Eco Gear Index - pretty cool idea.

The outdoor industry is 'gearing' up to use the first phase of the new Eco Index. What is it you ask?

Well it is an environmental assessment tool to provide "companies throughout the supply chain a way to benchmark and measure their environmental footprint, allowing them to identify areas for improvement and make informed sourcing and product life cycle decisions."

Phase 1 would evaluate products based on their water consumption, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. Other indicators, including chemicals/toxics, land use intensity and biodiversity, will be accounted for in later versions.

Pretty cool idea, now lets see if it sticks. For more info visit ecoindexbeta.org