Environmental Approach
We continue to look for opportunities to minimize our impact on the environment. Over the past few years we’ve made a concerted and focused effort to remove plastics and chemical-based materials from our supply chain.
Reusable Renewable Packaging
We reduced the amount of plastic used in camera packaging and logistics from 39% in our HERO8 cameras to less than 2% in our HERO11 cameras, including replacing our iconic camera jewel case with a value-added plastic-free, reusable hard carrying case. We believe this is a good example of creating a tangible consumer benefit while also reducing environmental impact and are committed to this approach going forward, amplifying the impact on our efforts to be more sustainable while also delivering value to our customers.
With the fall 2022 launch of our latest flagship camera, HERO11, we’ve replaced the plastic bag surrounding the camera with a paper wrap. The purpose of these bags, historically, has been to protect the products in transit, and we’ve proven this can be done in a new and more effective, environmentally friendly way. We’ve made the same transition and changes to our HERO11 and stand-alone battery packaging, replacing the plastic wrap with paper to protect battery connectors while supporting access to certifications and regulatory markings for customs. In 2021, we transitioned to paper hangtags for accessories, and beginning in 2022, newly designed apparel is shipped in paper rather than plastic bags.
Direct-to-Consumer Order Fulfillment: Path to Plastic-Free
We have made great progress removing plastic from customer order pack outs and are thrilled to report that since the second half of 2022 all global direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment centers are plastic free. In our Asia Pacific and North America DTC fulfillment centers, we’ve replaced traditional air pillows with recyclable crinkle paper to protect products while in transit. Since 2020, our European DTC facility uses automatic box closure machines for ~99% of order fulfillment, thereby eliminating packing material while improving shipping efficiency and freight footprint. We're also focused on removing plastic and harmful chemicals from our supply chain logistics. For product transportation between our factories, we are testing a corrugated tray bill-of-materials (BOM) as a replacement for a molded foam fiber tray BOM.
Office Workplace Footprint
In our operated spaces, we are mindful of our day-to-day consumption of natural resources. Our California-based headquarters is LEED Certified and compliant with Energy Efficiency Standards. And we also strive to minimize energy consumption by outfitting US offices with high-efficiency lighting, occupancy lighting sensors and maintaining our HVAC schedules to adapt to seasonal and occupancy requirements.
Environmental Community Engagement
Through our GoPro for a Cause program, we directly support organizations on the leading edge of climate change and conservation and amplify their stories and showcase the people and organizations making an impact.
WILDCOAST
We support WILDCOAST, an international team that helps protect 38 million acres of coastlines, ocean habitat, coral reefs, mangrove forests, sea turtle nesting beaches, gray whale breeding lagoons, wetlands, islands, and more. In Oaxaca, Mexico, WILDCOAST protects 22.5 miles of coastline, the two most important olive ridley sea turtle nesting beaches in the world, where more than 72 million eggs have hatched since 2017.
The Ocean Cleanup
We champion The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization focused on ridding the world’s oceans of plastic. In 2018, GoPro supported the launch of their first ocean cleanup system, which was deployed from San Francisco Bay on a bold mission to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. As of June 3, 2022, The Ocean Cleanup has removed more than 1.2M kg of trash from oceans and rivers worldwide. And there’s much more work to be done. The Ocean Cleanup aims to tackle 1,000 of the world’s most polluting rivers to reduce the flow of plastic into the ocean.
The Redford Center
This year marks our fourth collaboration with the Redford Center Grants environmental impact documentary program. Over the years, we’ve supported 36 cutting-edge environmental films, including Demon Mineral, Reefs at Risk, and Youth v Gov. Co-founded in 2005 by Robert Redford and his son James Redford, The Redford Center advances environmental solutions through the power of stories that move. Its cross-cutting programs support environmental storytellers and invest in impact-driven narrative strategies.