We're pleased to be teaming up with local social enterprise, Àban Outdoor, on a cardboard packaging re-use initiative.

Earlier this year, Àban Outdoor launched Scotland’s first outdoor gear charity shop through eBay.

The aim of the online shop is to get as many people outdoors as possible, by reducing the sometimes-high cost of entry, as well as reducing the environmental impact of purchasing new kit for the outdoors.

The eBay shop stocks gear that has been donated directly to Àban, as well as goods which have been recycled through the Continuum scheme at the newly-opened outdoor retailer Alpkit in the Ledge climbing wall. 

100% of the proceeds of the gear sales go straight back into running Àban’s own charitable work in Inverness. Their work includes outdoor activities for young people, holiday camps, Duke of Edinburgh Award activities, and hosting the iconic Kessock Swim event.

The eBay shop has been hugely popular with shoppers across the UK in a short space of time, with items such as hiking boots, wetsuits, jackets, and camping goods, all at bargain prices.

To manage the increased packaging required for shipping items, Àban’s Business Manager, Calum Smith, turned to us for assistance in donating used cardboard boxes and packaging.

Our Inverness marine megastore and online shop sees thousands of products coming and going through its doors each week and has its own cardboard recycling process in place.

Àban’s Business Manager, Calum Smith commented on the partnership:

“The growth and popularity of our eBay charity shop has been extraordinary, and it is all thanks to the generosity of the equipment donations we receive and through the welcome support of local businesses like Gael Force who are on our doorstep.

It’s a perfect example of positive collaboration, working together for a better environmental outcome, and helping get people outdoors for less.”

Gael Force's own Marketing Manager, Marc Wilson commented:

“We are delighted to be assisting our friends at Àban with this cardboard re-use scheme. All the cardboard boxes we receive through supplier deliveries are either recycled or re-used, so to be able to go a step further and know that these boxes will support a social enterprise in the local community is hugely rewarding.”

People wishing to donate outdoor gear that they no longer use can donate it to Àban in the Merkinch Welfare Hall, Grant Street, Merkinch. Information can be found via their website at https://aban.scot/