For plenty of people camping at summer festivals, the simple act of packing up their tent and leaving their pitch free from rubbish is second nature when it's time to go home. But unfortunately there are some who don't share the same outlook.
According to The Association of Independent Festivals, each year an estimated 250,000 tents are left behind following events across the UK, with most going to landfill. And now a retailer is offering refunds to stop more being abandoned in 2023.
Decathlon is allowing customers to return its most popular festival tent - the Quechua MH100 Two Person Tent - after it has been used. As a reward for not leaving the £29.99 tent behind, Decathlon is guaranteeing a full refund in the form of a gift card.
The chain is calling its campaign No Tent Left Behind. Quechua MH100 tents must have been bought between January 1 and June 21, 2023 to be eligible.
Customers must produce the receipt or any other proof of purchase, and gift cards will be applied directly to buyers' Decathlon accounts. In addition, the tent must not be damaged - if it is for example torn or burnt, Decathlon will not accept the return.
The tent must also include all the original parts - so if a sheet or tent pegs are missing, the return will not be accepted. The offer will run in stores until July 21, 2023.
No Tent Left Behind is being backed by broadcaster Lauren Laverne, one of the BBC's Glastonbury hosts. “It’s time for us to party responsibly at all festivals this year and show some love to the planet,” she said.
Chris Allen, sustainability leader at Decathlon UK, said: “Festival season is one of the busiest periods in our stores because of our wide camping offering.
“We know single-use tents are an environmental problem, and aim to reduce the amount left behind with our No Tent Left Behind campaign. We’re deeply committed to reducing our environmental impact, and will give a full refund in the form of a gift card on this tent to demonstrate our commitment to encouraging people to bring their tent home.”
