Hazardous Chemicals in the Outdoor Industry

Hazardous Chemicals in the Outdoor Industry

By David Hanney

The outdoor industry’s hazardous chemicals can hurt more than just nature. We aim to eliminate them for cleaner air, water, and trails for the next generation.

From waterpoofs to wetsuits to bike suspension, the outdoor industry has a problem with potentially hazardous chemicals and toxins. They're used thoughout the production process when making outdoor clothing and equipment.

We work with our suppliers to prohibit the use of the most dangerous chemicals and lead the way to make a cleaner and more sustainable outdoor industry.

A Brief Overview

  1. Pollution and toxins in the outdoor industry
  2. Alpkit restricted substances list and route to zero hazardous chemicals
  3. Where can I find out more about hazardous chemicals?

Pollution and toxins in the outdoor industry

About 8000 synthetic chemicals are used in the clothing industry from material production through to the finished garment. The most commonly used chemicals that are hazardous in nature can include: fire retardants; volatile organic chemicals (VOCs); organophosphates; chloroprene; AZO dyes; polyfluorinated substances (PFASs) such as formaldehyde; and phthalates.

We do not profess to be expert in the understanding the nature and impact of all of the chemicals used in our production processes. However, we want to minimise our impact. We make cleaner and more sustainable outdoor clothing equipment by working with industry experts, collaborating with our mills and factories, and seeking 100% sustainably sourced materials wherever possible.

Alpkit restricted substances list and route to zero

We have specific policies in place to address the use of hazardous chemicals in our supply chain. We eliminate organophosphates in tents, PVC from our sleeping mats and all our DWRs are PFC-free.

We have a Restricted Substances List that all our factories and mills sign up to. It prohibits the use of the most hazardous chemicals. We adopt the Restricted Substances List used by the American & Footwear Association.

We sign up to ZHDC Roadmap to Zero to eliminate harmful chemicals from our supply chain.

Where can I find out more about hazardous chemicals and outdoor products?

There are many resources available online to learn more about hazardous chemicals.

Your next reads

A percentage of goodness from Oram

We're delighted to have Anthony Oram choosing the Alpkit Foundation as part of his 1% For the Planet commitment. It's great to be helping and shari...
December 02, 2022

Meet the Makers

We are incredibly proud of the products we make right here in Nottingham. We’re always chuffed to bits when we see rolls of fabric go into our fact...
March 03, 2023

Donate a Good Night's Sleep Through Continuum

The nights are drawing in. And soon temperatures will drop. Send in your old sleeping bag and we'll make sure it goes to someone who needs it this ...
September 09, 2022
Alpkit update

Alpkit update

Well its been a busy few months, I’ve moved down to Nottingham and started a new job, I’ve finally got used to work and have got used to 15 mile ro...
March 04, 2009

We've been shortlisted for Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year

We're finalists for the 2021 Great British Entrepreneur Awards for the Midlands region – and in a year of 4,800 entries! We've made it to the final...
July 13, 2021

Can Business be a Force for Good?

We're facing many challenges. From the climate change, through diversity & inclusion in the outdoors to improving working conditions in supply ...
February 12, 2021

Our Journey Towards Plastic Free Packaging

Sustainability has been at the heart of everything we’ve done since we were a teeny tiny start up. We’re now a B Corp, a member of The Microfibre C...
June 20, 2022

People and Planet Before Profit

Alpkit 2021 Sustainability Report We're proud to release our 2021 Sustainability Report in a landmark year. A treasured moment of last year was to ...
February 02, 2021

GRI Content Index to Alpkit 2023 Sustainability Report

Our 2023 Sustainability Report uses the GRI standards framework. GRI is the Global Reporting Initiative that sets out best practice for how busines...
March 08, 2023

We've signed the Microfibre 2030 Commitment

Whether we like it or not, we will all leave our mark on the earth. But we want to leave a good one. We’ve just become a signatory of the Microfibr...
October 06, 2021

Recycle your down jacket, duvet or sleeping bag with Re:Down

We love down. It’s light, soft and insulating. It’s natural, durable and in high demand. But after we’re done with our insulated clothing and equip...
January 18, 2024

It's Official - We're a B Corp

From day one, Alpkit has always tried to do things the right way. We’re advocates of the highest ethical standards and have always chosen the most ...
September 02, 2020
Climate Change Consortium of Wales

