High Quality,

Eco-Friendly Products at Affordable Prices

 

At GreenGear, we believe products can and should be sustainable, high-quality and affordable. In an effort to create a portfolio of plastic-alternative products, we are starting with our first product - the EcoRain Poncho.

our vision

We have a vision for a world free of single-use plastics, where petroleum is no longer a dominant commodity. Plastics pollute our oceans, drive demand for oil, and are responsible for significant energy use and carbon dioxide emissions during refining and manufacturing. GreenGear was founded with positive environmental impact as its core mission. We want to design consumer products that will displace existing, petroleum-based options and empower consumers to purchase items that sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, all without compromising on price or quality.

 
 
 

Rain Ponchos

Bio-based  |   Durable   |   Recyclable

Our first product, the EcoRain Poncho is made using 99% Brazilian sugarcane bioplastic.  This means that for every kilogram of raw material we use, as much as 2.15 kg of carbon dioxide is captured and sequestered from the atmosphere. Considering that the production of petroleum-based plastic releases up to 6 kg of carbon dioxide per kilogram produced, the EcoRain Poncho is a much more sustainable option.  

 

The EcoRain Poncho keeps you just as dry as petroleum-based ponchos and is recyclable wherever #4 plastics are collected. We also offer plastic-free, eco-friendly packaging options.

Future products

At GreenGear, we see ponchos as our first of many products. We plan to introduce a reusable bioplastic water bottle as our second creation. Another consideration for a future product are phone cases.

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Ultimately, we hope to design and manufacture sustainable outdoors gear like backpacks, jackets, and tents.

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We welcome and encourage any ideas or feedback on our existing or future product development plans.

 
 

Frequently asked questions

Why are GreenGear ponchos different?

Our durable, reusable ponchos are lightweight and great at keeping you dry. Offering you a product that works well and can be relied on when you need it - a thunderstorm on the Appalachian Trail or at a big game - will always be our number one priority. What makes us different is that instead of using climate-damaging petroleum to make our ponchos, we use sugarcane bioplastic, which has a net-negative carbon footprint and is fully recyclable. Our ponchos are ASTM-certified 100% Biobased, which means that 100% of their content comes from plant sources and 0% from fossil fuels.



What is bioplastic?

Simply put, bioplastic is a plastic made using renewable resources like plants. Our bioplastic is made using Brazilian sugarcane, which is processed into ethanol and then plastic pellets, which we turn into ponchos. Since EcoRain Ponchos are made using plant material, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, the production of our products actually has a net negative carbon impact, which means that the entire product lifecycle removes more carbon from the atmosphere than is released during processes like manufacturing and shipping.



Are your ponchos recyclable? If so, how can I recycle them?

Our ponchos are recyclable as Number 4 plastic, which means they can be collected for recycling or deposited at many locations, like grocery stores. Please use a recycling point locator to find a drop-off location for ponchos you no longer wish to use. In addition, as most of our sales are directly to businesses and teams, we are currently working to create a take back system, so that you can recycle your poncho at the same place you purchased it.



Are your ponchos biodegradable or compostable?

Our reusable ponchos are not biodegradable or compostable. Believe it or not, designing ponchos this way is actually better for the environment and our customers. Ponchos that degrade in the rain likely wouldn't be effective or reusable. Biodegradable plastics are typically not recyclable and can cause problems at recycling plants, damaging machinery and contaminating entire batches of otherwise recyclable plastic that then ends up in landfills [ source]. In the United States, there is limited composting infrastructure, which means that if we'd designed our ponchos to be compostable (and not recyclable), they would most likely end up in landfills when their useful lives came to an end. Landfills are oxygen-deprived environments. Without oxygen, a compostable plastic would break down and turn into methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. When our ponchos are done being used, we wanted them to turn into something new, rather than climate-damaging methane gas.



What is your packaging made from?

Our packaging is made from 100% recycled kraft paper material, contributing to our goal to reduce plastic consumption. Most ponchos you see today are packaged in more plastic, which can't be recycled and often ends up in landfills, the oceans, or on the ground. Our packaging is not only made from recycled materials, but is also biodegradable, recyclable and bio-based. All ink on our packaging is soy-based, rather than conventional, petroleum-based ink. Whereas petroleum ink contains carcinogens like benzene, our ink is made from soybeans mixed with other eco-friendly ingredients like natural resins and waxes. By utilizing soy-based ink, we are able to further our mission of creating petroleum-free products.



Do you donate a portion of your sales?

Yes! We are members of 1% for the Planet, a coalition of companies committed to donating at least 1% of their sales to environmental groups. We focus our charity towards organizations working to solve plastic waste issues. To learn more about 1% for the Planet, you can visit their website at: www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.



High quality, eco-friendly products at affordable prices

 

 Contact Us 

contact

Please reach out with any purchase requests or questions!

 

GreenGear Supply Company

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info@greengearsupply.com

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