Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2016 21:18:45 GMT -8
When I last retired a backpack, I gave it to a homeless person along with a fleece jacket.
But on a differnt track, I am part of a 'thing' that cycles through equipment as the equipment ages. Such as in my quest for lowered gear weight both my wife and I went through several replacements of gear; which the homeless benifited from.
But as I think about it, the industry I involve myself with wants me to continue purchasing new equipment but does not offer solutions as to what to do with the old equipment.
All this plastic, backpacks, clothes, headlamps, stuff sacks, rain gear, tarps, ground cloths, tents, rope, water bottles, boots, trekking poles, and the list gets longer the more I think on it.
When the life of the gear is done what do I do with it? Collect it in my attic or basement? Put it out of sight and hope it does not end up on the Great Pacific garbage patch?
I really wish the industry was a bit more responsible for all the old gear.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Mar 6, 2016 21:42:32 GMT -8
We're responsible for what we acquire not some "the industry".
I tend to donate anyhting truly no longer of use to me (not much) to university outings clubs and or the Salvation Army.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Mar 7, 2016 2:27:59 GMT -8
Well, Patagonia has a program that helps, but I don't know of any 100% solution. They have what they call Worn Wear, which basically tries to extend the life of clothing or donate it to others. A few years ago they fixed a jacket of mine for free. I think they'll still do that, but now they will also provide kits and instructions on how to do it yourself (saves shipping, fuel costs, etc.). Now it looks like they've teamed with Yerdle (never heard of 'em) to either recycle old clothing or donate it to others. Looks like you can get some sort of Yerdle dollars. I've never heard of Yerdle before, but I guess it can't hurt. |
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Post by Lamebeaver on Mar 7, 2016 4:15:37 GMT -8
When the life of the gear is done what do I do with it? Drop it off at Goodwill and take the tax writeoff |
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Mar 7, 2016 5:13:32 GMT -8
I can't think of a single piece of gear that i've been forced to throw away.
However, i've only been camping & backpacking since ~2002 so my original gear isn't quite to the point of being antiquated yet.
I'd say a scout donation or goodwill is the best option.
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foxalo
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Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Post by foxalo on Mar 7, 2016 14:22:22 GMT -8
Donate to a local Boy Scout troop. Many city troops can't afford to do backpacking, camping, etc without donations.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Mar 7, 2016 15:13:30 GMT -8
I agree with foxalo, give it to a scout troop. If that doesn't strike your fancy, check out the local programs that work with troubled youth through outdoor experiences. In either case you can take a tax write off and feel good about your old gear being used.
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BlueBear
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Post by BlueBear on Mar 7, 2016 16:18:13 GMT -8
I've given lots to scout troops, easy to do and the kids use it.
Some stuff I must throw away though... I'm pretty sure no one wants my shredded-up rain pants or stitched-and-worn-and-restitched hiking shirts. If anyone has great ideas of what to do with the stuff that's actually worn out from use (not just giving away 'cause I bought something better), let me know. I've come up with no grand solutions for that yet.
- Mike
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Mar 7, 2016 16:30:46 GMT -8
If anyone has great ideas of what to do with the stuff that's actually worn out from use (not just giving away 'cause I bought something better), let me know. There's no shame in throwing away anything that has been honestly used to the point of no repair. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Mar 7, 2016 20:11:51 GMT -8
There are some places that accept worn out clothes for rags, but I suspect the techy fabrics aren't much good for that, and probably they end up dumping them.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 2:25:28 GMT -8
I've given quite a few things to the Salvation Army. But I'm also a tinkerer with a lot of tools. I save some old gear because I never know what I can refashion later into something useful. With a little creativity, some needle-nosed pliers and so on, and a sewing machine, who knows what a guy can come up with?
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jj
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Post by jj on Mar 8, 2016 3:35:00 GMT -8
Once we have invested the money into gear, we hang on to it until it is useless (aka: shredded). We both have been hiking/backpacking since mid-90's - al be it, not together until 2008. Our first tent went to our 2 teenage sons to use. We still use his original for dry storage when taking the kids car or canoe camping. We both had old school Coleman dual fuel's that are in our SHTF emergency gear (earthquake/volcano country here) before upgrading to Mini-mo's. Son & son-in-law have our original packs '93 & '95. We use packs from '99 & '02. Same rain gear since '04. Hiking boots go for a season and then become work shoes until destroyed. Guess we look at it differently.. Our gear is like our friend... We take care of it and it takes care of us.
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crawford
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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on Mar 8, 2016 10:57:52 GMT -8
I want to encourage the Boy Scout donation as well. I know in the troop I run, we have some boys who can't afford much in the line of gear. We are always borrowing, bargaining, and trading to get equipment for some. Fortunately, we've benefited from a number of good donations. You could really make a difference for a young Scout and start him on a lifelong enjoyment with backpacking.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2016 13:17:52 GMT -8
My thanks to Backpacker Mag for taking the time to offer some recycling info in the April 2016 issue on page 109.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Mar 23, 2016 14:25:16 GMT -8
What? There's a ...  But seriously, hats off to them if they did so. I haven't seen that issue yet. |
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