LifeStraw, a leader in water filtration and purification solutions, will hit the road this summer with Airstream for the “Clean Water Across America” tour. From June through August, the brand duo will execute a combined social and cause-focused campaign celebrating outdoor adventure and efforts to protect outdoor spaces, while advocating for a reduction of single-use plastics. The tour will stop at outdoor events, festivals, national parks and targeted retail locations.
Debuting at the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail, Colo., from June 6-9, Clean Water Across America will be helmed by LifeStraw and Airstream brand ambassadors including travel show host, presenter and filmmaker Harry Yuan and his partner, private chef Andrea Loeffler. The couple will share insights and best practices for water conservation, adventure travel, and ways to enjoy the outdoors as they cross the country for three months in a 25-foot Airstream Flying Cloud.
Additional planned stops include a Big City Mountaineers overnight camp in Golden, Colo., Outdoor Retailer Demo Day at Chatfield State Park, and the 6th annual Adventure + Gear Mountain Fest in Utah from June 28-30. The tour will continue on to Jackson Hole, Wyo., for Fourth of July and head East for the Outside Experience in Chicago from July 13-14.
According to statistics from the Container Recycling Institute, nearly one million single-use plastic beverage bottles are sold every minute around the world, used once, and then disposed. In December, Great Britain’s Royal Statistical Society reported that 90 percent of plastic waste has never been recycled, 79 percent of which has accumulated in either landfill or natural environments.
“The careless disposal of single-use plastic beverage containers is of great concern, especially considering that Americans purchase and use approximately 345 bottles per person in one year,” said Alison Hill, managing director of LifeStraw. “If plastic is not being recycled, it is being cast aside for a journey into landfills, marine biomes or somewhere in transit. Encouraging greater awareness about the health and environmental challenges associated with single-use and disposal of plastic is a worthwhile effort towards protecting one of our most valuable and important natural resources: water.”
Airstream, which launched its “Leave it Beautiful” initiative in 2016, has integrated sustainable practices within its products, supply chain and overall corporate experience, and has made numerous “green” upgrades to its existing facilities to reduce environmental footprint. Several of the company’s newest trailer models contain EcoBatt Insulation, made from recycled bottles and sand. In addition, Airstream today uses a Zero Waste to Landfill approach and other thoughtful touchpoints throughout its manufacturing process, from recycling the water used in its water check booth, to high-efficiency lighting and air compressors.
“Businesses that operate with the goal of protecting our natural resources set a relevant tone today – and thankfully that’s growing in importance,” said Bob Wheeler, president and CEO of Airstream. “We feel it’s Airstream’s duty to encourage best practices when it comes to positively impacting the environment. Clean Water Across America is another way we can promote the joy of being outdoors, while at the same time helping to conserve those places best suited for Airstream adventures.”
LifeStraw and Airstream will supplement the educational and advocacy elements of the tour with various giveaways and promotional facets, specifically designed to engage broad audiences and encourage outdoor enjoyment. Travel cross-country, including all stops in between, will be documented via social media platforms as well as LifeStraw’s blog.