Here For The Long Run

• Sustainability is Core to Tailwind’s Identity: Rooted in the outdoor lifestyle of Durango, CO, Tailwind weaves environmental responsibility into every facet of its business—from culture to operations.

• Innovative Facility and Production Practices: Both the office and factory run on solar power, with efficient production software and eco-conscious daily practices (like ditching single-use plastics and using green sanitizers) helping reduce their footprint.

• Eco-Friendly Shipping and Sourcing: Ingredient suppliers are chosen based on environmental values and proximity, while packaging and shipping materials are evolving to include biodegradable and reusable options.

• Trailblazing Sustainable Packaging: Tailwind uses post-consumer recycled materials, algae-based carbon-sequestering inks, and is developing fully recyclable, non-metalized single-serve packets—setting new standards in sports fuel packaging.

From packaging to production, Tailwind is pioneering sustainability initiatives in the sports fuel industry. 

Sustainability is built into Tailwind’s DNA. Founded by outdoor athletes and made in the beautiful town of Durango, Colorado, stewarding the planet is not only critical to our business model, but to who we are as individuals.

“Tailwind and nature go hand-in-hand,” said Monika Glenn, quality assurance and research and development manager. “We all personally care about the environment. We love living in a place with great access to the mountains, and our sustainability efforts as a business need to match.”

Before joining the Tailwind team four years ago, Monika was a pioneer in sustainable packaging, helping develop an edible, compostable plate. As someone who “hates plastic” and is passionate about the environment, sustainability initiatives quickly became a critical part of her role.

She’s helped implement and oversee some of the most innovative and exciting achievements the company has made towards sustainability in several areas, including facility operations, production, shipping, sourcing, packaging and advocacy.

Advocacy

Tailwind has been a proud member of the Colorado Green Business Network since 2024, a voluntary program that supports Colorado businesses pushing towards true operational sustainability. Participation has not only helped propel Tailwind’s own initiatives, but offers opportunities to share learnings and findings with other businesses seeking to improve. 

Facilities and Production 

Both the Tailwind factory and office facility are powered by solar energy and utilize some of the latest technologies in sustainable building. The factory is also using new software to track efficiencies in production, making it possible to create more product in less time—saving big on an energy-demanding process.

But not all of the measures taken to reduce the company’s carbon footprint are as groundbreaking. Monika emphasized the importance of the tiny decisions they make everyday that add up, like using environmentally friendly surface sanitizer in the factory, and not having any single-use plastics in the office.

Shipping and Sourcing 

When sourcing ingredients, potential vendors are evaluated not just on their product but on their own environmental initiatives and proximity to the Tailwind factory (to cut down on transport fuel).

The ingredients themselves (all of which are vegan and non-GMO) are often chosen based on their environmental impact. For example, one of the protein sources in the Recovery Mix is from fava beans, chosen for their powerful nutritional profile and tiny carbon footprint.

Per OSHA requirements, large cases of product have to be stretch wrapped before shipping or storage to ensure safety. Rather than rely on traditional plastic wrap, Tailwind is testing a completely biodegradable wrap for shipping and reusable pallet wraps for in-house storage—the results thus far have been very promising. 

Packaging 

Tailwind is a leader when it comes to sustainable packaging for sports fuels. 

All packaging utilizes PCR materials, and the team is currently developing a single-serving package without the standard metalized layer, so it can be fully recyclable.

The black ink used on conventional packaging is typically made from a carbon black pigment generated from fossil fuels, and is therefore inherently non-renewable.  All Tailwind packaging, on the other hand, is printed with a carbon-neutral algae ink, which actually sequesters more carbon than it emits during production (the algae absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, and produce oxygen through photosynthesis). Learn more about this incredible technology here.

These measures may sound simple, but each one requires months (and sometimes years) of lab testing and trial and error to ensure flavor, shelf life and durability aren’t compromised by the packaging. But for the Tailwind team, it’s a labor of love.

“We support athletes in outdoor sports, and we all spend a lot of time outdoors, so sustainability is really what we’re all about,” Monika said. “We don’t have a business without it.”