REI: The Myth of Corporate Responsibility

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In this Our Changing Climate environmental video essay, I look at the corporate environmental and ethical actions of Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI co-op) as well as their corporate responsibility structure in order to decide whether they are a co-op. REI co-op claims they are a member-based co-op, yet members have very little say in how the company is run. As such, the co-op name that REI co-op uses seems more like a marketing ploy than an actual business structure. In addition, this video looks at the environmental causes and plans put in place by REI co-op. While they are ambitious in their drive for "Corporate Responsibility", these methods seem to be in line with what their customers want to see, which ultimately means more sales and growth.
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Resources:
1. Protecting Our Public Lands (REI): www.rei.com/stewardship/prote...
2. Climate Change & Our Environmental Impact (REI): www.rei.com/stewardship/clima...
3. Corporate responsibility: Is conscious capitalism a sham? (Anand Giridharadas via Big Think): bigthink.com/videos/is-corpor...
4. Is Diversity Just a Marketing Strategy for Gear Brands? (Outside Online): www.outsideonline.com/2328831...
5. The State of Diversity in Environmental Organizations (Dorceta E. Taylor): www.diversegreen.org/wp-conte...
6. REI Operations & Adventures Greenhouse Gas Emissions (REI): www.rei.com/assets/stewardshi...
7. With Customers Focused on Sustainability, REI Will Expand Gear Rentals and an Online Resale Shop (Fortune): fortune.com/2019/10/23/rei-co...
8. How REI has managed to lead with its values and still turn a profit (Business Insider): www.businessinsider.com/rei-c...
9. Patagonia's Unapologetically Political Strategy and the Massive Business It Has Built (Inc): www.inc.com/lindsay-blakely/p...
10. As the REI outdoor gear co-op thrives, does it have members or merely shoppers? (Anchorage Daily News): www.adn.com/business/article/...
11. The Soul of a Corporation (NY Times): www.nytimes.com/2017/04/07/op...
12. With Millennials In Mind, Outdoor Retailer REI Doubles Down On Rentals And Used Gear Sales (Fortune): www.forbes.com/sites/andriach...
13. Executive Compensation (REI): www.rei.com/assets/about-rei/...
14. Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the Apparel Industry - The Case of Manomama (Plieth et al): pure.leuphana.de/ws/files/2346...
15. Opt to Act Plan (REI): www.rei.com/blog/stewardship/...
16. REI Co-op announces record financial results, major expansion of rentals and used gear (REI): newsroom.rei.com/news/corpora...
17. Expecting Warm Embrace, REI Chief Is Harangued in Reddit Forum (NY . Times): www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/bu...
18. REI History: It Started With An Ice Axe (REI): www.rei.com/blog/camp/rei-his...
19. As REI thrives, does it have members or merely shoppers? (Seattle Times): www.seattletimes.com/business...
20. REI Board of Elections Results for 2018 (REI Employees for Real Change): / 1934593823519891
#REI #OptOutside #CorporateResponsibility

[@OurChangingClimate]

Are you an REI member? How do you feel about the company? Also, I just created an email list! You can sign up here if you want: www.subscribepage.com/ourchangingclimate

[@jacksonbangs6603]

Yes I am an REI member, but ever since I started driving I found less need for bicycle equipment.

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

Please do one on Decathlon.

[@frog995]

"we can't shop our way out of climate change." This is honestly the quote that hit home for me today. Very nice video as always :)

[@ex_orpheus1166]

What if you buy from small businesses rather large corporations?

[@frog995]

I certainly feel that buying from small businesses is better than buying from large companies. I like supporting local businesses and I feel like local and homemade goods are better for the environment. But to me, that wasn't the point of his overall statement. We buy from companies expecting them to plant trees for us, push for change for us, and show others how eco-friendly we are. But at the end of the day, things like that shouldn't replace us pushing for our local and state government to be better.

[@dillondunning8415]

The thing I think cooperations should do is that they would like is to raise prices on products then use that profit to protect the environment because the corporations are created for profit and charities are places with no profit which you can donate your money too.

