kit for a new product? Those are called poly bags. We don't want any more poly bags to end up in landfills, oceans, rivers, or any other waterways because they contribute to environmental pollution and harm aquatic ecosystems. Poly bags take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals and microplastics into the environment. These pollutants can endanger wildlife, contaminate water sources, and disrupt the balance of aquatic ecosystems, leading to long-term ecological damage and impacting human health.

At Beyond House, we are committed to addressing these challenges by partnering with organizations dedicated to sustainable innovation in outdoor gear.

We are actively seeking collaborations with companies prioritizing eco-friendly materials, responsible manufacturing processes, and end-of-life solutions like recycling and upcycling. Through these partnerships, we will drive the development and adoption of sustainable camping equipment, significantly reducing the environmental impact of outdoor activities while ensuring the preservation of nature for future generations.

Ending the Cycle

While Beyond House's approach of focusing on Reduce, Reuse, and Repurpose is effective in the short term for preventing waste and promoting sustainable practices, it's important to recognize that this is not a long-term strategic plan.

Our approach addresses the immediate needs by educating communities and entertainment venues and providing immediate support and resources.

However, for lasting change and the betterment of our planet, long-term solutions that incorporate sustainable practices, manufacturing responsibility, and recycling and upcycling programs are necessary. These long-term strategies will have a more significant and lasting impact on reducing environmental harm and fostering a truly sustainable future.

We will do this through 4 steps.

Step 1: Prevention

Our objective is to collaborate with sustainable gear companies to provide rental equipment for attendees. This initiative aims to minimize the disposal of gear in landfills and oceans, while also supporting companies actively engaged in making a positive environmental impact.

By offering a rental service, we contribute to reducing environmental waste and landfill accumulation. This approach also saves time during festival cleanup, reduces waste transportation, and decreases the carbon footprint associated with consumers traveling to and from stores.

Furthermore, a portion of the proceeds from this initiative will go towards sponsoring individuals in need and supporting social services, homeless shelters, and community initiatives. This multi-faceted approach aligns with our mission to promote sustainability, support underserved communities, and minimize environmental impact.

Step 2: Donation

Camping tents and equipment will undergo thorough inspection to assess their condition and potential for cleaning, repair, restoration, and reuse. Items deemed suitable will be sorted and distributed to communities facing challenges such as homelessness, as well as to individuals seeking nature for enrichment, healing, or educational purposes.

These pickup sites will keep goods out of landfills and into the hands of people who need them.

Items that are not eligible for reuse or donation will be repurposed into innovative and creative alternatives. We may sell, repurpose, or recycle these items to ensure responsible disposal or artistic utilization.

Step 3: Outreach

We will coordinate with event coordinators, festival creators, venues, cities, attendees, local businesses, and communities to bridge the gaps for sustainable best practices and waste reduction.

Examples of such initiatives include but are not limited to: working with food vendors to implement a discount program for individuals bringing their own utensils, connecting vendors to biodegradable products, composting, recycling vendor bottles, cleanup efforts, and to other sustainable initiatives.

Step 4: Education

Coming soon!

Ending the Cycle: Sustainability Initiatives