Industry: Environment
Doing our bit for a green future
With green issues becoming more prominent in society, how is the outdoor industry trying to become more environmentally friendly?
W
ith every mainstream political party in the UK now promoting green issues and hybrid cars, and with domestic recycling becoming the norm, the Outdoor Industry has sought to implement policies to do its bit for the environment. With the UK being the second largest outdoor market in Europe with sales in excess of £1.46bn in 2010, there is potential for the UK market to influence European outdoor policy on environmental issues.
One such initiative is the launch of the first European re-use exchange for outdoor gear. In compliance with the UK Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), this new service is dedicated to helping consumers find a solution to the large quantities of used but serviceable outdoor products that find their way into people’s cupboards, lofts and garages. Recycle Outdoor Gear (ROG) lets you swap, sell, buy or donate used outdoor gear for free.
Sarah Howcroft, founder of Recycle Outdoor Gear states that: “Each year in the UK we collectively produce 280 million tonnes of waste. That's a colossal figure which is paid for directly and indirectly by us all. Our own Outdoor Industry is no different from any other in the country making a contribution to this massive figure.” “I believe that the UK Outdoor Industry could
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www.sgboutdoor.co.uk
Every piece in the ODLO evolution story is now green. From the packaging to the product, our winter 12/13 collection is made from 100% recycled polyester.
achieve a great deal if we act collectively and this scheme aims to do just that.”
Andrew Denton, CEO of the Outdoor Industry Association welcomes the new scheme and highlights how the OIA is trying to help the environment:
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“We are the not-for-profit trade body that represents the outdoors trade in the UK and as a group we are committed to improving the overall ecological and environmental impact of our industry. The ROG website ensures our members and our members customers can make an active impact on the amount of outdoor product wasted or discarded, ensures best practice in repair, exchange and donation and will directly lead to less waste and better use of equipment's life-time value."
Outdoor suppliers have also been keen to
promote themselves as environmentally conscious. Take ODLO, the sports and outdoor underwear specialists for instance. The Green Evolution range from ODLO combines the existing Evolution Baselayer Collection with a new environmentally friendly range made from 100% recycled materials. These materials include old car seats, advertising flags and banners and old drinks bottles.
ODLO
Evolution Baselayer
UK sales manager Ian Latham could hardly contain his excitement when talking to SGB and boasted that "Every piece in the ODLO evolution story is now green. From the packaging to the product, our winter 12/13 collection is made from 100% recycled polyester."
Moving into 2012, outdoor retailers should pay close attention to suppliers offering environmentally friendly products. Society is slowly moving towards a more sustainable way of living and it is likely consumers will start to seek out products that minimise the impact on the earth.
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