[@whyillustrated5610]

@@ex_orpheus1166 If all consumption at our current rate shifts to small businesses those small businesses then just become the large corporations eventually. You're totally right. But I think the real change happens in reducing consumption, and the few things you absolutely have to buy, buy from small businesses.

[@karnubawax]

We won't recycle our way out of it either. What climate activists are saying is nothing more than, "Trust us." We are being asked - and in some cases compelled - to make massive changes in our lives on a slim chance that maybe these efforts will stop climate change - without even the slightest evidence that they will actually work. It's almost like a religion. We just have to trust in the collective power of our morally superior intellects and everything will magically change - again, without the slightest evidence. I do not deny that climate change is real. But I have very serious doubts whether you - or anyone - being able to do anything about it. We are not going to fight mother nature and win. What we need to be putting our energy into is what human beings have always done best... adapting. We cannot stop this. But we can adapt to it. We've adapted to much worse with much less.

[@lauraelizabethbrown]

I think the bigger problem is how our culture views shopping. We can't shop our way to climate change, but the point of buying expensive gear and outdoor clothing from REI is to have the outdoor supplies that will last you from 5-20 years. Don't stop buying, just buy quality and buy what you need and avoid excess. And remember REI is just a for-profit business--it's not a charity.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

You are generally correct. An REI tent that costs twice as much as an Amazon tent will likely last you 10 times as long. Good post.

[@JoseRicardo-te9gx]

You should do a video on MUJI! They're a japanese company that takes pride in sustainability with their products but I'm not sure they're 100 percent sustainable.

[@eruno_]

I wish genuine co-ops would be more prominent in our world

[@axeldt183]

cash is king my friend

[@user-rt8sh7xt1d]

Careful my dude. Dont want to challenge the current economic system

[@Sivah_Akash]

@@user-rt8sh7xt1d, we need to!

[@fuxan]

Simple...it can be at any level. If basic needs are met, if say my skill with propagating plants can easily help create more plants I can just give them away with no reason to get anything back other than they learn more about native plants and hopefully helping our world be smarter.

[@kenlandon6130]

there are real coops doing real work. drivers coop for example. Ocean's Spray, land of lakes...

[@katrijndekeersmaecker1904]

Wait, they define zero waste as 90% not going to a landfill? Well I guess under that definition my whole country is zero waste. Belgium isn't bad at recycling at all, and the non recyclable waste we produce is 'energetically valorised'. Yeah, basically that means we burn our trash. Sure, the energy released by the burning is used to generate electricity, but it isn't exactly an efficient system. You could do a lot worse than Belgium when it comes to garbage management, but calling it zero waste is stretching the term a bit too far. You can't just make 'zero waste' cover 'only 10% goes to landfills' without tearing some huge holes in the concept.

[@polkatolka]

I am an REI member and also a sociology major, so I am more than familiar with this kind of employee and environment friendly marketing BS. They present the face they know their base of customers want to see. Unfortunately a lot of people are still being lulled to sleep with this idea that we can shop our way out of climate change, that change comes down from on high- which is the kind of win win "change" these big companies and rich individuals try to push, as Anand so eloquently points out. I knew REI wasn't a true co-op but this video presents that very well. Nicely done!

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

You are completely correct.

[@gcvrsa]

I have been a member of the "co-op" for approximately 25 years. I don't remember exactly how long, but I joined after I moved to Philadelphia in 1991, so probably around 1992-1994. Over the years, I have become disgusted with the fact that virtually everything sold at REI is made from petrochemicals, and not from natural materials or even from truly recyclable materials. I now live in a place where the nearest REI store is over 100 miles away, which removes the temptation. The fact of the matter is, any organisation which focuses on wilderness rather than urban areas is not doing the right kind of work to preserve wilderness or the environment, in general. What we as a species need more than anything right now is to consolidate our impact into highly dense settlements and reverse sprawl. But REI is in the business of selling outdoor recreation equipment, primarily to people who wish to portray an image of wilderness competence, or at least the pretense thereof, and so while they do a bang-up business selling overpriced high tech parkas to Amazon HQ employees, they are also stroking the egos of the very people most likely to engage in the most environmentally damaging lifestyles and activities.

