Outdoors guy and blogger Andy Howell invited me to write on sustainability for his Must be This Way blog. I was happy to have a say as Andy not only writes a great blog, but is also a customer of ours. What became very clear from the responses is that the outdoor community is splitting and the split is becoming deeper.
The split is between those that use, value and care for the outdoors, and those that use it, but don't care for or about it. We've all seen the piles of rubbish left by moronic walkers on our moors, fells, mountains and coastal paths. This behaviour typifies the latter. They don't care how much pollution their gear creates in its production and manufacture as long as it's cheap, and/or it's .00001g lighter than something else. That it will wear out, or become unwearable within a short time, creates a huge amount of pollution in its manufacture, uses up unrenewable resources better reserved for more important things, and will end up in expensive and rapidly running out landfill, doesn't seem to matter to these people.
The environment does matter to us. We want gear that performs well in keeping us safe and comfortable in the outdoors (and indoors for that matter), and is the least polluting of the options available. It's why our gear is New Zealand Merino and made in New Zealand. Our customers think the same, or they wouldn't be our customers - so thanks to all of you.
To the rest (although I know it's very unlikely any of you will read this) - perhaps you should start to understand that your litter, whether thrown on the moors, mountains etc., or filling ever more landfill sites, pollutes the planet - and we will all have to pay to clean up the mess - including you.
The split is between those that use, value and care for the outdoors, and those that use it, but don't care for or about it. We've all seen the piles of rubbish left by moronic walkers on our moors, fells, mountains and coastal paths. This behaviour typifies the latter. They don't care how much pollution their gear creates in its production and manufacture as long as it's cheap, and/or it's .00001g lighter than something else. That it will wear out, or become unwearable within a short time, creates a huge amount of pollution in its manufacture, uses up unrenewable resources better reserved for more important things, and will end up in expensive and rapidly running out landfill, doesn't seem to matter to these people.
The environment does matter to us. We want gear that performs well in keeping us safe and comfortable in the outdoors (and indoors for that matter), and is the least polluting of the options available. It's why our gear is New Zealand Merino and made in New Zealand. Our customers think the same, or they wouldn't be our customers - so thanks to all of you.
To the rest (although I know it's very unlikely any of you will read this) - perhaps you should start to understand that your litter, whether thrown on the moors, mountains etc., or filling ever more landfill sites, pollutes the planet - and we will all have to pay to clean up the mess - including you.
4 comments:
Well said.
:-)
It needs to be said a lot more too, and very loudly. I don't recall reading about this in the outdoor magazines. Perhaps an approach could be made to TGO?
Thanks Alan - you've no idea how much your comment means to us. As to TGO, or any other outdoor magazine that has to depend on advertising to pay its wages, it's hard to see how can they be totally honest in their reviews?
We've seen reviews of stuff we know is poor quality and from an unsustainable resource - and sometimes not even fit for purpose. If the mag is carrying a big glossy ad for that brand, you can bet none of the downside will be mentioned :-(
Perhaps as others have said, all reviews should be labelled as "spontaneous" i.e. from paying customers, or "commercial" i.e. paid for by way of advertising or free gear.
I found the comment thread on your piece on Andy's blog to be fascinating.
Wurz has history in contrariness and not to put too fine a point on it, bloody-mindedness. Eddie just came across as an uncaring crank who had missed the whole point of the article.
I thought your article was well researched, factually based and thought provoking.
I have had merino base layers that are still going strong for over six years now. I would never consider looking at *any* other material for use in the UK. The design of my base layers (Icebreaker) wasn't great, with fat shoulder seams, but the material itself has lasted well and performed fantastically.
The next base layers I'll buy will definitely be yours - ethically produced, with good designs and great materials.
Thanks for writing, Amanda.
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