Climate Change Consortium of Wales

Bethan Davies attends a climate change conference in Aberystwyth C3W Conference 27th-28th April 2011, Aberystwyth Last week, in between the two lon...
May 11, 2011

Here's Ross - Meet the Alpkit Foundation Trustees

"I'm Ross, I live in the sunny Scottish capital city of Edinburgh with my wife, two kids and one, quite frankly, bonkers Springer Spaniel! Work wis...
September 08, 2023

Alpkit nominated Brand of the Year in TGO Awards 2024

We're delighted to have been nominated for Brand of the Year in the TGO Awards 2024. The winners are voted for by the public and voting is now open...
January 21, 2024

Our Use of Recycled Materials

We’re doing our bit. And we always have. We’re on a long journey towards being an even more environmentally and socially responsible business. Part...
April 06, 2022

Introducing our Sustainability Policy

We've been going nice places and doing good things for a while, well before we set up Alpkit back in 2004,and it's developed into our main guiding ...
September 13, 2019

Microfibres And The Use Of Plastic In Our Clothing

We’re delighted to have been part of the Microfibre Consortium since the beginning. Because when brands come together, decision makers come togethe...
March 02, 2022

Towards a Net Zero Workplace

In November last year, Mark Stacey, our Head of Retail, went to visit a potential new store in Edinburgh. On the way back, he took a call. "How was...
October 21, 2021

Buy once. Buy well.

It’s our shared love of the outdoors and belief in nature that binds us. Life is simpler when you love the outdoors. You have no choice but to do t...
October 27, 2020

Five of our Favourite Continuum Donations

Circular economy. Recycling. Hand-me-downs. Whatever you want to call it, Continuum is our way of getting unloved kit outdoors. Letting it live out...
October 07, 2021

We Won Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year!

We won Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year for the Midlands region at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards! The Great British Entrepreneur Awa...
November 23, 2021

Net Zero With Science Based Targets

Our Full Life Carbon Footprint Estimating our full life carbon footprint is incredibly exciting. It focuses the urgent action to tackle our climate...
February 18, 2022

Our Zero to Landfill Policy

Sustainability is and always has been at the forefront of what we do. That’s why we’ve been aiming to send zero waste to landfill for years. And ye...
March 21, 2022

How We Can Support Ukraine

We’re coming together to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. We are calling out for and coordinating donations of good, usable kit. Thank...
March 10, 2022

Why Repair and Reuse Beats Recycle

100 billion items of clothing are made every year for 8 billion people. The globalisation of the clothing industry is wreaking havoc on our environ...
May 24, 2023

7122 Repairs in 2022!

In 2022, 7122 repairs were carried out by our skilled Repair Heroes across all of our Alpkit stores. No matter the brand, if you have a sleeping ba...
March 03, 2023

Alpkit Foundation Surpasses £750,000 in Support for Outdoor Projects Across the UK

The Alpkit Foundation is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in its journey to support communities and individuals across the UK: over £75...
October 16, 2024

A percentage of goodness from Oram

We're delighted to have Anthony Oram choosing the Alpkit Foundation as part of his 1% For the Planet commitment. It's great to be helping and shari...
December 02, 2022

Meet the Makers

We are incredibly proud of the products we make right here in Nottingham. We’re always chuffed to bits when we see rolls of fabric go into our fact...
March 03, 2023

Donate a Good Night's Sleep Through Continuum

The nights are drawing in. And soon temperatures will drop. Send in your old sleeping bag and we'll make sure it goes to someone who needs it this ...
September 09, 2022
Alpkit update

Alpkit update

Well its been a busy few months, I’ve moved down to Nottingham and started a new job, I’ve finally got used to work and have got used to 15 mile ro...
March 04, 2009

We've been shortlisted for Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year

We're finalists for the 2021 Great British Entrepreneur Awards for the Midlands region – and in a year of 4,800 entries! We've made it to the final...
July 13, 2021

Can Business be a Force for Good?

