Interesting article on refurbished gear

That is so cool! I've been on a journey for a couple of decades of making my own (and my kids') clothing and trying where possible to recycle ready-made pieces. My family has always said I was born in the wrong century - but maybe I was actually before my time;-)

Great idea ..... as long as it doesn’t mean fewer second-hand-gear items being donated to those groups/companies who redistribute them to young people who otherwise would find it too difficult to access ‘the great outdoors’ and the healing, self-confidence, and joy that they might find there.
There are at least two outdoor gear companies, that I can think of, that already do this in the UK.
The young people who might benefit from this include those from inner cities, and/or on low/very low incomes, those seeking asylum, those with health problems (physical or mental) or with learning difficulties, young carers, those in care, those with difficult home lives ... and more ...

Patagonia have always been popular with the environmentally-aware .... haven’t they always had an earth-friendly approach?

I've bought several refurbished cameras and lenses and have never had a problem with any of them. The cost is just a few dollars more than buying used items "as-is", plus they come with a warranty of at least 30 days and sometimes longer. I'm glad to see the adventure clothing and equipment manufacturers get on the bandwagon. One of the reasons I don't mind paying a bit more for clothing and gear from REI here in the US is because of their very generous return policy -- I know if it doesn't fit, doesn't work properly, or I just decide I don't like it, I take it back and they give a full refund or free replacement with no questions asked (for one year). Most of their returned goods end up at one of their semi-annual or quarterly "garage sales" where it's sold as-is, but from what the article says, REI is now refurbishing at least some of those items, which is even better

Of course I presume the refurbishing process includes de-bedbugging .

If it's Patagonia, don't expect it to be inexpensive, even if used. And Rei does allow returns for any reason up to a year, but it hasn't been "no questions asked' in my experience. It's the Inquisition and then it's a guilt trip. But maybe that's just the store in my town.