The most sustainable item is the one you already own. It’s one of those eco-clichés, but it’s inescapably true. There’s nothing greener than the waterproof jacket that’s already hanging up in the hall, the bike you’ve been riding for years, or the skis that have seen you through multiple seasons. Resisting the temptation to buy into the latest colourways or the next generation of your year-old gear is one of the simplest and most effective ways you can reduce waste and lessen your environmental impact. According to data from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), around £30 billion of unused clothing is currently hanging in our wardrobes, with an estimated £140 million worth going into landfill each year.
If that winter belay jacket only makes it out the cupboard for a couple of weeks a year, do you really need to update it? Let’s not forget too, that for many people, ‘making do’ is a default state rather than a choice. Gear is expensive and cost can be a real barrier. Gear sharing platform, KitUp, was created with all of this in mind, aiming to improve accessibility to the outdoors and boost the sustainability credentials of the kit people already own.
Founded in recent years by ex-British army officer Bruce Leishman, the idea for the scheme came about whilst training soldiers in far-flung places. Leishman noticed that many were reluctant to participate in outdoor activities owing to a lack of experience and previous access to the outdoors and limited knowledge of safety and how to use equipment properly. With a desire to open up outdoor sports and activities to more people, KitUp was created.
Back to that belay jacket. KitUp’s rental scheme enables items that might otherwise be stored away for the majority of their life to be put to better use. Rather than being a brand-specific scheme, KitUp is a community network that operates via an app and online, and it doesn’t stop at clothes. Covering everything from helmets and avalanche equipment to SUPs, tents and kids’ waterproofs, KitUp forms a central, virtual library where individuals and businesses can advertise surplus bits of kit that are languishing in warehouses or the garage. Prospective renters can find items based on location, what they’re looking for and the dates they need it, while owners can make a bit of extra pocket money. You can even set up alerts to let you know when someone wants to book your gear.
Not sure if you really like gravel biking just yet? Renting kit means you can ‘try before you buy’, reducing costs and your impact on the planet’s resources compared to buying new. It gets neglected items back in use and enables more people to get kitted out, stuck in, and making the most of the outdoors.