[@theinternetbutler]

amen.

[@arianewell6252]

This is very well said.

[@a_boundless_plangency]

i'm in

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

You bring up a very valid point. As someone who works at REI I can assure you that REI does carry more natural materials that most places. But this exact subject is very clearly pointed out in this video here, how just because it's _better_ than somewhere like Dick's Sporting Goods, Cabellas, etc. doesn't mean it's ideal. Or even the company is truly doing all it could.

[@karnubawax]

@@PhilAndersonOutside The "ideal" is a fantasy that has no chance of happening.

[@TheWerecatboy]

I've worked at REI for nearly 3 years now and was a loyal customer for years prior. If you saw just how much plastic waste one store makes in one delivery day you would be appalled. All of the plastic you produce in like 6 months, one truck for one store will produce. It's insane. REI is more green than most but generally speaking it's all just marketing to seem ecofriendly. They're trying and failing to do better. Also they've been treating their employees quite poorly over the pandemic.

[@worldchangingvideos6253]

Do they recycle all the plastic packaging or send it back at least?

[@Kmanjr0]

I just tried to buy a pair of recycled boots and was made to feel less than because I wasn’t a member I don’t like buying stuff all the time so probably wouldn’t be using the membership other than for this one purchase it was embarrassing and annoying how incredibly callous the whole experience was I’m a starving artist and wanted some sturdy shoes for work and putting Christmas lights on roof but instead I’m just going risk it with my sneakers and not return to REI.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

@@worldchangingvideos6253 Yes. There is an attempt to recycle by employees. I think the OP was pointing out that a LOT of packaging arrives at REI in boxes that are stuffed with plastic, when there are far better, and massively greener ways to do this.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

@@Kmanjr0 My apologies to you. Upper management at REI in recent months has determined that employees must sell more memberships. To accomplish this, employees in some stores and areas are told if they do not, they will be scheduled less hours. This is NOT a conscious decision by the green vests you see on any given day, it is put upon them by upper management.

[@lilac6257]

I've never heard of REI, but this video is interesting nonetheless

[@TylerAndToast]

It's honestly a super cool store. I'm a member. They do a lot. Sure buying is still buying which has a footprint, but you should check them out

[@jackchan1621]

Shooting film has gotten more popular in the last few years among younger generations but yet the ethics of it are often left out. It would be very interesting to look at the environmental impact of making film stocks, developing film with different chemicals and printing photo books, etc. Just an idea :)

[@worldchangingvideos6253]

Super toxic chemicals.

[@Anewevisual]

Lol

[@DougGrinbergs]

Boulder REI store used to have a community room, which regularly hosted slide shows, book talks on outdoor activities and environment. Alas, it's been turned into bike rental area. Sure, I appreciate having bike rentals but I really miss the community gathering and presentation space.

[@worldchangingvideos6253]

👏

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

As an REI employee we miss them a lot too, and hear from customers quite a bit. There was talk that community rooms, as well as outside events would come back post-Covid, but outside of a few events with 3rd party groups (which were filled immediately) that's about it, sadly.

[@Jaeger1S]

