Sustainability in the Equestrian Industry
Sep 17th 2021
The environment and climate is a hot topic for most people – and rightly so. This is why here at Country & Stable we think it is important to look at sustainability in the equestrian industry.
Fast fashion is one of the largest producers of carbon emissions world wide. Everyday, tons of materials are burned along with microfibres and plastics being dumped into the oceans. This is so the clothing industry can keep up with the ongoing demand for new items. The clothing industry alone is estimated to make up 10% of all carbon emissions globally. This exceeds that of international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Putting the Environment First
Although you may not think equestrian fashion would be a huge factor to environmental decline, you would be mistaken. In the UK, the equestrian industry contributes over £4.7 billion to the economy each year, a large percentage of which is spent on equestrian gear and equipment. Here at Country & Stable we would like to help you become more of a sustainable rider.
What can we do to reduce our Carbon Footprint?
There are 3 major things that can be done to help relieve the environmental damage from this industry:
REDUCE: To reduce the demand for supply, we first have to reduce the amount of products we purchase. For example by investing in top quality products, such as the Horseware Rambo turnout rugs, you are likely to get more longevity from the equipment. These have a 3-year guarantee and have been known to surpass their life-span by several years. Proper cleaning and re-proofing your current rugs can also help reduce the need to purchase new.
REUSE: You can reuse items very easily by buying second hand as opposed to buying new. Instead of throwing away any unwanted clothing, rugs or equipment, why not sell them or donate them to charity? This will reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.
RECYCLE: There are many fashion retailers that now offer to take your unwanted garments to be recycled, or you can search online for the nearest textile recycling. This way your clothes can be recycled to make new materials as opposed to them going to landfill.
What are we doing to reduce our Carbon Footprint?
Many equestrian brands are trying to make a conscious effort to reduce the impact on the environment. As a company we feel it is important to look at what we can do to help. It may not be ground breaking but it is a start.
All stock we purchase is shipped to us from our distributors, this all comes within it’s own protective packaging. As a result to help reduce waste, we will reuse as much of this packaging as possible. This will be done by using the suitably sized boxes sent to us for shipping our orders. Along with re-purposing paper, bubble wrap and packing peanuts to pad and protect items in transit.
Many of our products are fabric based, it is important these are protected from the elements in the shipment process. To ensure orders arrive in perfect condition after leaving the warehouse, these are packed within white bags. But wherever possible a cardboard box is used, which is easily recycled.
Did you know???
The white bags we use can actually be recycled! These are all made from polypropylene (check out the logo below which represents this material). Even if this logo is not visible on the bag this still applies. Check your local authority to ensure this is recycled in your area or find a local recycling point.
Polypropylene
What more is being done?
Currently we use plastic tape, however, in an effort to reduce our plastic usage we are going to make a switch to a paper tape. This will be done when the current stock runs out.
Within the office we ensure all computers are fully closed down at the end of the day. Along with reducing the printing of excess paperwork and making a conscious effort to recycle throughout the building.
Within the office there are various plants which all help purify the air and help bring wellbeing to the staff.
Since the pandemic we have had to adapt as a business. Staff members now have the option to work from home, therefore this brings a reduction of travel.
What are Equestrian brands doing to help Sustainability in the Equestrian Industry and reduce their Carbon Footprint?
On the positive side, more brands are looking into eco ranges that are of a more sustainable nature. With this change some brands have also started looking at the packaging. For example, Toggi now send their clothes in compostable bags. Flex-On and Charles Owen have redesigned boxes to be plastic free and Gatehouse come directly in a padded hat bag!
Rug brands such as Horseware Ireland, WeatherBeeta, Bucas and Shires rugs come in reusable bags. These can be used to store/transport other items or rugs when not in use.
Find out more on the links below to find out what some of our brands are doing:
As a result several equestrian brands have been focusing on the design of the materials used to make their clothing. Likewise, they are also working to create products from recycled materials. Here are some of our favourite sustainable equestrian products:
Eco-friendly Riding and Equestrian Apparel
Coldstream Ladies Allanton Show Jacket
Made from an eco-friendly innovative textile, this show jacket is crafted from recycled plastic bottles. Each show jacket saves plastic bottles from going into landfill or the ocean and uses a considerable amount less energy to manufacture than a traditional garment.
Part of Roeckl’s innovative ECO.SERIES these have been manufactured in the most resource-friendly way possible by using materials with a particularly high recycled content. An example is the elastic and light-as-air Micro Mesh Eco on the backhand, which guarantees excellent breathability and freedom of movement. Another is the tactile and pleasantly soft ECO.SENSE® synthetic material on the palm for great flexibility and sensitivity on the reins.
Ariat Ladies Moresby H2O Boots
This classic country-style women’s boot is not only pack full of advanced technical features but boasts a modern earth friendly twist. These boots contain 50% or more material by weight that are sustainably sourced and offers a recycled rubber sole.
Sustainable Horse Blankets
WeatherBeeta Green Tec 900D Detach A Neck Medium Turnout
The WeatherBeeta Green Tec 1200D Detach-A-Neck Lite Plus Turnout still features all the superb quality of a WeatherBeeta rug. However, with an environmentally friendly twist. The ECO friendly outer and lining are manufactured from approx. 360 plastic bottles. Which have then been converted back in to Polyester fibre. Robust in its design, this turnout rug uses far less energy and a PU waterproof coating is created using recycled camera lenses to further reduce the environmental impact.
Horseware Amigo AmEco Bravo 12 Plus Turnout 100g
Innovating for a green future Horseware are proud to bring you the AmEco Bravo 12 Plus Turnout 100g. The first turnout made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. The rPET material is an engineering breakthrough. The strength and durability of the blanket are just as good as polyester. All parts of the rug are made from this rPET material. This includes the 1200D outer, inner lining, fiberfill, webbing and binding. Roughly 218 recycled plastic bottles are used to create a standard 6’3 rug.
