Storm Creek (asi/89879), an Eagan, MN-based apparel supplier and 2024 Counselor Best Place to Work, is planning several events to mark Earth Month – including a sustainability sweepstakes and an Eco Festival on April 19.

The 1% for the Planet partner, which has donated over $2.1 million to various charities, also noted that it’s poised to hit a milestone of upcycling 50 million plastic bottles by the end of 2024, thanks to the high percentage of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) polyester fabric used in its apparel. The supplier said that in 2023 it upcycled 10 million bottles, for a total of 32 million since it began using recycled polyester in its garments.

Teresa Fudenberg, CEO and owner of Storm Creek (asi/89879)

“Every day is Earth Day at Storm Creek,” said Teresa Fudenberg, CEO and owner of Storm Creek as well as one of the 2023 Bess Cohn Humanitarians of the Year. “We are committed to making high-quality, long-lasting sustainable athleisure wear, and educating our industry about the detrimental impact of ‘fast fashion’ and how investing in eco-friendly apparel care should be a priority.”

In 2021, the supplier launched a Sustainability School to enlighten people about the excessive waste in the apparel industry. This month, Storm Creek plans to teach hundreds of promotional products distributors across North America in person and through online webinars. In addition, the supplier is hosting a Storm Creek Sustainable Style Sweepstakes, with the winner receiving a $1,000 shopping spree to build an eco-made capsule wardrobe.

“Our Sustainability School educates on the importance of sustainable sourcing and eco-minded disposal of end-of-life products,” Fudenberg said. “The good news is that the industry as a whole currently has sustainability top of mind, and they want to ensure they are aligned with corporate end-buyers’ goals for sustainability.”

On Friday, April 19, Storm Creek will host an Eco Festival at its Eagan headquarters, featuring food trucks, discounts, special bargain-bin deals, mystery boxes, clothing donations and plastic-bag recycling stations. The supplier will also be giving away national park passes and passes to a Minnesota-area marathon.

Founded in 2006, Storm Creek launched a sustainable sourcing initiative in 2016 and soon committed to converting its entire line of lifestyle apparel to eco-made. The supplier donates more than 5% of its profits to environmental and community causes. Through its distributor customers, buyers include resorts, national parks and many Fortune 1000 companies.

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