I worked at REI for three years and even found myself in lower level management during that time. REI carries a lot of quality gear, but their focus is placed entirely on “member conversion” and growth. Their marketing platform is structured around virtue signaling, with the idea of a cooperative at the very center. They absolutely do give “scraps” rather than substantial amounts, relative to their bottom line. They are very creative with their wording, claiming that 70% of their profits are donated; but this is very far from honest. Their employees are not expected to be knowledgeable, but are absolutely expected to push the sale of memberships as hard as possible. They simply do not emphasize training outside of member conversion. All in all, I did enjoy a lot of my time there, simply because I’m an avid outdoorsman. But seeing behind the curtain, I can absolutely say that we are all being taken for a ride by REI. Their growth matters more to them than climate change, public spaces, or actual inclusivity and access.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Excellent post Drinky. It's gotten worse since you left, I assure you. In fact, employees hours are cut if they do not sell enough memberships. This has created an at times cutthroat business atmosphere. I have heard and read many times now about two things you point out, some directly from customers: 1) Why does REI shove memberships in everyone's face? One customer (already a member) quipped to me, "this smells like capitalist desperation. Not REI." I didn't say anything, of course, but my thought was, "this is the new REI." 2) There are handfuls of staff in almost every REI that do know a LOT about the outdoors, and most equipment and clothing in the store, and how to use it, some are legitimate experts. But there are plenty who are new, and only receive minimal training, with the company in may ways expecting the senior, experienced workers to just teach the others, for "free". I say for free, because these vastly experienced workers aren't necessarily sales leads, they may not even get better pay, or more hours. All one needs to do is look at the board of directors, their backgrounds. It's no different than the board at companies like Comcast, Equifax, Wells Fargo, etc.,

[@MrRainKane]

Would you do Patagonia next? What brands do you support?

[@G33kyminecraft]

Love all of your videos, I orginally thought the audio voice overs were monotone and uninspiring but your recent videos have been vocal and motivating, keep up the good work OCC!

[@KarolaTea]

Thank you for this video! I hadn't heard about this company before, but it's still interesting!

[@daniellim1253]

Just wanted to say that you've made a huge impact on critical analysis in my life dude. Stopped so many purchases that I would have gone forward with and regretted after watching your videos. Keep putting out awesome and well thought out content! Rooting for you and for us as a planet!

[@GTS300Coupe]

I just found your channel I'm addicted to watching your videos

[@LadyOfRain1]

I'd love to see you to one on a Canadian version of this, MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-Op). They started out the same, but I'd love to see if they went the same way or stuck to their roots.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Since your post, MEC has gone through numerous financial struggles, and ownership/management changes. They were hit hard by Covid, sold to an American investment company in 2020 and I honestly don't know how they are doing, or who honestly runs them or what their structure now is, though they are still in business.

[@howyay]

This needs to be seen more

[@gweegoop7781]

I agree that REI, like all other businesses, is completely disingenuous when they claim to be sustainable. But I would still rather shop there than Amazon.

[@monorovic]

I always enjoy your video, sometimes I forgot what the videos are all about, just watching the aesthetic... :D

[@TheLionEric]

MEC in Canada was based off of REI after they fell in love with it down south. They're also having simular issues with growth and chasing other sellers out of the market. MEC is one of the big reasons small local shops mention when closing down.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

The primary ownershp of MEC also sold to an American investment firm during Covid.

[@SustainablySavvy]

Fantastic video! I agree wholeheartedly with the fact that we cannot shop our way out of climate change. Buying a t-shirt is not the answer.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

I found this very informative. I've considered starting a grass-roots campaign to get on the board of directors. Not only do I work on the floor at an REI, I have extensive backcountry and outdoor experience, as well as corporate experience working in finance and marketing. Seems like I could be an ideal candidate. But the gauntlet to get on the board seems impossible. Up through 2020 it appeared as though one could "apply" through an online form, but from what I can tell, even that has been rescinded. It appears the board has a committee that selects nominees, and that's it. This seems like a far, far cry from the spirit of REI, and how it was founded and run for decades. This now looks more like the board of companies like Comcast, Wells Fargo, Equifax, etc.

[@jordangauger3515]

My fiance and I are both REI members and our dividends help us purchase better gear. Their house brand rivals other outdoor brands, not quite as good as MSR but very close. I like their in-house clothing line as well. I do see a decline in the actual co-op nature, and I believe the company is straying away from its original mission a bit.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Thanks for sharing. Good post. We see the same.

[@matthewcollins4764]

Wow so long without a video thought you quit

[@drewkilman9393]

I love your voice, its so soothing! As always, expert commentary and amazing video!!!