We're facing many challenges. From the climate change, through diversity & inclusion in the outdoors to improving working conditions in supply ...
February 12, 2021

Our Journey Towards Plastic Free Packaging

Sustainability has been at the heart of everything we’ve done since we were a teeny tiny start up. We’re now a B Corp, a member of The Microfibre C...
June 20, 2022

People and Planet Before Profit

Alpkit 2021 Sustainability Report We're proud to release our 2021 Sustainability Report in a landmark year. A treasured moment of last year was to ...
February 02, 2021

GRI Content Index to Alpkit 2023 Sustainability Report

Our 2023 Sustainability Report uses the GRI standards framework. GRI is the Global Reporting Initiative that sets out best practice for how busines...
March 08, 2023

We've signed the Microfibre 2030 Commitment

Whether we like it or not, we will all leave our mark on the earth. But we want to leave a good one. We’ve just become a signatory of the Microfibr...
October 06, 2021

Recycle your down jacket, duvet or sleeping bag with Re:Down

We love down. It’s light, soft and insulating. It’s natural, durable and in high demand. But after we’re done with our insulated clothing and equip...
January 18, 2024

It's Official - We're a B Corp

From day one, Alpkit has always tried to do things the right way. We’re advocates of the highest ethical standards and have always chosen the most ...
September 02, 2020
Climate Change Consortium of Wales

Climate Change Consortium of Wales

Bethan Davies attends a climate change conference in Aberystwyth C3W Conference 27th-28th April 2011, Aberystwyth Last week, in between the two lon...
May 11, 2011

Here's Ross - Meet the Alpkit Foundation Trustees

"I'm Ross, I live in the sunny Scottish capital city of Edinburgh with my wife, two kids and one, quite frankly, bonkers Springer Spaniel! Work wis...
September 08, 2023

Alpkit nominated Brand of the Year in TGO Awards 2024

We're delighted to have been nominated for Brand of the Year in the TGO Awards 2024. The winners are voted for by the public and voting is now open...
January 21, 2024

Our Use of Recycled Materials

We’re doing our bit. And we always have. We’re on a long journey towards being an even more environmentally and socially responsible business. Part...
April 06, 2022

Introducing our Sustainability Policy

We've been going nice places and doing good things for a while, well before we set up Alpkit back in 2004,and it's developed into our main guiding ...
September 13, 2019

Microfibres And The Use Of Plastic In Our Clothing

We’re delighted to have been part of the Microfibre Consortium since the beginning. Because when brands come together, decision makers come togethe...
March 02, 2022

Towards a Net Zero Workplace

In November last year, Mark Stacey, our Head of Retail, went to visit a potential new store in Edinburgh. On the way back, he took a call. "How was...
October 21, 2021

Buy once. Buy well.

It’s our shared love of the outdoors and belief in nature that binds us. Life is simpler when you love the outdoors. You have no choice but to do t...
October 27, 2020

Five of our Favourite Continuum Donations

Circular economy. Recycling. Hand-me-downs. Whatever you want to call it, Continuum is our way of getting unloved kit outdoors. Letting it live out...
October 07, 2021

We Won Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year!

We won Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year for the Midlands region at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards! The Great British Entrepreneur Awa...
November 23, 2021

Net Zero With Science Based Targets

Our Full Life Carbon Footprint Estimating our full life carbon footprint is incredibly exciting. It focuses the urgent action to tackle our climate...
February 18, 2022

Our Zero to Landfill Policy

Sustainability is and always has been at the forefront of what we do. That’s why we’ve been aiming to send zero waste to landfill for years. And ye...
March 21, 2022

How We Can Support Ukraine

We’re coming together to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. We are calling out for and coordinating donations of good, usable kit. Thank...
March 10, 2022

Why Repair and Reuse Beats Recycle

100 billion items of clothing are made every year for 8 billion people. The globalisation of the clothing industry is wreaking havoc on our environ...
May 24, 2023

7122 Repairs in 2022!

In 2022, 7122 repairs were carried out by our skilled Repair Heroes across all of our Alpkit stores. No matter the brand, if you have a sleeping ba...
March 03, 2023

Alpkit Foundation Surpasses £750,000 in Support for Outdoor Projects Across the UK

The Alpkit Foundation is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in its journey to support communities and individuals across the UK: over £75...
October 16, 2024

Kit Goes On

The kit you love is the kit you use the most. The more ambitious our adventures, and the more frequently we get out there – the more strain this pu...
May 24, 2023

Send Your Sleeping Bag to Syria and Turkey

The Continuum Project is currently focusing its efforts on the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. We're collecting donations of sleeping bags to send ...
February 14, 2023

April's Sewing Stories

If you extend the life of your gear from 3 years to 5 years, you will reduce your carbon footprint by 40%. That’s huge! And it’s not just better fo...
May 06, 2022

