In an effort to assess the climate and water impact of three types of Nuuly rentals, we partnered with Third Partners, a sustainability consulting firm, to develop a dynamic data model, focused on product utilization and environmental footprint amortization over the garment’s lifetime.

More Wears = More Efficient Impact

A garment rented from Nuuly generally has a higher lifetime carbon footprint than the purchased alternative, due to the incremental impact of transportation and laundering of each rent. However, the incremental wears from multiple users can make impact more efficient.

In other words, more rents equates to more transportation and washing, but also more wears.

The Environmental Impact of Renting Puffer Jackets

Here, we'll be looking at the environmental impact of renting puffer jackets. We selected them for study because their seasonality adds nuance to the utilization conversation—they’re worn only at certain times of year unlike all-season jeans, and are made to last for many years, unlike every-once-in-while occasion dresses. Thanks to their durability, they have a high assumed lifetime utilization.

Key finding: The average Nuuly puffer jacket is worn 2x times more than the purchased alternative. Due to higher utilization, the carbon impact per wear of Nuuly puffer jackets is 50% lower.

On average, and compared to the purchased alternative, Nuuly puffer jackets have:

• 2x more lifetime wears
• -50% carbon impact*
• -51% water impact*

*per wear

How The Average Nuulyer Can Keep The Average Nuuly Puffer’s Impact Even Lower

Wear your rented puffer! Wearing it even once makes it more efficient in its carbon and water footprint. Need a reason to go outside on a cold winter day? Take a walk to the coffee shop in your puffer jacket for a latte and lower environmental impact. A few more tips for keeping utilization high and impact low for yourself and others in the Nuuly community:

• Need to have a puffer jacket at the ready? Browse The Thrift Shop for a secondhand puffer. It’s a great investment—and great for lowering its impact—because they are made to last for years.
• Keep it out of the washer at home, please! There’s nothing sadder than a puffer that’s lost its oomph, and home washing can depuff and damage a jacket if not done correctly, taking it out of rental circulation. We know exactly how to wash puffers safely and efficiently so they stay puffed for a good long time.

Seasonality + Climate Variance Are Great Reasons To Rent Puffer Jackets

The fact that puffers are worn seasonally and in colder climates is a great reason to rent them. If you live in a warm climate, owning a heavy puffer might not make sense for your lifestyle. And if you’re only wearing it for a short period of time in a year, storing it in the off-season means it’s missing out on lots of extra wears by someone else.

Want more info on Nuuly’s sustainability and circularity? Right this way .