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Responsible Supply Chains for Outdoor Products is one of three courses in Colorado State University’s Sustainable Outdoor Product Development certificate. The certificate is a short-format, fully online series designed to build systems-level understanding of the outdoor recreation economy, progressing from foundational context to advanced material innovation and supply chain strategy.
This course provides an overview of responsible supply chains for outdoor products. Students explore the global systems, market forces, sustainability pressures, and accountability tools that shape the design, sourcing, production, use, and recovery of outdoor apparel, footwear, and gear. Topics include material complexity, climate volatility, regulation, consumer expectations, circular design, traceability, certifications, and industry standards. The course emphasizes that responsible supply chains require coordinated decisions across product development, sourcing, supplier relationships, data systems, and end of life planning.
Noncredit courses do not produce academic credit nor appear on a Colorado State University academic transcript.
Please note that there are no refunds for open entry courses.
Sonali Diddi, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in Design and Merchandising at Colorado State University whose work centers on sustainability and circular economy innovations across global fashion and outdoor product supply chains. With over 20 years of industry, academic, and research experience across India, Australia, and the United States, she brings a global and systems-level perspective to her teaching and scholarship. Her work examines how material innovations, emerging circular design principles, evolving policy landscapes, and sourcing strategies within a dynamic geopolitical context can be reimagined to create more responsible, regenerative products.