A growing number of outdoor apparel brands and sporting goods retailers are enacting plans to phase so-called “forever chemicals” out of their gear. The moves come as several states (with New York and California leading the way) ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances from clothing.

PFAS have often been used to create durable water-repellent (DWR) coating on various performance fabrics to give them water- and stain-resistant properties. PFAS have also historically been used in firefighting foam and to create other products with nonstick, water- and grease-resistant properties. However, the chemicals, which don’t break down in the environment, can contaminate water sources and build up in fish and wildlife. Research has linked exposure to certain PFAS with health problems that include kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and high cholesterol, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Earlier this month, Dick’s Sporting Goods, which has more than 850 stores across the U.S., announced it will be getting rid of PFAS in its store-brand apparel, shoes and textiles, according to Environmental Health News. In February, REI announced that it will ban PFAS from all cookware and textile products from its suppliers starting in the fall of 2024.

Several brands have already removed, or are in the process of removing, PFAS from their products. Outdoor footwear brand KEEN, for example, spent four years removing forever chemicals from its supply chain and even published a guide for other companies that details alternative waterproofing methods to consider. Patagonia notes on its website that it is “working to convert all our water-repellent finishes to non-fluorinated versions by 2024.”

Suppliers in the promotional products industry have also been addressing PFAS. Eagan, MN-based supplier Storm Creek (asi/89879) discussed in a recent blog post why it’s phasing PFAS out of its products, noting that until March of this year, its water-repellent fabrics had contained the PFAS chemical C6.

“We’ve been going through a vigorous testing process to convert our fabrics to a technology that doesn’t include PFAS. We’re starting to manufacture these fabrics and have transitioned all of our items to be PFAS-free,” Storm Creek wrote.

Last December, 3M, parent company of Top 40 supplier 3M/Promotional Markets (asi/91240), announced that it will stop manufacturing and using PFAS across its product portfolio by the end of 2025. In June, the company settled a lawsuit over PFAS contamination of U.S. public drinking-water systems, agreeing to pay at least $10.3 billion, though noting that the settlement “is not an admission of liability.” 3M CEO Mike Roman called the settlement “an important step forward” in its work to phase out PFAS.

Promo for the Planet is your destination for the latest news, biggest trends and best ideas to help build a more sustainable and socially-responsible industry.