Portland sportswear company makes sustainable clothing

The process of making clothing is harmful to the environment, but a southeast Portland-based company is trying to change that. Showers Pass has made a commitment to delivering high-quality gear that will keep you dry, while lightening environmental load. "The best way to lessen the environmental impact of a product is to extend its life," said product manager George Dolack. "Doing that alone is not enough, but it's still an important consideration because two jackets are always going to be more impactful than one." In 2019, Showers Pass, located on Southeast 6th Avenue and Southeast Lincoln Street, made a pledge to build gear with fully recycled materials. "Setting real stakes in the ground, with a timeline, it adds a sense of urgency," Dolack said. That urgency extends not only to sourcing better materials, it also means using cleaner methods and reducing energy consumption and packaging. Humane treatment of animals and good care for the land on which they're raised is also a high priority. Showers pass has joined many companies worldwide in only using wool that meets the Responsible Wool Standard. The standard is defined by the Textile Exchange as "an international, voluntary standard that addresses animal welfare in sheep farms and chain of custody of wool."