Caring Beyond the Rim and Red River Sports
Grand Canyon is not just any ordinary place, it’s a unique wonder that requires special attention and care. Many individuals and organizations are committed to safeguarding this natural treasure; however, Grand Canyon is not an isolated place and is part of the wider world. Every action, no matter how small or big, has an impact on its well-being. Red River Sports (AzRA’s retail store) and our vendors are committed to making a positive difference in the world, and we’re excited to share our progress.
Red River Sports and the Three R’s
Red River Sports follows the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, in our shipping processes. We reuse packing material, when possible, recycle what isn’t reusable, and minimize additional packaging. We purchase eco-friendly materials from companies like EcoEnclose, who make products using recycled materials and are biodegradable.
Recover Brands
Last year, we partnered with Recover Brands, a company with a mission to provide apparel and gear that makes a positive impact on the world. They offer a range of products that are 100% up-cycled from cotton, plastic, or a blend of the two. Our Eco Tee, 60% post-industrial cotton and 40% post-consumer plastic, is a great product. These t-shirts are incredibly soft, durable, and come in a variety of vibrant colors. Additionally, their screen printing uses water-based and biodegradable pigments, making them an eco-friendly choice for custom and general apparel. Check them out and see what they offer!
Plaine Products
Plaine Products is an exceptional vendor worth mentioning. They specialize in providing toiletries in aluminum refillable and recyclable containers, with a m ission to reduce single-use plastics. Their products line includes shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc, all of which are plant-based, cruelty-free, vegan, biodegradable, and proudly made in the USA. A unique feature of Plaine Products is their refill and reuse service. After using up your current product, you can order a refill and replace the empty container with a new one, and then send the empty aluminum bottle back to be reused. Plaine Products is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to make a positive impact on the environment while still enjoying high-quality toiletries.
Level Six
Another company that is doing great work is Level Six. Level Six is the company from whom we purchase our neoprene gloves and socks. In 2021, they cut down on over 20,000 plastic bags by using single bag liners on shipping boxes and switched packaging to recycled cardboard. Level Six works with a company called REpreve (repreve.com) which has turned over 25 billion bottles into recycled fibers. They also donate 1% of their direct retail sales to watershed conservation organizations. They are also doing some amazing work through programs that help paddling schools get underprivileged children on the water! This article has only highlighted a few of the projects that Level Six is doing. To learn more about all the projects they have going visit Community and Initiative page.
Grasshopper’s Mermaid
A personal favorite vendor that Red River Sports works with is Grasshopper’s Mermaid. This is a wonderful company located in Nashville, TN. They produce custom stickers using water-based inks and are 100% produced in the U.S. using the greenest printers on the market. In 2020 they teamed up with CarbonClick to help combat climate change. Grasshopper’s Mermaid is owned and operated by an all women team, which includes 
the owner and the artists in the production line. Not only does Grasshopper’s Mermaid do great work for the environment and the world, but they create incredibly unique art! Red River Sports carries Grasshopper’s Mermaid stickers, and we are planning to carry more in the future.
Northwest River Supplies
One of the largest companies we work with is Northwest River Supplies (NRS) which provides some of our essential items, like paddle jackets and pants. In 2021, NRS partners welcomed more than 70,000 new people — youth, adults and families — to the outdoors, rallied more than 11,000 in gatherings, protests and celebrations, recruited more than 32,600 volunteers, sent more than 147,000 letters, messages and comments to lawmakers, protected and restored more than 1,300 river miles, picked up and packed out more than 18.5 tons of trash, secured more than $2 billion to take care of our common lands and waters, and so much more. NRS continues the mission to break down barriers to the outdoors with their Just Add Water Project, putting values into action by supporting activists and organizations in building an inclusive paddle sports community of the future, creating new advocates for conservation, and protecting the health of, and access to, our shared lands and waters. What started as a conversation has grown into a long term, sustained effort aimed at building strong, durable relationships with those out there doing the hard work to make lasting change.
In this article we have highlighted some of the positive things our Red River Sports vendors are doing to make the world a better place. I encourage you to check out each of these companies and if possible, purchase from them. These vendors create quality products at equitable prices and are making positive changes. Arizona Raft Adventures and Red River Sports continue to strive to find ways to help make the world a better place.
Other Vendors to check out!
- SockGuy
- Super Salve Co.
- ChicoBags
- Rayward Apparel
- Lost River Imports
- and more coming on board every year!
