What is The Lakes Mountaineer doing to be more environmentally friendly and ecologically sound?
Ropes, helmets, harnesses and slings contain plastic and cannot currently be made from recycled content due to safety considerations. We therefore buy products we believe to be more durable so they last longer. When they have reached the end of their life, they are donated to an 'upcycler' who uses various parts to make chalk bags, dog leads, bouldering mats etc.
Our home offices are well-insulated, heated by a wood-pellet boiler, and partly powered by photo-voltaic solar panels, making the electric car even more environmentally efficient. Our light bulbs are LEDs and our electricity supplier delivers 100% renewable energy. Pension funds have been switched to ethical and environmental funds.
All newly-bought clothing and kit is bought from specific manufacturers with the best environmental credentials. We look after our kit by cleaning, reproofing, resoling and repairing as much as possible, and then downgrading (that old waterproof will do today).
A few ideas we've taken on board to help become more sustainable are listed below. The more you can do to help, the better.