[@kaatboermans5041]

I would love to see a video on dr. bronner's.

[@aLena14x]

such a good idea!

[@worldchangingvideos6253]

Good soap but likely overpriced.

[@freiac4645]

Great video!

[@aptorres01]

Great wrk guys thank you

[@ArkinMC]

Thoughtful

[@popps33]

Growth is something you say about Cancer. Hyper Consumer economics is at the root of our ecological problems

[@logangarcia]

I liked the original title :) I didn't know REI had memberships

[@joe_zupko]

REI is an awesome store, but their stuff is so damn expensive I rarely buy anything there. It's basically for the ritzy people driving hybrids who wanna look outdoorsy

[@dustinnance6817]

JAYZUPP I found it funny the limited stock of ice axes and crampons. They literally carry a super limited supply of the thing that started the business because 60$ north face shirts sell better.

[@joe_zupko]

@@dustinnance6817 I get my outdoor gear at the thrift store unless they have sales at REI haha

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

True. But REI does have some good sales, and the membership does help with prices when you have to pay MSRP. REI has tried to expand it's customer base, but your criticism is valid.

[@joe_zupko]

@@PhilAndersonOutside If you're just into casual outdoor stuff it can be tough to justify most of the items like bikes and kayaks, but I really like the clothing they offer since it's something you're gonna use all the time. The REI base layers are super good

[@desmondbrown5508]

This topic has been a warning from eastern and traditional communists for awhile now. Co-ops are better than classical hierarchical capitalist businesses for various reasons, many of which include the fact that everyone becomes a more direct stakeholder and consequently beneficiary, thus there is lower exploitation (not zero, just less) and worker's needs are met far better, typically. But it isn't the end all panacea to the problems of market systems, primarily because the core incentive of a capitalist market isn't removed. If everyone benefits from the core incentive of profits made by the co-op, instead of just a few at the top, but the incentive causes ecological damage and other externalized harms because those aims are secondary at best... then you haven't really gotten to the root of the problem... and it's possible that it becomes even harder to change because (whether perceived or real) more people are benefiting from the harm being done until it's too late to fix and convincing them to pull out of it or change the direction is that much more difficult since so many more benefit from the profits generated. And of course, as the video alludes to, co-ops, because they run on market models, are not immune to classical capitalist outcomes, such as consolidation of power and wealth.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

In the most true Marxian economic definition, what you say is valid. The crux of Marx belief (in Das Kapital, his seminal work) is that workers should be in control over the means of their production and service provided. A worker co-operative fits into this. So does an employee owned business, a family owned business, a farm co-operative, self-employment. These can still be traded, bartered, sold on an open market, as needed. As the worker/owners see fit. When people use the term "Marxist" in the US most have never read a single word of Marx, and just think of snippets from the Communist Manifesto (where Marx and Engles were hired by a group to write, in reaction to the British Empire of lords and cerfs using capitalism in the same way, as well as slavery, calling the workers "wage slaves". Keeping in mind there were almost ZERO labor laws when it was written). Or critcis look at somewhere like North Korea, and somehow think that's Marxist. Karl Marx wold have been thoroughly disgusted by totalitarian dictatorships like this that pilfored his name. Reading Das Kapital, even if one skims over all the math, can be quite eye opening. There are Marxian economists today, post-Althusserian perspective economists, who go into great detail how Marxist economic concepts can apply in the world today, certainly without closing all markets, and socializing all businesses. Co-ops (specifically worker co-ops) are almost always part of that equation.

