Alpkit is increasing its use of plastic-free packaging. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Outdoors brand Alpkit has released its third sustainability report, in a move to put it at the forefront of openness on its operations.

As outdoor companies come under increasing scrutiny over their environmental and social impacts, the 18-year-old brand released a swathe of figures which, it said, demonstrates its love of the outdoors and a belief in nature.

The company funded research that revealed the perhaps surprising fact that its customers use their jackets for an average of 11 years, and then most pass them on for further use.

Chief executive David Hanney said he believes Alpkit is the only outdoor brand on the planet to have produced an estimate of the full-life, whole-company carbon footprint.

The report says: “We define net zero as the total decarbonisation of our entire value chain. It’s only achievable by reduction in emissions, not offset – it is far more than burn now and offset later and means a minimum 95 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.” The company has set itself the target of being net zero by 2050.”

It says about 85 per cent of the embedded carbon in its outdoor gear is in its manufacture and delivery to the customer.

Chief executive David Hanney

Mr Hanney said: “We committed to science-based targets initiative in July and will halve our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2025.” These are direct energy and indirect energy use.

“This will happen by switching all fossil fuel use to renewables that use gas and petrol or diesel today. This means going electric for our heating and company cars and vans. These targets are independently assessed and we’re proud to say we are officially doing our bit to limit global warming to the 1.5C scenario.

“We will reduce our full value carbon emissions by at least 15 per cent each year. We will set more robust target each year and be net zero by 2050 at the absolute latest.”

Alpkit and its bike brand Sonder make 30 per cent of their products in the UK, with other manufacturing in China and Taiwan. Its managers plan to work more closely this year with its factories and mills on environmental action plans, with at least 50 per cent of energy use from renewables in its main factories.

Its clothing is 100 per cent PFC-free, and any cotton used is organic or Better Cotton Initiative-compliant. Use of recycled content in clothing increased from less than 12 per cent to 37 per cent.

Alpkit’s research found that almost nine out of 10 of its customers used its jackets for hiking and hillwalking, combined with just over a third also using them for general everyday use. On average, they wash the jacket on a 30C cycle and reproof it once a year. Outdoor enthusiasts are more concerned with durability than up-to-date fashion. The average user wears the jacket for seven years then keep it as ‘second-best’ use for four more years. They often pass it on to others via a charity shop or by selling on eBay, for instance.

The research was carried out by Matt Cripsey of Birkbeck, University of London.

The Nottinghamshire-based company was founded in 2004 and, as well as manufacturing gear, runs eight stores and its online retail site.

Repairs underway at its Hathersage site

It operates a repair and alterations service and last year its staff carried out 2,850 repairs. Through its Alpkit Foundation it has provided £450,000 to more than 1,500 community projects.

It employs the equivalent of 96 full-time workers, with an average age of 35. A quarter of its board are women, and just under half of Alpkit’s senior team are female. The company has gained B Corp certification for high standards of social and environmental impact.

Mr Hanney said: “We’re continuing to learn and share ideas about building better businesses and make better products.

“The buzz from seeing Alpkit customers out on the hill is so rewarding and I thank each and every customer for buying from us. I also have immense pride in our team – the spirit and soul throughout this year is inspirational.”