Burton qZERO®
Sustainability Score
Founded in 1977 by Jake Burton Carpenter, Burton began in a Vermont barn with a simple idea: make snowboarding better. What started as a small, independent project helped shape a global sport and a culture built on creativity, community and respect for the mountains.
For nearly five decades, Burton has continued to design boards, outerwear and equipment made to perform in real winter conditions. From pioneering snowboard technology to developing durable, technical fabrics, innovation has always been at the heart of the brand. Burton also invests in repair services and product care guidance, helping riders keep their gear in use for longer.
The company openly shares its purpose and progress, outlining how it manages materials, supply chains and product design. Rather than broad promises, Burton provides specific information about its goals and actions, allowing customers to make informed choices.
For shoppers who love the outdoors and want gear designed with long-term thinking in mind, Burton combines heritage, performance and a clear sense of responsibility.
Burton business sustainability position is above average compared to other companies in the Toys, Games & Children’s Education Products.
Burton positioning within the Toys, Games & Children’s Education Products
Based on publicly available information and disclosed policies, Burton outperforms many peers in key areas. The brand outlines clear goals linked to materials, product design and supply chain standards, and provides structured reporting on progress. Its focus on durability, repair services and increased use of recycled and responsibly sourced materials addresses some of the sector’s most pressing resource challenges.
On social standards and governance, Burton publishes details about factory oversight, codes of conduct and accountability structures. While no global supply chain is without impact, the brand demonstrates systems and targets that go beyond minimum compliance. For shoppers, this signals a company that demonstrates action, helping reduce the risk of vague or unsubstantiated claims.
Burton designs and sells snowboards, boots and bindings, along with outerwear built for cold, wet and demanding mountain conditions. Its range also includes base layers, gloves, helmets, goggles, backpacks and everyday clothing inspired by snowboard culture. For families, Burton offers kids’ gear sized and shaped to grow with young riders. Beyond products, the brand provides repair services and care guidance to help customers keep their equipment in use for longer. Everything is designed for performance, whether you are heading to the slopes or simply looking for reliable winter wear.
Burton offers a wide range of price points, from high-performance technical gear to more accessible essentials. This allows shoppers to choose options that fit their budget without sacrificing quality. The brand states that it increases the use of recycled and responsibly sourced materials across many products and designs for durability and repair. Longer-lasting gear can mean fewer replacements, which may help reduce waste and save money over time. By focusing on strong construction, material transparency, and repair support, Burton encourages customers to view winter gear as an investment that lasts beyond a single season.
Burton’s approach centres on protecting winter landscapes while building products made to last. The brand states that it works to reduce resource impact through increased use of recycled and responsibly sourced materials, thoughtful product design and ongoing material innovation. Durability is a key focus, supported by repair services and care guidance that help extend the life of boards, outerwear and equipment.
Across its supply chain, Burton outlines standards for labour conditions, factory safety and responsible sourcing, supported by monitoring and public reporting. It also publishes clear goals and progress updates, giving customers visibility into where action is taking place and where work continues.
In simple terms: design gear that performs, use resources more carefully, support the people who make it, and share evidence of progress. For shoppers, this offers reassurance built on transparency rather than broad promises.
Burton demonstrates structured environmental management across several key areas. Public disclosures show attention to material choices, waste handling and product design, including the increased use of recycled and responsibly sourced inputs in selected ranges. The brand also highlights efforts to reduce harmful substances in manufacturing and to improve packaging practices. Waste oversight and operational controls appear well-developed, helping to limit avoidable impacts across production and distribution.
In areas linked to energy use and emissions, the picture is more complex. While Burton outlines goals and reporting frameworks, progress depends on continued reductions in energy demand, wider adoption of lower-impact energy sources and clearer updates on measurable outcomes. For shoppers, this signals a company with systems in place and a clear direction, alongside ongoing efforts to improve performance in energy and emissions management.
