About Us

Giving back is fundamental to Cotopaxi’s identity and purpose. Through the Cotopaxi Foundation, the company supports nonprofit organizations that serve communities experiencing extreme poverty across the globe. These efforts have already reached more than four million people, helping expand access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and sustainable income opportunities. The foundation prioritizes long-term impact by partnering with organizations that address systemic challenges and empower individuals to improve their quality of life.

A large portion of this work is focused in underserved regions of Latin America, where investments are directed toward areas proven to create meaningful change. Research from the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab at MIT highlights health, education, and livelihoods as key drivers in reducing poverty, and these pillars guide Cotopaxi’s philanthropic strategy. Beyond these core initiatives, the company also supports its partners in responding to urgent humanitarian crises around the world. At the same time, it contributes to nonprofit efforts within the United States that aim to strengthen communities through better access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

Sustainability is equally central to Cotopaxi’s approach to business. In 2024, the company reached a major milestone by fulfilling its 3Rs commitment, ensuring that every product incorporates materials that are repurposed, recycled, or responsibly sourced through certified suppliers. This achievement reflects a broader effort to rethink how products are designed and manufactured, reducing environmental impact while maintaining quality and durability.

Building on this progress, Cotopaxi introduced a long-term roadmap for sustainable materials and product development. This plan outlines clear goals for advancing material innovation, improving packaging practices, and embracing circular design principles over the next decade. By integrating these elements into its operations, the company aims to reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, and promote a more regenerative approach to manufacturing.

One of the key components of Cotopaxi’s materials strategy is the use of deadstock fabric. Deadstock consists of surplus, high-quality textiles that would otherwise go unused by manufacturers or retailers. By incorporating these materials into its products, Cotopaxi not only diverts waste from landfills but also reduces the environmental footprint associated with producing new fabric. On average, items made from deadstock materials have a significantly lower carbon impact compared to those made entirely from virgin resources. This approach is especially visible in collections that emphasize unique, one-of-a-kind designs created from available fabric remnants.

In addition to repurposed materials, the company prioritizes recycled inputs and responsibly certified resources to further minimize environmental harm. These practices are supported by a commitment to ethical sourcing, ensuring that materials are obtained in ways that respect both people and the planet.

Cotopaxi also recognizes the importance of addressing climate change through measurable action. The company maintains a low carbon intensity relative to its revenue, reflecting an effort to grow responsibly while limiting its environmental impact. As part of its long-term climate strategy, Cotopaxi has established science-based targets to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and supply chain. These goals include substantial reductions in direct emissions within the next decade, as well as deeper cuts in indirect emissions over a longer timeframe.

Through a combination of responsible giving, sustainable design, and climate-focused commitments, Cotopaxi continues to align its business practices with its mission to create positive social and environmental impact.