Spending time outside is what we stand for. We therefore consider it our duty to protect nature. One major challenge lies in the textile waste mountain that we all need to reduce. Global textile production continues to increase (it has almost doubled over the span of 20 years: from 58 million tonnes in 2000 to 109 million tonnes in 2020!), while the average lifespan of a garment is barely a year. Did you know that 5 million tonnes of clothing is thrown away every year in Europe alone? That’s a whopping 12 kilos per person!
This is why we are focussed on the circular economy; by giving old clothing and shoes a second life. The need for this is significant: research by OVAM shows that reuse is at a standstill in Flanders. The average Flemish person buys just 5.9 kg of reused goods per year from De Kringwinkel, while the Flemish government’s target is 8 kg per inhabitant by 2030.
Our approach? We seek to close the circle through recycling and upcycling. Old materials are no longer seen as waste, but become raw materials for new, quality products. This way, we not only help reduce waste, but also work towards a sustainable and tenable future where recycling becomes natural and even the norm.
“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 Lead at A.S.Adventure
Recycling at A.S.Adventure
Partnership with De Kringwinkel & Reloved
We cooperate with the De Kringwinkel for the collection of old textiles. They work closely with Reloved. Together, they ensure that usable clothing and shoes are collected, sorted, upcycled, or repaired so they can be resold. Depending on their quality, worn-out pieces can be recycled and processed into new raw materials in different ways.
What is De Kringwinkel?
De Kringwinkel is a network of 135 thrift shops across Flanders. Here, you’ll find affordable, original items such as clothing, furniture, home appliances, books, and toys. The shops have a dual mission: to contribute to the environment by encouraging recycling and to provide employment opportunities for people who have difficulty accessing the regular labour market. Some 55 million reusable goods are collected every year, saving 73,000 tonnes of CO2. By thrifting at De Kringwinkel, you’re helping to create a more sustainable future.
“With our textile box, we make sure your used items become tomorrow’s raw materials.”
How can you help?
It’s simple: bring your old clothes and shoes and place them into the textile 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
We collect, sort, upcycle, and/or repair goods for local reuse. With our textile box, we make sure your used items become tomorrow’s raw materials. De Kringwinkel & Reloved are supporting us in this project in the best possible way.
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.
Boost the social economy
De Kringwinkel & Reloved use their earnings to provide suitable jobs for more than 6,000 people who have few or no opportunities in the regular labour market.
How does circular collection work?
1. Donation
Drop your old clothes or shoes off at one of our textile boxes.
2. Collection
We will pick up the collected material and collect it in our distribution centre.
3. Sorting by De Kringwinkel
Our partner De Kringwinkel 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 repaired and sold by De Kringwinkel. Proceeds go to resale to pave a strong path in the circular economy.
5. Recycling
Your old things will be reused or recycled locally as much as possible. It’s great news if you want to reduce the waste mountain. De Kringwinkel & Reloved are supporting us in this
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)
What can you bring to us?
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 textile 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
Unfortunately, we cannot accept the following:
• Sleeping bags
• Backpacks
• Ski or snowboard boots and ice skates
• Pillows
• Rags or shredded fabrics
• Tents
What is Reloved?
Reloved is an initiative of Flemish Kringwinkels that gives unused products a second life. They help companies to operate more sustainably. Every year, Reloved rescues thousands of tonnes of items from landfills and employs 6,000 people with fewer opportunities. In doing so, they make an impact on the environment as well as society.
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
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 textile 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, De Kringwinkel, 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 De Kringwinkel & Reloved 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 resale to pave a strong path in the circular economy.
