REI to host 11 used gear swaps across US

By

Robin Driver

Published
Oct 11, 2018

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, outdoor apparel retailer REI Co-op is organizing used gear swaps at 11 stores across the US later this month, inviting members to trade their gently used equipment.  

 
The swap events are free for REI members, who can also bring one guest. Non-members wishing to sell gear are asked to pay a $20 fee for table space, with proceeds going to local outdoor non-profits in each city.
 
The swaps will take place at the REI locations in Arcadia, San Diego and Saratoga, California; Bloomington, Minnesota; Chandler, Arizona; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Columbia, Maryland; Greenwood Village, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Tualatin, Oregon; and West Hartford, Connecticut.

“Swapping gear is a fun way for our members to connect, get the gear they need, and sell or trade what they no longer use – all while helping to keep products out of the landfill,” said REI’s director of new business development Peter Whitcomb in a release.
 
REI has been selling lightly used products at in-store Garage Sales for several years and hosted its first used gear swaps in six locations last year. The co-op also launched a used gear website in October 2017, expanding its offering to cover new brands and product categories in August of this year.
 
Other initiatives launched by REI include the introduction, in April, of a set of product sustainability standards seeking to ensure the low environmental and social footprint of the products it sells. The co-op has also defined a number of sustainability attributes designed to help its customers identify products with features such as Bluesign, Fair Trade Certification or responsibly sourced down.
 
REI’s used gear swaps will open at 10 a.m. in all 11 locations on October 27.