We’re Launching In-Store Takeback with Finisterre

Get to know Finisterre

Founded in 2003 by Tom Kay, Finisterre started off with a bold mission to create sustainable cold water surf gear here in the UK.

From a little flat above a surf shop, the brand has grown enormously over the past two decades, and is adored by outdoor-lovers all over the world. Since day one, sustainability and quality have been a top priority, and that’s a commitment that never changes.

The brand uses low-impact materials, biodegradable packaging, local production methods, and of course, their takeback and recycling with us. Their innovative approaches to reducing environmental impact are second to none, they are always coming up with new creative ways to minimise their impact. You know that when you buy from Finisterre you’re buying something that’s going to last and last, even if it’s pre-loved.

We’ve worked with Finisterre since the very beginning of Reskinned, and our Marketing Manager Coco has a special connection with the brand, we’ll let her tell you about in our interview with her.

Finisterre customers are some of the best - if you’re one of them, we’re talking to you (bonus points if you buy yours pre-loved). Just like the brand, their customers are sustainability superstars, which is probably why we are forever selling out of our pre-loved Finisterre drops.

What is a Finisterre In-Store Takeback Scheme?

If you’re feeling a little bit clueless about what in-store takeback schemes actually entail, let us explain.

In-store takeback is when a brand lets you bring your old or unwanted clothes and stuff directly - you guessed it - in store. It’s a great way for brands to make recycling more accessible to everyone.

The goal is the same as our online takeback schemes - to reduce clothing waste, and extend the lifecycle of the stuff that’s ready to find a new home.

How it works:

1. You drop off your old or unwanted Finisterre clothes in one of their stores.
2. The clothes are processed in store, and you’ll receive your Finisterre voucher instantly to spend in-store or online.
3. The Finisterre team will send us your item, and we’ll decide the best route for it, either by finding a new home for it, or using one of our innovative recycling methods to transform the textiles into something new.

If you want to know more about how our normal postal takeback works, then you can find out all the ins and outs in this blog.

What can you donate?

If you’ve ever done one of our online takebacks for Finisterre, then you’ll already be familiar with what can and can’t be donated via the scheme. If not, then this part is for you:

You can donate any Finisterre branded items at all, and we’ll exchange them for a voucher of varying amounts. For insulated or waterproof jackets you’ll get £15, and for most other items it’s either £10 or £5. For each item you send you’ll get added discount, up to £55 redeemable against a £75 purchase.

There are a few items that don’t have a voucher value, like underwear and base layers, but these are still donatable, and we’ll recycle them for you.

Read the ins and outs of what we accept here.

What are the benefits of taking part in an in-store takeback scheme?

There are tons of reasons why takeback schemes are great for the planet, and the accessibility of in-store takeback schemes mean even more people can get involved.

Here’s a quick rundown of exactly why they’re great.

Takeback Schemes Reduce Waste

Participating in a takeback scheme like ours is a great way to reduce your own personal textile waste and carbon footprint.

We work with state-of-the-art recycling facilities to ensure that nothing goes to landfill, and your old clothes all go to exactly where they should. That means finding a new home if they’re still in wearable condition, or going to one of our recycling partners to be made into something new, and get a new lease of life that way.

When clothes are donated to charity, we lose a lot of visibility, meaning that sometimes they end up in landfill despite best efforts.

We take full responsibility for the things we receive, making sure nothing ever ends up in landfill from our takeback scheme.

Your Clothes Get a Second Chance at Life

You may not want to take your old Finisterre gear on another adventure, but that doesn’t mean it’s ready to stop adventuring.

Even if your clothes have imperfections like a broken zip, a hole or a stain, our in-house repair unit will spruce them up so they’re ready to get back out there.

We know that sometimes it feels good to upgrade your wardrobe, or your activities change and the clothes you want to wear do too. That’s why it’s so important to be conscious about how and what we clear out - just because we don’t wear it any more, doesn’t mean no one else will.

And this is even more true for Finisterre clothes, because they’re made with so much love and attention to detail, so we want to keep them in circularity for as long as we possibly can.

You’ll Be Taking Part in the Circular Fashion Economy

Becoming more circular is one of the best things we can do for the world, but it can often feel like it’s not that clear how to do it. This is the answer. The takeback scheme allows you to still shop for something new, and still switch out the old, but it stops you from creating any waste in the process.

By recycling the materials to finding clothes a new home, we’ll make sure that everything you send us is properly processed to be as circular as possible.

They are More Accessible for More People

The big reason that an in-store takeback is an exciting addition is that it means even more people can get involved in the scheme.

Our goal is to get as many people as possible involved in our takebacks, and that means spreading the word, and making it simple. Some people prefer to go into a shop and drop something off in person, and for others, sending off a parcel is better suited.

The more different options we can give you, the more of you who will actually send us things, and the bigger an impact we can have.

Side note - this is why we always encourage you to spread the word to friends and family about our takeback schemes too.

Returning Your Old Wetsuit

If you’ve been around since the early days of our takeback schemes, you’ll know that Finisterre used to offer a takeback service for wetsuits once you’ve finished with them. Things have changed a little bit, so here’s what you need to know.

What to Do With Your Old Wetsuit:

For Finisterre Branded Wetsuits

Finisterre branded wetsuits can still be donated through the scheme, and we’ll exchange them for a voucher for £5 to put towards something new.

We’ll recycle your wetsuit responsibly if it’s no longer surf-suitable, and if it’s still in good nick, we’ll find it a new home with someone who’ll love it just as much as you.

For Non-Finisterre Wetsuits

If it’s in good condition:

If your Finisterre wetsuit is still in good condition, or only needs very minor repairs, you can donate it to The Wave Project.

The Wave Project is an amazing organisation that helps kids in need overcome mental health issues through perhaps the best therapy of all - surfing. Kids that are referred will get a six week course of surf therapy, and can join their Surf Club to boost their confidence even more. The more access to wetsuits they have, the more children they can empower.

You can donate your old wetsuit to them by post, or drop it off at one of their local sites.

For donation instructions and to find drop-off locations, visit The Wave Project’s donation page.

If it’s in not so good condition:

If your wetsuit is damaged or at the end of its life, then first of all, well done, you must have caught a good few waves in your time!

If it isn’t from Finisterre, you can still put it to good use by sending it to Circular Flow, whatever condition it’s in.

They have collection points and return facilities here in the UK, and also in Belgium and Germany, and are plotting and planning to add more in the future.

Neoprene can be a tricky fabric to recycle, which is why Circular Flow made it their mission to find the best recycling routes for old wetsuits.

You can find more information and guidance on their website Circular Flow.

Do you want to get involved in the in-store takeback scheme?

You can find the list of Finisterre store locations here to work out where your nearest one is.

And if you have any questions about the scheme, feel free to reach out to us on instagram here - and why not give us a follow while you’re at it.