REI Co-op speeds up climate action via new renewable energy projects and more sustainable materials

097f7e308620d84af0ca3a46ec48ce4c REI Co-op accelerates climate action through new renewable energy projects and more sustainable materials

In 2025, the co-op supported its broader sustainability work with innovative partnerships.

SEATTLE, Dec. 31, 2025 — Over the past year, the co-op took significant steps to lessen our impact on the planet and support the long-term well-being of the places and communities we love. This work reflects our climate strategy, bringing collaborative action together to drive change with speed and scale.

REI Co-Op Logo. (PRNewsFoto/REI)

“When companies collaborate, climate action becomes more tangible and enduring,” said Andrew Dempsey, Director of Sustainability, REI Co-op. “We’re thankful for the partners who’ve made this work possible. We’re focused on continuing this work and backing solutions that truly matter for communities and help keep the outdoors healthy for the future.”

A crucial part of the co-op’s efforts in 2025 supported local clean energy projects in the communities where we operate. Over the past year, we worked with partners to assist in developing several new renewable energy initiatives, including:

  • A new 2.5MW community solar project in Woodbury, MN being developed by. This initiative will enable nearly 500 low-to moderate-income households to subscribe to renewable energy, reducing utility bills and adding clean power to the grid near REI’s Bloomington store.
  • An aggregation with Carhartt and other partners, helping to speed up renewable energy development in Texas by adding 18.5 MW of solar energy to the grid.

Alongside new clean energy projects, we also made headway on work already in progress. In South Carolina, we celebrated the launch of a renewable energy project with, adding more clean power to the grid and building on previous investments.

Over the past year, REI extended its partnership with and, one of our largest U.S. manufacturing partners, through a new three-year renewable energy certificate purchase.

Our partnership with Sol Systems also expanded beyond energy. In 2025, we worked together to support environmental education at. Through the Community Impact Program, up to 48 high school students will participate in immersive, college-credit-bearing residential programs focused on climate resilience and ecosystem science.

Students will gain hands-on field experience studying South Florida’s wetlands, rivers, and coastal ecosystems, connect with environmental scientists, and return to their communities as ambassadors for climate resilience. The program builds on our renewable energy investments across Florida and shows how clean energy can support both people and the planet.

Supporting climate solutions grounded in nature

Over the year, we also took steps to support climate solutions that work in harmony with nature. REI became the first retail company to join the, a group working to accelerate the deployment of nature-based carbon removal like reforestation and agroforestry projects. These efforts help support healthy ecosystems while expanding access to climate solutions for organizations of all sizes.

Reducing impact through better materials

In addition to energy and climate solutions, we made progress in reducing the impact of the materials we use in REI Co-op brand products. REI signed a three-year agreement with Ambercycle to purchase 200 tons per year of their innovative cycora® regenerated polyester that uses recycled textile waste as a feedstock to make new, high-quality materials. This step will help REI cut emissions, reduce waste and move toward a more “circular” lifecycle for the products we make.

By pairing clean energy projects with community programs and choosing lower-impact materials, we continued to make practical progress across our climate work over the past year.

Learn more about our impact work at.

About the REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op’s many across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at, or the. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a. REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.

SOURCE REI Co-op

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