Never Too Old

About five years ago, Steve heard a quote that changed the course of his life. "No one ever laid on their death bed wishing they had more money. In...
November 04, 2022

Deforestation and the Outdoor Industry

Without care and action, the outdoor clothes we wear and products we use could be associated with deforestation. We aim to eliminate the risk defor...
March 08, 2023

Mountain Rescue fundraiser weekend

The late May bank holiday weekend saw some fantastic weather, perfect for getting out on the hills. It also gave us the chance to raise money for t...
June 11, 2021

Double Donation to the Alpkit Foundation for Black Friday

It’s on. Our Black Friday sale is back. And it's massive. From the 17th to midnight on the 29th of November, shop discounted products across online...
November 17, 2021

Apply! £10,000 to grassroots projects within National Parks

On August 19th Jen and Cookie, her rescue dog, set off on an adventure to walk across all national parks in England. 10-weeks-10-national-parks-and...
September 14, 2023

Highly Commended at the edie Sustainability Leaders Awards!

This Wednesday the 30th of March, we were awarded Highly Commended Small Business of the Year at the edie Sustainability Leaders Awards. Yay! The e...
April 01, 2022

Double Donation, Double Thank You

Wow, what a whirlwind that was. Our Black Friday Sale is now over. Thanks to our customers, we have raised enough to support over another 100 proje...
November 30, 2021

Hazardous Chemicals in the Outdoor Industry

From waterpoofs to wetsuits to bike suspension, the outdoor industry has a problem with potentially hazardous chemicals and toxins. They're used th...
October 02, 2022

May's Sewing Stories

We've been making memories with our clothing and kit for years. And we want to make more. More adventures. More memories. More stories. The more we...
June 08, 2022

Leave a Trace

Plant a tree. Repair a wall. Pick up litter. Say 'hi' to a stranger. Pass things on. Repair old gear. Use sustainable materials. Make gear you'll l...
October 29, 2021

June Sewing Stories

We hope you love reading our sewing stories just as much as we love sharing them. Sometimes our Repair heroes are doing big, long projects. Giving ...
June 30, 2022

We’ve committed to reduce our carbon emissions by 46%

We’re taking active measures to reduce our carbon emissions by 46%, as part of a commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. To meet this...
July 09, 2021

10% of sales in store for local MRT

This bank holiday weekend each of our stores will be donating 10% of sales to their local Mountain Rescue Team through the Alpkit Foundation. We’r...
May 21, 2021

9 in 10 UK outdoor enthusiasts consider sustainability in their purchase decisions

Sustainability is so important to us here. And we know it's something that many of our customers care deeply about too, which is why we were deligh...
May 12, 2021

We Give 1% For The Planet

It’s part of our Alpkit DNA to give back. We’ve been donating 1% of our sales to the Alpkit Foundation since 2015. And we’ve now been certified by ...
February 17, 2022

Big Shakeout Festival 2021

In 2021, we're delighted to have been able to welcome customers, friends and family back the Big Shakeout Festival. After 2 years off, we were chom...
November 09, 2021

March's Sewing Stories

This is the fifth installment in our Sewing Stories series. That means we’ve told 25 lovely stories of keeping gear going longer, making it fit and...
March 25, 2022

Conflict Minerals

We live in a worldwide trading system with complex supply chains that spans across the globe. Everyday products such as phones, TVs and batteries h...
March 05, 2023

Hey Naomi! Meet the Alpkit Foundation Trustees

"I’m Naomi! Assistant manager of Alpkit Customer Service, lover of running, hiking, and outdoor swimming." We're kinda lucky to be in the outdoor i...
August 18, 2023

Extending our commitment to 1% for the Planet

The world doesn't change overnight. Fortunately, we are in it for the long haul. Our love of the outdoors and the world's wild places guides the wa...
February 02, 2024

Is Circularity A Myth?

This is an extract from Damian Hall's upcoming book, We Can't Run Away From This. It's about improving running's footprint in the climate emergency...
July 21, 2022

This is Abby! Meet the Alpkit Foundation Trustees

"Hi, I'm Abby and I'm the Manager at Alpkit Keswick and I've been here since opening in 2019. I have always lived in the Lake District and I'm trul...
September 26, 2023

Kitsquad Bridge the Gap to Outdoor Adventures for Those in Need

In a world that increasingly values outdoor experiences, the barriers faced by individuals and families on low incomes can often go unnoticed, or i...
January 10, 2024

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

=