REI's Sustainability Rating:
Good
Good
Where REI is doing well: REI helps keeps garments out of landfill by offering a resale program and repair services across its own brand and any retailed brands. It offsets 100% of its operational emissions and has done so for more than a decade. Where REI has room to grow: REI's in-house brand, REI Co-Op, is still reliant on high emissions, fossil-fuel based synthetic materials.
Raw Materials
REI's in-house brand, REI Co-Op, uses a mix of low impact fibers, such as organic cotton and recycled polyester, and high impact fibers, like conventional cotton and virgin polyester, in its garments. Commons could not find evidence of plans to further reduce its use of high impact fibers.
Energy Use & Production
REI publishes publishes specific information about its renewable energy use at its stores and offices, and partially at its production facilities for its in-house brand, REI Co-Op. The brand has plans to expand its renewable energy use over the next decade. REI sources and manufactures materials for its own products globally, which is standard practice in the fashion industry.
Packaging & Distribution
REI has made efforts to reduce the amount of virgin plastic in its in-house brand packaging. Its eco-friendly packaging materials include FSC-certified material and certified post-consumer waste materials. It has made specific efforts to minimize packaging overall for its own brand.
Repair & Care
REI has a repair program and a gear rental program across its in-house brand and the brands it retails. REI doesn't offer a warranty, but offers a 1 year return window for members. It gives detailed and environmentally conscious care instructions for its in-house brand garments.
Take Back Programs
REI has a take back program that accepts any brand's clothes or shoes for resale.
Slow Fashion
REI's in-house brand, REI Co-Op, offers a core evergreen collection but also releases new items throughout the year.
Marketing
Commons is currently evaluating REI's marketing emails.
Transparency & Reporting
REI has a sustainability page last updated in 2024 with comprehensive information about its initiatives overall and for its in-house brand, REI Co-Op. REI also has a detailed annual report, with a clear, impact driven strategy and progress reporting. Its latest annual report is from 2023.
Emissions Tracking
REI is Climate Neutral certified by the Change Climate Project. It measures and publicly reports its company-level greenhouse gas emissions.
Emissions Targets
REI has medium to long-term reduction goals and has shared progress on these in the last year. It appears to be on track for some goals, but not for others. REI offsets emissions for all of its operational emissions (Scope 1-3, excluding customer use and external brands).
Supply Chain & Labor
REI publishes the names and locations of its supply chain partners for its in-house brand (Tiers 1 and 2) . It has a supplier code of conduct, which includes no forced labor, allowance for collective bargaining, and partner audits. It does not mention a living wage or restricting subcontracting.
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (harmful) to 5 (best). How we rate →
View sources
What did you think about this rating?
Share your feedback →
Get Rewards
Planning to shop at REI?
Commons rewards you for sustainable purchases from all our Top Rated brands, plus thousands of everyday purchases — from thrift stores to public transit.