[@Flocusen]

what music is used at 3:40? it's really good

[@KbB-kz9qp]

Don’t mean to sound negative, but the climate will change; it always does, and no we will not be at “zero carbon” by 2050. That said, there a lot we can do to reduce our collectively bad effects on our common home. You are correct that one should not rely on some righteous-sounding corporations to do the heavy lifting; they won’t, because as a matter of fact they are not designed for that. You often cite Norway as an example of greening a country. Norway subsidizes all of her green efforts with revenues from heavy taxes on the oil industry. Another option is to nationalize the Oil industry, which would mean profits going directly to Government, supposedly to fund Green projects.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Valid point. But I'm perhaps more optimistic than you are. I believe by 2050 not only will hydrogen power be low cost, I believe nuclear fusion will be solved, and up and running. This, coupled with biomass, solar, and wind, will start to greatly reduce carbon output globally. And I mean by an enormous amount. But true "carbon zero"? I think that's a dream, at least in our lifetimes.

[@willvanmoss6664]

Would love to see a video on Earth Hero the online “zero-waste”, “carbon neutral” company.

[@DougGrinbergs]

So many valuable links here in case any Wikipedians would care to update REI article.

[@ScarecrOmega]

Is MEC a co-op or the same boat as REI? I think that's the Canadian version.

[@TheLionEric]

MEC is a Co-op and basically its our Canadian Knock-off of REI. Very simular issues with growth right now causing financial and environmental issues. MEC even has a simular MEC Travel program to REI though they may be cancelling this.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

They were. In 2020 they were hit hard by the recession and the board of directors sold the company to an American private equity firm (without member approval). So now, despite still having "co-op" in their name, they are just another capitalist corporation seeking to make money for the 1% that own them. MEC is definitely NOT the same company they used to be, at all.

[@earthsouljah4116]

Keep your country Green. Keep your country clean. Grow more native tree for next generation. Happy country.. Happy people. 🌺.

[@kenlandon6130]

REI "members" don't even get all the benefits of being a corporate shareholder. Their "dividends" are worthless because membership requires a fee, so REI sets dividends at 10% discount on the amount you buy from REI. Whereas actual shareholders can propose and vote on resolutions (and occasionally topple a few board members like at Exxon Mobil last year) at highly publicized meetings each year that often inspire actual positive change in companies, REI members can't do that. Bc REI is a consumer "owned" cooperative, it is incentivized to treat workers just as normal corporations do: a resource which is to be extracted as much as possible and whose expense is to be minimized in any way possible. As opposed to real worker owned cooperatives, such as the new Drivers Coop in NYC that is trying to compete with Uber and Lyft. There, doing things like completing rides or recruiting new drivers, etc. earn the drivers (and only the drivers) points, which determine their share of the dividend fund.

[@tomf.2274]

The Canadian version, Mountain Equipment Co-op was bills on the same principle and was on a growth binge it could not support nor did it need to target lofty profit targets being member owned. All good until they sold to a private equity firm with the decision being made by the board without Members input. So MEC is now a private company.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Yes. Good point. Their "membership" is now in the same realm as Sam's Club. A total sham of the word "co-operative" now.

[@nihilbaxter4065]

Maybe you could do a video about orbea. They're a Coop aswell, though I don't know how extensively and wether they produce more ethically and environmentally friendly than other bike brands.

[@arianewell6252]

Had no idea they are a coop. Interesting. Bike brands in general seem environmentally unfriendly.

[@blitzkrieg7826]

this it a cool vid.

[@vicgamesvt9682]

One idea that came to mind while watching this video was library socialism.

[@andydutton455]

awesome

[@platlo4848]

Thought this was about a videogame should have checked the channel name Ps: I thought the REI was a video game I've never heard of but I wanted to see the video

[@tinanguyen6401]

“Many companies are trying to fight on both sides of the war.”

[@TheThund0r]

Did you run into legal trouble? Or why the change of title?

[@hywel.jenkins]

All the research and attention to detail, and yet there's still a spelling error on one of the cards - "Is REI *evironmentally* ethical?"

[@saadatfaiz6376]

I love REI

[@bohdanbirdie]

Bell team here

[@galkema]

They start their warehouse emp. around 14-15 an hour in AZ... :-/

[@cannibalmanimal2336]

Everything said’s true, but the 1 year return policy’s clutch when you get gear that is flawed or just not as quality as stuff used to be.

