Even hiking gear is getting recycled

We recently bought business cards for Just South of North as way to promote the blog when we are out and about. The idea was started at the Sounders game when we were interviewing fans. They would say, "what's the name of your site?"

We would respond with, Just South of North.

They would then say something about trying to remember that. Hand them a small business card and BOOM! problem solved.

While designing these business cards, the company was promoting their recycled paper. Recycled paper has been around for almost as long as I can remember. But what about recycled gear? Now that's something new.

No, recycled gear doesn't mean taking your old outdoor gear and giving it to other outdoors people. Instead it means taking old outdoor gear and using the materials to create new gear.

I came across an article on trails.com that discussed a few of the companies that are doing this and the products they have designed. The article was written by Naomi Judd. It was a great article and a great idea. Here are three of the companies that are recycling gear according to the article:

Patagonia

Patagonia is a company that has taken the lead in recycled outerwear. Their Common Threads Garment Recycling program was launched in 2005. This enables customers to return their worn out Capilene base layers, fleece, Polartec, cotton t-shirts and nylon 6 products. Patagonia then recycles these threads to produce recycled outerwear such as Capilene base layers, many of their mid-layers like their R1 Pullover which is made of 60 percent recycled polyester and many of their pants such as the all-recycled polyester women's Borderless Pants. Patagonia also makes some of their hiking shoes with recycled materials such as the Women's Finn shoes. They are made with a 30 percent recycled rubber outsole, 15 percent recycled EVA foam midsole and a 70 percent recycled synthetic cork foot bed. The Patagonia Drifter boots are made with 100 percent recycled polyethylene/polyurethane insole.

Marmot

New for 2009, Marmot has made a line of EcoPro sleeping bags that are made of 100 percent recycled polyester fabric and insulation. They are also making quick-drying t-shirts and performance outerwear out of their 50 percent UpCycle (recycled) Polyester. Marmot makes clothing out of 100 percent recycled wool, such as the Women's Isa Full Zip Hoodie and Polartec Fleeces that are made with UpCycle stretch fabric.

Lafuma

This French company has been making recycled backpacking wear and packs since 1998. The Lafuma Eco 40 pack is made of 65 percent hemp and 35 percent recycled polyester. The Lafuma 28 pack is similarly constructed, as are many more of their products. Lafuma produces over 50 percent of their fleeces with recycled polyester and has a fleece recycling program with Ecotextile. They financially support the WWF (world wildlife foundation).

This topic of recycled gear intrigued me so I decided to look for where I could buy some of this recycled gear. I didn't have to look far, as the first Google search produced, trails.com

You can buy recycled gear from their site.

REI also offers a selection of recycled gear products online. I'm not sure about in the store, but I'll be in there on Friday so I'll ask an associate then.

So from sleeping bags that are made from old fleeces to tents whos poles are created without using toxic chemicals, it looks like the makers of outdoor products have "gone green." And with this new gear, you can get outside to the green.