Why sustainability matters to us?
Why sustainability matters to us?
HIGHLANDER happens out there - in real nature, not filtered, not staged. The same mountains, rivers, and trails we explore are the reason people sign up in the first place.
These landscapes aren’t just our backdrop - they’re the whole point.
We believe every step out there comes with responsibility. We don’t just move through nature - we build our entire experience around it. And if we want those places to stay wild, beautiful, and accessible, we all need to show up the right way.
Sustainability for us isn’t a side initiative. It’s part of how we design events, how we show up on the trail, and how our community connects with nature before, during, and after the hike.
Because the goal isn’t just to finish the journey.
It’s to make sure it’s just as epic for everyone coming after us.😀
How we practice sustainability?
How we practice sustainability?
- education is part of the experience - before, during, and throughout the year we share simple, practical ways our community can show up in nature responsibly
- collecting trash is built into the journey - we actively clean the trails we hike, making sure every location is left better than we found it
- no single-use plastic water - we encourage refill systems and smarter hydration solutions instead of one-time use bottles
- food is organized in bulk - reducing packaging, minimizing waste, and still making sure everyone is properly fueled for the adventure
- working with local partners and suppliers whenever possible to reduce impact and support the communities we pass through
- always improving - every event is a chance to do things better, reduce impact further, and raise the standard for what responsible outdoor events look like
HIGHLANDER ZERO WASTE events
HIGHLANDER ZERO WASTE events
For the third year in a row, our team is taking on this challenge with one clear goal - reducing waste at our events to an absolute minimum.
This initiative is designed to test how the ZERO WASTE concept can be applied to full-scale HIGHLANDER events.
This year, our Croatian team of 20 HIGHLANDER organizers, ambassadors, long-distance hikers, and eco-activists are stepping into the HIGHLANDER 5DAY format across Istria’s 100 km trail, using it to test the concept in real conditions. This is a closed event, taking place in Istria at the beginning of June.
The mission is simple - no waste along the route.
Everything is planned around that. Reusable containers for meals, all food and water carried in multi-use systems, and a mindset focused on minimizing impact every step of the way.
Along the trail, we educate and share - showing that small changes in how we pack, consume, and move through nature can make a big difference.
Each year, we share the challenges, the learnings, and the changes we take into future events.
Because this isn’t just an idea.
It’s something we test, improve, and build into every HIGHLANDER experience.
Partners in crime
Care for Big Bear
Care for Big Bear
Surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, Care for Big Bear invites visitors to explore responsibly. It encourages simple, meaningful actions like following Leave No Trace principles, supporting local green businesses, and getting involved in community efforts.
It’s a mindset HIGHLANDER naturally connects with, which is why we’ve been partnering with them for the past five years. For us, it’s about enjoying nature, respecting it, and leaving it just as beautiful for the next person.
Responsible Stewardship
Responsible Stewardship
We’ve teamed up with Responsible Stewardship, an organization focused on protecting outdoor spaces and public lands through education, community action, and large-scale clean-up initiatives.
They work directly with events, local communities, and volunteers to reduce environmental impact, promote responsible outdoor behavior, and actively remove waste from nature.
From picking up trash on the trail to sorting and reducing waste, it’s the small actions that add up. Since 2022, together we’ve removed over 170,000 kg of waste from natural environments.
Want to partner with us?
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