[@given-namesurname5740]

3.50 in 1938 is 18.38 now, 1737.6% inflation. Still pretty good

[@scsmith4604]

I quit shopping there and have opted for other options like buying directly from the manufactures website or locally owned stores that offer the same items. To me this eliminates going to the store and eliminates a piece in the supply chain in the case of ordering direct or helps support local businesses. The dividend is not a "dividend" since it is based on what you spend and not a % of corporate profits based on your membership share. Like the presenter said it is now a rewards program.

[@fuxan]

You just talked me out of buying REI pants that I thought I needed. I still have 2 pants from another business that I wear 90% of the time and they have not failed yet (I wonder why they stopped making them...maybe they were too good). No need to buy anything. Thank you. Minimalism needs to be a thing.

[@Sivah_Akash]

Well said! Still it's better to invest in REI as was mentioned at the last! Btw why does this video have so few views!

[@DougGrinbergs]

4:01 career CEOs/big money. (:-( Decades-long member. Have been increasingly disenchanted with REI seeming more corporate. (:-( Hipster/yuppie greenwashing? I liked Black Friday #OptOutside campaign. Who remembers lifetime product guarantee? Boulder store community room no longer has talks, slide shows; now bike rental.

[@withelisa]

I'm near the first location and even that feels very corporate now. Classes are frequent but most require fees. Granted anything I've bought from them has been high quality and I've never needed to replace anything..

[@tinnagigja3723]

Almost like there's no ethical consumption under capitalism.

[@haydenlamb6309]

So if I grow an apple tree and sell apples to someone, that is unethical?

[@tinnagigja3723]

@@haydenlamb6309 - Depends... how did you acquire the land, the tree, the water? To whom are you selling these apples - and who is going without apples because of your pricing structure?

[@tsoiboy4073]

Hayden Lamb What % of capitalism does that apple tree account for? The comment is about the whole system.

[@likira111]

*buys food* *social credit score drains to zero*

[@PixelShade]

I must say, I love the content, and the awarness spreading that OCC does. However it feels somewhat hypocritical that you use capitalistic sponsorships in your videos, although you are advocating for non-capitalistic ideas, less consumption and growth. I mean if advocates for change can't unchain ourselves from the clutches of capitalism, how can we expect anyone else to do it?

[@ososdechengdu]

How do you have 18M people make operational decisions at a large retailer?

[@sharevlog4284]

Tamsak host from ann new friend

[@tylsim]

yep, consumer coops were never radical departures from capitalism and aren't that cool.

[@baykcd]

I couldn't finish watching, because for some reason you kept mentioning the color of skin, like that has anything to do with shopping for gear to use outside.

[@lauraelizabethbrown]

Yeah I thought that was strange. I know plenty of nonwhite people that are into hiking. Come to think of it, the two people I have done most of my hiking with are not white.

[@SamieMac1]

This video is the result of communists thinking other communists are not communisty enough.

[@XandriaRavenheart]

We can't shop our way out of climate change. Totally agree. But we can NOT-Shop our way out of climate change, I stopped buying clothes and I don't want to buy a single piece of clothing this year either.

[@positivelySlime]

REI is like the Whole Foods of outfitter stores. I went by to the local one this week to look at a few things. I was wanting some underwear for hiking, a fast-drying breathable shirt, a new rain jacket, and maybe some new shorts. The cheapest shorts I could find were $70. Cheapest rain jacket was $80. The cheapest shirt I could fine was $40, and there were only a few of them on the racks. Even a pair of briefs was $20. Just ridiculous. The only reason I will ever go there again is for shoes. Everything else is a gigantic rip-off.

[@lauraelizabethbrown]

Honestly as a hiker I'm just gonna recommend for clothing you get anything built with athletic people in mind. Just avoid cotton (because sweat and moisture take too long to dry with cotton). Synthetic fabrics are better for this. If you're hiking in the cold, merino wool items are a fantastic option. I've been an REI member for years and the only clothing item I bought from them was a raincoat that was heavily marked down when the pandemic was at its peak and stores were struggling to sell anything. Oh and I guess I buy my boots there...but I think hiking boots or trail runners are the main thing you would go there for anyway.

