Where can I re-use, repair or recycle my outdoor gear?

And finally for this week, making the most of your outdoor kit.

Where can I re-use, repair or recycle my outdoor gear? - British Mountaineering Council

The most sustainable product is the product you already own. We've pulled together a list of retailers and organisations who can help you re-use, repair or recycle your old or unwanted clothing and outdoor kit.

pair of waxed cotton gaiters, one dark and waxed the other paler and dry looking — CJS Editor Kerrryn recently reproofed waxed cotton gaiters, guess which one's finished! There's many more miles left in them.

Textile waste is a global issue that brands are increasingly required to take responsibility for so now there are more and more opportunities to help us reduce this waste and repair or dispose of our old kit responsibly.

Outdoor clothing in particular, contains synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester that are made from thin plastic fibres. These man-made substances can have an impact on the environment where they are used so reducing the environmental impact of our products at all stages of their life cycle is essential if we are to reduce our impact.

Recent data from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) suggests outerwear made up the bulk of items the public chucked away (37%) followed by shoes (19%).

The most sustainable product is the product you already own. This means keeping it out of landfill and using it for as long as possible before recycling it or donating it to someone who will continue to use it.

Here at the BMC, we have pulled together a list of retailers and organisations who can help us re-use, repair or recycle all of your old or unwanted kit. View the list here.