Doing Our Part For Our Community And Our Planet

Our Environmental Commitment
Community Giving
Free Shipping Boxes & Shoe Boxes!

Our Small Environmental Footprint = Good Planet-health.
Inspiring Many Footprints = Good  People-health.

Here’s why we’re your environmentally green running and walking store!

  • We buy 100% green power from Puget Sound Energy
  • Whatcom Watersheds pledge member
  • “Think Local First” sponsor of Sustainable Connections
  • Alternative transportation incentives for staff (extra pay) and customers (SmartTrips card, etc.)
  • We pass along good used shoes to athletic teams and shelters as needed
  • We bring your worn-out shoes to a Nike Re-Grind collection location or good shoes to a charity in need
  • Buy from other local independent businesses when possible
  • Use of LED lighting throughout store
  • Buy more sustainable shoes, as available from our vendors
  • Embrace Sustainable Connections’ Toward Zero Waste (TZW) program
    • Reuse of envelopes, packing materials and boxes
    • Recycle all plastic film/bags
    • Employ Foodplus for all compostable items
    • Recycle bottles, cans, paper, cardboard, plastic containers
    • Recycled paper used in store and for newsletter
    • Sorting of all recyclable and compostable materials at each of our events
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We are a member and sponsor of Bellingham’s Sustainable Connections: A non-profit membership organization of nearly 700 NW Washington business and community leaders working to transform and model an economy built on sustainable practices. Practices that lead to Strong Community, Healthy Environment, Meaningful Employment and Buying Local First as commonplace in our region and a model for the rest of the world.

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Community Giving

We believe that independent, locally owned businesses can be stewards of community health. We strive to be sustainable, responsible and charitable. We so appreciate getting to be a part of this amazing community and do our best to give back. Our giving focuses mostly on health and fitness, youth and environmental causes in our community.

In 2019, we contributed to over 100 non-profits, school groups and other organizations in need.

Just a few examples include Whatcom Hospice Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Skagit Land Trust, Brigid Collins, Whatcom Humane Society, Interfaith Coalition, Recreation Northwest, Max Higbee Center, Whatcom Center for Early Learning, Northwest Youth Services, Arthritis Foundation, Blue Skies for Children, NAMI, Sean Humphrey House, Whatcom Literacy Council, Back Country Horsemen, Animals as Natural Therapy and Lydia Place.

In 2020, we are trying to be a force for good in the fight for racial and social justice in our community and beyond. One initiative is the kick off of our first ever virtual race! Called the One Mile for Justice, we are asking for donations to the Whatcom Community Foundation’s Equity Fund.

Additionally, we have helped to fund the Alex Pempe Youth Runners’ Fund. This fund honors the memory of distance runner, Alex Pempe, by supporting programs that assist economically disadvantaged competitive youth runners in Whatcom County to purchase equipment, support training and preparation for competition and support participation in competitions (other than those sanctioned by the schools), including competitions at the collegiate level. Please consider a donation to this fund to help these young runners.

As part of our store’s charity promotion during our annual Customer Appreciation Days Sale, a portion of all proceeds go to four near and dear, local non-profits – Whatcom County Boys & Girls Club, Girls on the Run, Assistance League of Bellingham’s Operation School Bell which provides clothes and shoes for local children in need and Maple Alley Inn. In December 2019, we provided over 300 scarves and gloves to Opportunity Council’s Maple Alley Inn to help warm the homeless and needy.

Free Shipping Boxes & Shoe Boxes!

Do you need sturdy, clean boxes and/or packing material for shipping or moving? How about shoe boxes for school or crafts? We’ve got them for you.

  • Come to the store counter and ask any staff member
  • Boxes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis – we cannot reserve boxes for you
  • When asking about boxes, please respect time of staff, who work hard to make sure all customers are served
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