Spending time outdoors is what we stand for. We therefore consider it our duty to protect nature. Together with our customers we want to ensure that future generations can enjoy all that natural beauty as well.
This is why we are strongly committed to the circular economy, for instance by giving old clothes and shoes a second life. Through recycling and upcycling, we help to close the circle. This way, we harvest raw materials for new high-quality products so we can achieve our ulterior goal of reducing waste.
“Being a circular business means moving towards slow buying - something we're already doing with our rental and Care & Repair services. It's also about reducing our waste and helping people to buy more consciously.”
Claudia Verswyver, Sustainability Coordinator at A.S.Adventure
Upcycling at A.S.Adventure
From old tents to fitting room curtains: A.S.Adventure gives discarded equipment a new life. An interview with the initiator.
Claudia: "At A.S.Adventure, we are conscious of our impact on the planet. We want to reduce our impact on the environment. That includes reducing waste. We already launched several initiatives in recent years. Just think of our outdoor equipment rental service and our ski rental, our laundry service, our shoe workshop, our repair service for technical clothing and our second-hand offer.
Through upcycling, we want to give products - such as old tents - a second life. Because often when a product is labelled as waste, there are other options as opposed to simply throwing it away. Upcycling therefore has a positive impact on the environment. Because by upcycling, we take 'waste' out of the planet's waste flow. And because we are upcycling, our customers also see that beautiful products can be made from what was originally considered rubbish. We hope to raise awareness and encourage everyone to keep thinking critically. And to show that upcycling can lead to cool results."
“We consume so many more resources every year than the earth produces.”
Claudia Verswyver
Recycling at A.S.Adventure
Partnership with We Make Hope
“In a circular textile economy, today’s clothes are tomorrow’s raw materials.”
We work with We Make Hope and collect old clothes and shoes. This non-profit organisation works closely with the Dutch textile company, Wolkat. Together they ensure usable clothes and shoes can be resold. Depending on their quality, worn pieces can be recycled and processed into new raw materials in different ways.
How can you help?
It’s simple: bring your old clothes and shoes and place them into the recycle box in your A.S.Adventure Store. You don’t even have to buy stuff from A.S.Adventure.
Why us?
Your donation will be used well
Your old belongings will be reused or recycled as much as possible. It’s great news if you want to reduce the waste mountain. Wereld Missie Hulp and their partner, textile company Wolkat, support us in this process.
Communication about projects
We can also let you know every year about the social projects we support. We run these projects partly thanks to your donation.
Support of development project
In 2020, the WMH board decided to grant support only to projects of partners and projects within the framework of the CSR Compass. This support can be given thanks to the sale of donated items. This has already been applied to projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Discover the projects.
How does circular collection work?
1. Donation
Drop your old clothes or shoes off at one of our recycling boxes.
2. Collection
We will pick up the collected material and collect it in our distribution centre.
3. Grading by Wereld Missie Hulp
Our partner Wereld Missie Hulp picks up the items from there and takes them to sorting centres in order to assess the best destination for them.
4. Second Life
The reusable material is sold by Wereld Missie Hulp. The proceeds go to their development projects.
5. Recycling
Your old belongings will be reused or recycled as much as possible. Wolkat takes anything that can’t be used and uses innovative recycling processes to turn the items into new raw materials.
6. Waste management
Garments that cannot be reused or recycled for hygienic, safety or health reasons are subject to strict waste management procedures.
The donation counter keeps ticking up
of used gear has been donated
(since 22 April 2021)
Return your gear: what can you bring in?
Need a new outdoor outfit or a new pair of hiking shoes, but don't want to contribute to tomorrow's waste? Neither do we! Thanks to the recycle boxes in our stores, the journey of your used clothing and shoes knows no end – even if they have tears, holes or stains!
Feel free to drop off the following (in a sealed bag or box, please):
• Clothing & clothing accessories
• Shoes (in pairs)
• Household textiles (towels, table linen, blankets, sheets, etc.)
• Handbags
• Belts
Your local thrift shop would be happy to have these:
• Sleeping bags
• Backpacks
• Ski or snowboard boots and ice skates
• Pillows
• Rags or shredded fabrics
• Tents
Our partners
We Make Hope
We Make Hope is a non-profit organisation that builds a better world with old clothing for people in all four corners of the globe. They support small-scale development projects so people can develop themselves and strengthen their community. The organisation uses resources from the collection and sustainable processing of clothing. You undoubtedly already know about We Make Hope from the red clothing containers.
Wolkat
Dutch textile company, Wolkat, supports us with the innovative and sustainable processing of large quantities of textiles. Wolkat sells clothing that is still wearable and uses many different recycling techniques to give life to the other items. Most of it is turned into fibre and processed into new textile.
Read more about sustainability
Corporate Social Responsibility at A.S.Adventure
Corporate Social Responsibility means making the best possible choices for people and the environment. From a sustainable product range and the repair of your belongings, to sustainable packaging and CO2 reductions: every link in our company deserves special attention.
On the way to sustainable purchases
Do you have a preference for environmentally friendly purchases? It’s the right thing to do. This is why we will be happy to keep you informed about the different labels you can find in our range. An extra word of explanation about the raw materials used, ecological materials and sustainable production is a bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
A lot! Old, worn out clothing and shoes, as well as old household textiles are welcome.
Feel free to bring them in:
• Clothing
• Clothing accessories
• Shoes (in pairs)
• Household textiles (towels, table linen, etc.)
• Blankets and sheets
• Handbags
• Belts
• Garments with tears, holes or permanent stains
Unfortunately, we cannot accept the following:
• Sleeping bags
• Tents
• Backpacks
• Ski boots or ice skates
• Rags or shredded fabrics
• Pillows
Certainly not: any old item of clothing or pair of shoes is welcome in our recycle box.
Yes. Garments that are no longer suitable for reuse can be recycled into new raw materials. The same goes for items made of 100% cotton, wool or polyester. And the rest can be used for materials supporting the construction or automotive sectors. What if the clothing is unsuitable for reuse due to hygienic, safety or health reasons? These items will undergo a strict waste management procedure.
They will go to a distribution centre, then to our partner, Wereld Missie Hulp, where they will be recycled and given a second life: your donation goes through a whole process. Find out more about the journey your belongings will go through.
This is not a one-off collection campaign, it is a permanent project. So there’s no need to rush, any donation will be welcome, any time.
A.S.Adventure has a facilitating role and takes its responsibility. For example, we make our stores available as collection points and we offer logistical support. We also collect the material in our distribution centre, after which Wereld Missie Hulp picks everything up. Finally, A.S.Adventure wants to know what’s happening, so we always keep a close eye on the material.
Absolutely not! This project is part of our sustainable mission to building a cleaner planet. The proceeds of all the textiles handed in go entirely to the Ugandan Rambia School, our selected project from Wereld Missie Hulp.