[@positivelySlime]

​@@lauraelizabethbrown Yeah, I'll buy my shoes at REI but that's about it. Thanks for the advice on materials! There's an Academy Sports down the street...found some much cheaper stuff there. Found some polyester athletic shirts for $10 (BCG brand), just a few steps away from the Nike version (exact same thing but with a distracting swoosh on the front) which sold for $40.

[@joemadre9550]

Try to say anything negative about REI. Go ahead. Try. Stop hating "white people" btw, its your blind spot. Its just melanin.

[@delporteartdotcom]

Maybe since I have not watched any of your other videos it was not clear to me what your video was about until the end. It was confusing because you spoke in-depth on things that were non-environmental or non actionable environementally like business model or the "whiteness" of their choices? Even your description of their membership fees was curious? I wasn't sure how that was environmentally related? I think REI could do more and should do more... and ultimately it will be the consumer and their choices that determine how business gets done as it relates to the environment. Maybe if you shared with me how REI is impacting the environment and offer actionable solutions? (the graphic on their adventure travel was good, but could have been comparative to non REI travel?) or maybe if you showed companies as large as REI, who you think are doing a better job and how REI could adopt that?

[@ErnestoCore]

"we can't shop our way out of climate change" GREAT!

[@tylsim]

Their emphasis on recreation on public lands is also problematic from a decolonization perspective. "Public land" is stolen Indigenous land. Historically, National Forest Rangers were the cops that murdered and forced Indigenous people off their land, in some cases justified by "conservation," but ultimately benefiting white people with cattle grazing and lumbar. The current forest fire epidemic is a direct result of banning of Indigenous forest management practices because of REI-like early conservationalism. In many cases recreation occurs on public land that is a desecration to a nation's sacred and ceremonial sites, most famously the "Mt Rushmore" sculpture that occupies Lakota Sioux land.

[@positivelySlime]

All land is stolen land at some point. Get over it.

[@mas5862]

"REI is feeding us scraps" No. REI owes you nothing. They are an outfitter. If you like their stuff, buy it. If not then don't. It's that simple. You act like it's a bad thing for them to make money... they couldn't give ANYTHING back if they didn't grow/make a profit.

[@lauraelizabethbrown]

LOL thank you!! They're just a business. Not even a charity.

[@SharienGaming]

it is bad, when they make money by exploiting their employees and increase societal costs down the line large corporations punch society in the face and take its wallet... and then they give back a stick of gum that was in the wallet and call it charity

[@JSRMedia]

REI is good, but it could be better.

[@DougGrinbergs]

Fellow REI members, please speak to your store management about your concerns.

[@worldchangingvideos6253]

The CEO of REI makes $21,000,000.00 a year while many employees sleep in their cars in their parking lots.

[@Socalfishingkids]

Its just like usa democracy lol

[@kassandraofray7385]

The Dashlane sponsorship at the end nullified the whole video ...

[@likira111]

"Where in buying a sweater is seen as an alternative to protesting in the street" Given how little anyone cares about 5 people shouting on the street while rushing to school/work it probably is.

[@majorroberts3198]

Wrong

[@phillybogana]

Yeah, but what if REI grew so big, and sold so many bikes, that car travel would decline? Worth it.

[@stevemalibu99]

REI is a laughing stock

[@DougGrinbergs]

Gratuitous music distracting, doesn't add value. Anand audio almost inaudible. (:-(

[@no.7711]

I disagree. I hear it clearly.

[@andylindsaytunes]

I often feel that way about videos in this style, but I thought the mixing was fine in this one (except the segment with the book author, whose voice was mixed way too low).

[@airlinena]

Never heard of them and do not care. Rich people problems 🙄

[@likira111]

She said, watching the video and writing a comment instead of not caring.

[@airlinena]

@@scumparasite2014 👈 idiot can't spell