The Sustainability Issue
HIGH IMPACT
Palmetto Running Company’s Low Impact Alliance aims to elevate environmental responsibility in run specialty.
I
n just one calendar year, the apparel and footwear industries account for an estimated eight percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. That’s nearly four metric gigatons of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere each year. In the face of various environmental, social and governmental challenges, the run specialty industry and its respective brands and retailers must adopt new strategies in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint and extend the life of our planet. One of the more intriguing and ambitious efforts in the run specialty industry is being spearheaded by Keri Straughn and Christian Fyfe, owners of Palmetto Running Company in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, SC. Running Insight reached out to the sister-brother combo to explain the Low Impact Alliance and how the run specialty industry can get involved and benefit.
Looking Good
Keri Straughn: “To do our part, in late 2021 Palmetto Running Company launched The PRC Eco-Initiative with the collective goal to purchase and sell more sustainable, recycled and eco-friendly products as well as to find new ways to improve the sustainability of our planet and, more directly, our local environment. With the support we received both in our local community and the overall running industry, as well as being recognized at the 2021 Running Event with the Impact Award presented by On, Christian and I felt it was the right time to take our mission to the industry level.” Christian Fyfe: “In December we launched the Low Impact Alliance, an industry-wide alliance of brands, retailers and events to promote transparency and environmental responsibility
8
runninginsight.com
The sister and brother team of Keri Straughn and Christian Fyfe are making a green impact by promoting sustainable products in the two Palmetto Running stores and in the run specialty industry.
© 2022 Diversified Communications