High street retailer to issue refunds for USED tents that are returned this summer – and it’s perfect for festivals

A HIGH street retailer will issue a refund for any used tent it sells over the summer, in a boost for campers and festival goers.

Decathlon has pledged to offer a full gift card refund for the return of every tent it sells to encourage people not to abandon them.

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Customers must purchase a tent online or in store between June 9 and September 14 to qualify.

Shoppers need to return it with proof of purchase before September 14, to receive the full purchase value back in the form of a Decathlon gift card.

The retailer said this is regardless of how much they used the camping tool.

Customers must also be a Decathlon member at the time of purchase, which is free to sign up for.

The scheme started in 2023, but this year has been upgraded to include every Decathlon brand tent across both its Quechua and Simond ranges.

A Quechua four man tent can cost £199 at the retailer.

Tonnes of waste and tents are abandoned at festivals every year, which can put huge strain on the environment and those required to clean up the mess.

A typical single-use tent contains as much plastic as 9,000 straws or 200 bottles.

Decathlon UK sustainability leader Chris Allen said: “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.

“This is about driving systemic change and changing camping culture for the better.”

Broadcaster Vick Hope, who is supporting this year’s campaign, added: “Whether you’re dancing at Glasto, on a hilltop, or roasting marshmallows with family, your tent deserves more than one weekend of glory.

“Decathlon’s pledge is brilliant because it simplifies doing the right thing.”

End-of-life tents from previous seasons have been repurposed and transformed into oversized flags bearing the message “I’m not leaving my tent behind, you shouldn’t either”.

If you want to receive a voucher for returning a tent you will need to sign up for Decathlon's membership scheme.

This is free to do and can be done online.

Customers earn points when they spend in store, which can be then used as money off vouchers.

Shoppers also get personalised offers which are tailored to their interests.

You can find out more by visiting, membership.decathlon.com/en-GB/.