Decathlon, the popular outdoor and sporting goods retailer, is taking a bold step to combat the growing environmental issue of abandoned tents. Through its expanded “No Tent Left Behind” initiative, the company is offering a full gift card refund for every tent returned this summer, aiming to encourage more sustainable camping habits.
The scheme applies to all Decathlon brand tents, including those from its Quechua and Simond lines. Customers who purchase a qualifying tent either in-store or online between 9 June and 14 September can return it by 14 September with proof of purchase to receive a full-value Decathlon gift card.
To take advantage of the offer, customers must be Decathlon members at the time of returning the tent. This move marks a significant step in the company’s sustainability efforts, reinforcing its goal to promote responsible camping and reduce single-use waste.
A major motivation behind the initiative is the staggering environmental impact of discarded tents. Decathlon pointed out that a single-use tent contains as much plastic as 9,000 straws or 200 plastic bottles. The “No Tent Left Behind” campaign aims to mitigate this by rewarding consumers who make conscious choices.
This year’s pledge expands beyond previous campaigns, which were limited to specific tent models, to now cover the full range of Decathlon tents. The company hopes this broader inclusion will allow more people to make eco-friendly decisions without feeling limited by product restrictions.
In addition to environmental benefits, the campaign offers peace of mind to new and casual campers. Knowing they can return the tent if their circumstances change lowers the barrier for those curious about camping, making it easier to explore the outdoors without a long-term commitment.
Chris Allen, Sustainability Leader for Decathlon UK, emphasized the campaign’s deeper mission. “The evolution of the No Tent Left Behind promise reflects our deep commitment to circularity and listening to our customers. What started with one tent has grown into a commitment across our entire range, driven by the public’s desire to make more responsible choices,” he said.
He added that by incentivizing tent returns, the campaign not only tackles the issue of waste but also feeds into the company’s Second Life programme, which refurbishes and resells gear, making quality outdoor equipment more accessible.
Media personality Vick Hope, who is supporting the campaign, praised the initiative’s simplicity and impact. “Whether you’re dancing at Glasto, on a hilltop, or roasting marshmallows with family, your tent deserves more than one weekend of glory. Decathlon’s pledge is brilliant because it simplifies doing the right thing,” she said.
To spread the message further, Decathlon has transformed end-of-life tents from past seasons into oversized flags bearing the statement, “I’m not leaving my tent behind, you shouldn’t either.” These will be displayed at festivals and campsites throughout the summer as a reminder to campers.
Through this expanded effort, Decathlon aims not only to reduce landfill waste but also to reshape camping culture by making sustainability more practical and rewarding.
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