YAKIMA LAUNCHES “PLANET PAYBACK,” 100% CARBON NEUTRAL INITIATIVE
BEAVERTON, Ore. (March 8, 2007) – Yakima, an innovator in vehicle rack solutions for boats, bikes, winter sports gear, home storage and cargo options, today unveiled “Planet Payback,” a company-wide initiative focused on offsetting the carbon footprint (reducing carbon emissions) of all operations, products and their distribution, as well as Yakima’s field marketing team, “Road Warriors.” “Planet Payback” will launch at tomorrow’s Canoecopia (www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia), the world’s largest paddlesport expo, in Madison, Wisc., March 9-11, 2007.
Consumers attending Canoecopia can purchase Yakima products, which are “carbon free.” Based on the carbon footprint of all purchases made at the show, Yakima will make a donation to Carbonfund.org to offset the overall footprint of those products.
Carbonfund.org calculated Yakima’s energy usage determining the carbon footprint and the monetary value associated with that footprint. Yakima begins making donations after the program launches and will continue making donations to Carbonfund.org on a regular timetable. The donated dollars are converted into carbon credits which Carbonfund.org uses to fund Yakima’s choice of three different national and/or international projects including: renewable energy (wind, solar, geothermal and biomass energy), energy efficiency (reduction of energy through technology), or reforestation (planting trees).
“Paddlesports is part of our soul,” said Mike Steck, senior marketing director for Yakima. “Paddlers are sensitive to the fact that we need to respect our outdoor playground. Boasting the largest consumer attendance of any outdoor industry event, Canoecopia is an ideal venue for launching this initiative to our core consumers and offering them the first opportunity to purchase carbon free products.”
At the event, Yakima will showcase its boat racks and top of car cargo solutions including the HullRaiser Aero, Kayak Stacker, HullyRollers and Mako Saddles, SkyBox Series cargo boxes and a new line of soft top of car bags.
About Yakima
Yakima is a world leader in the design and manufacture of destination hardware and gear management solutions. Yakima’s products include: vehicle racks for bikes, boats, ski equipment and gear; a line of cargo boxes and bags for a variety of needs; and Ground Control, an integrated gear management system for the home. Yakima Products is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. For more information, visit www.yakima.com.
About Carbonfund.org
Carbonfund.org is the country’s leading carbon reduction and offset organization. Carbonfund.org educates the public about the dangers of climate change and makes it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact. Carbonfund.org is reducing the threat of climate change by promoting cost-effective carbon reductions and supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally that reduce and offset carbon dioxide emissions. Carbonfund.org works with over 150 corporate and non-profit partners including the Earth Day Network, National Wildlife Federation, Dell Computers, Lancôme Cosmetics, and Working Assets. Learn more at www.carbonfund.org.