The down and feather is collected following the preparation of the meat and would otherwise be thrown out as trash.

Many farms also have multi-layered functionality when it comes to the raising of birds. In China, there are farms where Geese roam free throughout commercial Asian Pear orchards.

The droppings from the birds fertilizes the trees, while surrounding the orchard lies existing water and shelter for the birds. 

And with such a low economic value per bird within an already low-impact supply chain, it was recently finally published that down has an 85 – 97% lower impact on the environment than a recycled synthetic alternative. 

According to a recently published LCA, down has 18 times less climate change impact than recycled synthetic alternatives and excelled in all areas with the exception of water use. Detergents were also found to be contributing significantly to down’s overall – though small – carbon footprint.

We continue to push forward beyond bluesign® and look at how we can both improve and help move the entire industry forward by working with organizations, laboratories, and certifications.

For a list of all ALLIED certifications, go here.

This means working with organizations that change consciousness around climate change, help bring medicine and renewable energy to communities in need, and protect the animals we share a planet with. 

ALLIED works closely with:

• Protect Our Winters
• Big City Mountaineers
• Medicine’s Global
• The Peregrine Fund
• Greenroom Voice
• Save the Boundary Waters
• The European Outdoor
• Conservation Alliance
  + others.