Why We Love Storm Creek

In the promotional products industry, where fast fashion and fleeting giveaways often dominate, Storm Creek is charting a radically different course. With a bold commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and community impact, this Minnesota-based apparel brand is proving that branded merchandise can be both high-performance and high-purpose.

From Plastic Bottles to Premium Apparel

Storm Creek’s sustainability journey is rooted in transformation—literally. The brand upcycles post-consumer plastic bottles into stylish, durable apparel. As of 2025, they’ve repurposed nearly 60 million bottles, with a goal to reach 85 million by the end of 2026. Each garment proudly displays how many bottles were used in its creation—making the impact tangible for wearers.

Take the Overachiever Jacket, for example: it contains up to 42 recycled bottles, depending on size. This isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s a conversation starter.

bluesign® Partnership: Raising the Bar

Storm Creek is the first U.S. promotional products brand to become a bluesign® System Partner, a globally recognized certification for sustainable textile production. By 2025, the brand is committed to using 100% bluesign® APPROVED fabrics, ensuring rigorous standards for environmental safety, worker health, and chemical management.

This partnership ensures Storm Creek’s sustainability claims are backed by science—not just marketing.

Ethical Sourcing & Verified Impact

Storm Creek’s commitment goes beyond materials. All factory partners are certified by WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) and BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative), ensuring fair labor and ethical manufacturing practices. [distributo…mcreek.com]

They also track their carbon footprint using GHG Protocol standards, and partner with UPS’s Carbon Offset Program, mitigating over 182 metric tons of CO₂e since 2022. [stormcreek.com]

Sustainability School™: Educating the Industry

Storm Creek doesn’t just produce sustainable merch—they teach it. Their Sustainability School™ offers webinars, custom sessions, and resources to help distributors and brands understand key topics like PFAS, water usage, carbon emissions, and circularity in apparel. [distributo…mcreek.com]

This educational approach positions Storm Creek as a thought leader, not just a supplier.

Giving Back: $5 Million by 2030

Storm Creek’s mission includes a philanthropic goal: donating $5 million to charity by 2030. They’re already over halfway there, supporting organizations like Feeding America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ronald McDonald House, and the National Park Foundation.

This social impact adds depth to their brand story and resonates with values-driven consumers and employees alike.

Why Storm Creek Matters Now

In an era where sustainability is no longer optional, Storm Creek offers a blueprint for how branded merchandise can evolve. Their model proves that:

Eco-consciousness and performance can coexist

Transparency and certification build trust

Education and community impact elevate brand relevance

Whether you’re outfitting a team, launching a campaign, or building a brand, Storm Creek’s apparel isn’t just something to wear—it’s something to believe in.

Final Thoughts

Storm Creek is more than a merch supplier—they’re a movement. For brands looking to align their promotional products with purpose, Storm Creek delivers a rare combination of style, substance, and sustainability.

*All photos courtesy of Storm Creek