Sustainability
As a manufacturer of consumer goods, Concept2 has an environmental impact. We take seriously the responsibility to minimize the impact of our processes, purchases, and products sold. Sustainability is a driving factor in our designs, procedures, and day-to-day operations.
Material Use and Lifecycle
One of the biggest commitments is to design and make products that last. We use high-quality materials and components, which combine with our designs to result in products that are long-term investments.
Our goal is to provide spare parts, technical support, and straight-forward instructions to keep even our earliest products running. We love seeing Model A Indoor Rowers (made as early as 1981!) still providing their owners with great workouts. Those wishing to upgrade to a newer model can generally sell or donate their older machine so it doesn’t end up in a landfill.
For our oars and sculls we also offer free service at the regattas we attend. We replace worn out or damaged parts, aiming to keep our oars usable for as long as possible.
Performance Monitors can be recycled as eWaste if they are no longer working. Our foam packaging can also be recycled.
Facility and Processes
Concept2® is a global brand with roots in Vermont, US. For over four decades we have assembled oars and Ergs in Vermont using globally sourced materials. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, global supply chain disruptions and growing international demand encouraged us to diversify Erg production. In order to continue supplying quality products to international markets, we established additional Erg production capacity in China. This operation utilizes established relationships with trusted international suppliers to produce Ergs that meet our high standards for quality. All Ergs sold in the US continue to be assembled in Vermont using domestic and international parts.
At headquarters, we’re committed to making our facility as environmentally friendly as possible through the following efforts:
- Rigorous paper, plastic, and foam recycling programs.
- Working toward a goal of 100% solar electricity with over 190kW installed panels and ground-mounted tracking systems.
- Expanding our existing composting program to keep in line with Vermont's Universal Recycling Law and ensuring our kitchen waste doesn't end up in the landfill.
- Providing EV chargers to encourage our staff to reduce carbon emissions during their commutes.
- Numerous upgrades to be as efficient as we can with our lighting.
Our goal is to get as close as possible to being a zero-carbon footprint factory.