Lab Notes

After reading all the comments and thinking about it a bit, I’m inclined to go with the idea proposed by Chiz… that is recycle into something else, in the Uk, that would be nice/good using down, but not put into a ‘high end’ product where performance is critical….
stuff em into ‘alp-pillows’ instead!

Possibly a Pipe dream? I’d support any appropriate scheme for recycling, but have a couple of worries about the viability of a scheme for down intended for ‘high end’ products. First down is bulky, and very light, cant be compressed and you’d need a lot (more than Alpkit could amass?) and I doubt it would be free for the return container trip, it depends on whether shipping fees are by the kilo (cheap!) or cu metre (more pricey). If there was a scheme in UK that would surely be better?

But mainly, the down from a myriad of different products of different ages would be all mixed together, how would this be separated? much of the down, if it has had a good use, would be broken or knackered. I wouldn’t want a down jacket full of broken, old, down; surely the processing cost of weeding out the broken feathers etc -if actually possible- would make it costly, unfortunately new is often cheaper than refurbished.

so maybe better to find a bulk feather user/recycler in uk, or come up with something to use them for, making some nice ‘eider’downs, or just compost it in small quantities? I’m personally more interested in a scheme for recycling old climbing ropes, fleeces and other plastics. I think there probably is a role for kit makers to get together and think about solutions to deal with end use of gear, just this probably isn’t the product?

If recycling the down means sending it to China then it’s pointless, empty container or not. UK companies like Mountaineering Designs in Keswick will re-shell your bags and add extra if needs be. I also doubt you’d be saving any Geese as I imagine the down is a by-product of animals farmed for food at any rate. As it stands both my down jacket and bag are 10 years old and still going strong, despite plenty of abuse.

I think one of the prohibiting factors as to why the recycling isn’t done here or in Europe is the cost of the machines and more than likely labour costs. You would need a substantial amount of down to justify the cost of purchasing all the correct equipment I would have thought.

Think of the long term -
It would take an awful lot of dumped sleeping bags to fill just one container (especaily as most climbers don’t throw kit away until they really really have to!)
HOWEVER…
if a reliable supply of re-cycled down became available it is likely a local company would spot a market for using it.  More likely for garmet refurbishment rather than new gear but would eventually cut out the requirement to ship it across the world.

A similar porcess has occurred in many of the other recycled material industries like glass etc.

Ok, Ill throw my 2 cents in.
Recycling is always a good practice,...however, as James notes, all fuel costs have to be tallied at the end, and even though the containers are being sent back to china full or not, the real questions should be why can this not be done on UK/Euro soil?  By making a profitable venture for a recycling company in China only increases the demand for our trash to be fueled across the world and back. I am glad to see ALPKIT on the ball, thinking about this stuff.  I would stick to the permiculture montra though, and keep your circles of use and re-use small.

I have a resealable Marks and Sparks carrier bag that is full of down from a sleeping bag that i had which had a little close encounter with a pocket rocket…..saving it up to recycle it my self. I am planning on making a super toasty warm pillow or foot bag ( now theres an idea guys..a foot bag !!)

Recycling down is certainly a step forward, but as with all things it would have to be an affordable excursion for all involved. To really entice people to do this, supply plastic bags ( that you could reuse ) with prepaid postage on it - or something along those lines, that way you’d certainly get more interest. The downside to that of course is the cost.

Uhhuh…I guess this answers my own question..should have looked further:

Policy

Wherever possible we try to follow the following guidelines:

  * No child labour
  * No prison labour
  * Payment above minimum wage
  * A safe working environment
  * Fair payment of suppliers
  * Only legal transactions
  * Environmentally friendly production

..but sometime we just don’t know. We do care, and we will try our best to do the right thing as the company grows.

Nick, Chunk, Jim and Kenny

God on ya Alpguys

I’d still like to know where the down comes from, or rather, how it is collected. Animal welfare practices, along with many labour practices are often somewhat suspect in the far east.

Does Alpkit have an ethical policy?