BirdieBlue is a Vermont-based circular manufacturing company upcycling retired outdoor gear into premium, one-of-a-kind bags while creating flexible manufacturing jobs for women. We partner with outdoor brands, ski resorts, retailers, and consumers to give technical apparel and equipment that can no longer be repaired, resold, or recycled a valuable second life. Inspired by founder Kate Harvey's ripped ski pants and the lack of end-of-life solutions for outdoor gear, BirdieBlue exists to prove that waste can become opportunity. Since launching in 2022, we've diverted more than 50,000 pounds of gear from landfills, created more than 20 flexible manufacturing jobs for women across rural Vermont, and built partnerships with organizations including Stio, Turtle Fur, and the U.S. Ski Team.

Kate Harvey is the founder and CEO of BirdieBlue, a Vermont-based circular manufacturing company giving retired outdoor gear a second life. A former television journalist and talent executive turned first-time entrepreneur, Kate launched BirdieBlue after ripping her favorite ski pants on a chairlift and discovering there was virtually no end-of-life solution for technical outdoor apparel.

What started with one pair of ski pants has grown into a nationally recognized circular manufacturing business partnering with leading outdoor brands, ski resorts, and retailers to transform gear destined for landfill into premium, one-of-a-kind bags. Since 2022, BirdieBlue has diverted more than 20,000 pieces of outdoor gear from landfills, handcrafted more than 4,000 bags, built a network of more than 20 women sewists across rural Vermont, and established partnerships with organizations including Stio, Turtle Fur, and the U.S. Ski Team. Kate serves on the Vermont Outdoor Business Association Board and was named a 2026 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow for her work advancing circular manufacturing and creating economic opportunity for women.