Burton presents a people-focused approach rooted in snowboard culture and outdoor communities. The brand supports youth programmes, mountain access initiatives, and advocacy to protect winter landscapes. Public information also outlines supplier standards covering working hours, pay, health and safety, and a zero-tolerance policy on child labour. This signals structured oversight beyond direct operations.
At the same time, as with many global apparel supply chains, performance depends on consistent monitoring, worker voice and transparent follow-up. Burton shares codes of conduct and audit frameworks, yet continued clarity around outcomes and improvements remains important for long-term trust.
For shoppers, this reflects a brand that recognises its responsibility to people across the value chain, while still having areas where continued evidence of progress matters.
Burton shows structured governance foundations, with published policies, clear codes of conduct and defined accountability across leadership and supply chain management. The brand outlines compliance standards for suppliers, monitoring systems and risk oversight processes, helping create consistency across global operations. This signals a company that treats responsibility as part of everyday business practice rather than a marketing add-on.
Transparency is supported through public reporting on goals, progress and key policies. While no governance system is static, continued clarity around measurable outcomes, independent verification and digital security controls will remain important as expectations evolve.
For shoppers, strong governance matters because it underpins every other commitment. Clear rules, oversight and reporting provide reassurance that environmental and social actions are supported by structure, not just intention.
Burton’s strongest point is simple: it was built by riders, for riders, with deep respect for the mountains that make the sport possible. Burton’s main USP is its pioneering, rider-led snowboard innovation: premium boards, bindings and outerwear engineered through real mountain testing to deliver confident control, lasting durability and all-day comfort in any conditions. Built on a purpose to keep people riding and to protect the places they love, Burton blends technical performance with a progressive outdoor ethos, helping every rider feel more capable, connected and inspired on snow.
Burton presents itself as a purpose-led brand shaped by a love of winter and a duty to protect it. Public goals, published policies and structured reporting suggest a company that is building responsibility into how it designs products and manages suppliers. Its focus on durability, repairability, and other material considerations addresses key impacts in snow sports apparel.
No global brand is impact-free, and continued progress in energy use, emissions and labour transparency remains important. However, Burton provides visible direction, measurable targets and clear standards, helping shoppers move beyond vague green claims.
The next chapter will depend on deeper energy reductions, wider lower-impact material use and stronger evidence of supplier outcomes. Ongoing transparency will be key. For consumers, the most powerful step is to support brands that show their work and improve over time.
In simple terms: choose the gear you will use for years, care for it well, and support brands that share clear evidence of action. That is how everyday riders help protect the mountains they love.
Burton uses a number of recognised certifications to support how its products are made and how the business is run. These labels help you quickly identify materials and standards that have been independently certified. Below is a clear, easy-to-read overview of the key certifications for Burton’s products and operations.
Burton is a Certified B Corporation. This means the company’s overall performance has been assessed across areas such as governance, workers, community and environmental management — not just individual products.
Found on selected outerwear and softgoods. This standard focuses on reducing harmful chemicals and improving safety in textile production.
Applies to certain textile products. It checks that fabrics have been tested for harmful substances.
Used for certified wood sources, including snowboard cores. It supports more responsibly managed forests.
These standards verify organic fibre content in cotton products and check parts of the supply chain.
Confirms verified recycled content in certain fabrics and materials.
These standards relate to animal welfare and traceability for down and wool used in selected products.
Applies to leather sourced from tanneries assessed for environmental management practices.
Tip for shoppers: Certifications can vary by product and season. When buying, check the product description online or ask in-store which certification applies to that specific item. For the latest updates, visit Burton’s “Purpose” page and annual reporting sections before making your purchase.
Awards & Recognitions
In October 2023, the State of Vermont unveiled a roadside historic site marker recognising Burton’s origins and role in shaping snowboarding.
Why it matters for shoppers: it’s a signal of deep heritage—useful context when you’re investing in gear built for long-term use.
Because awards and recognitions can change from season to season, it’s worth checking Burton’s latest “Purpose” updates and the most recent posts in its official blog for any new announcements.
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