Decathlon is offering a new incentive to consumers in an effort to cut down the number of tents lost to waste in UK fields following this summer’s festival season.
In an expansion of a scheme run in previous years, the sports and outdoor goods retailer is running its ‘Summer Tent Pledge’ for 2025 until 14 September, and every Quechua or Simond Decathlon-branded tent purchased can be returned to store after use in exchange for a gift card representing the full value of the product.
Consumers who want to receive the full value back must be Decathlon loyalty scheme members, in what is another example of how the retailer is combining sustainability and loyalty. Over the Easter weekend earlier this year, the business announced its members would receive a larger percentage buyback value on goods resold to stores compared to non-members.
The pledge is a nationwide event, and the retailer said it should encourage the curious to invest in a tent designed for a great camping experience, safe in the knowledge they can return it at the end of the season if their needs change. It also comes at a time of year when images of abandoned tents at festival sites are regularly shared online, showing the significant level of waste associated with these events.
Chris Allen, sustainability leader at Decathlon UK, commented: “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. By making it easy and rewarding to bring tents back, we’re not only reducing waste across all camping activities, but also creating a vital supply chain for our Second Life programme, making quality outdoor gear accessible to even more people.”
He added: “This is about driving systemic change and changing camping culture for the better.”
Broadcaster, author, and regular festivalgoer Vick Hope is supporting this year’s campaign, which covers any Decathlon brand tent bought online or in store between 9 June and 14 September 2025.
“Whether you’re dancing at Glasto, on a hilltop, or roasting marshmallows with family, your tent deserves more than one weekend of glory,” she explained.
“Decathlon’s Pledge is brilliant because it simplifies doing the right thing!”
Decathlon said it is also partnering with circular designer Jo.studio, to turn end-of-life tents from previous seasons into oversized flags bearing the message “I’m not leaving my tent behind, you shouldn’t either”. The idea is for Decathlon representatives to take these flags to events in an effort to encourage responsible behaviour.
[image credit: Daniel Lewis for Decathlon UK]
1 thought on “‘Changing the culture’: Decathlon expands customer reward for returning unwanted tents”
Dear Decathlon. Excellent idea. I have a 6man, 5yr old, Vango Ventenas, tent. Long story short, it’s been wind damaged, two tears across the bottom of the front panel, but repairable.
Last year, 3 beam sleeves were repaired by Vango and are now OK.
I have been searching where i could send it to be repurposed, as its too good to send to landfill. But its been surprisingly difficult to find any kind on rrepurposing for large tents. Small, ex festival tents no problem.
We didn’t buy it from Decathlon, but could you possibly make use of it and repurpose it, may be a family could make use of it after the repair.
Look foreward to hearing from you
Regards
Deborah and Tim Ridge