In reply to UKC Articles:
A good article and something which should be of concern to us all - including the gear mfr supply chain. I feel a definite pressure not to turnover old goods too quickly - and never because 'just there's something new' - knowing that this increases my planetary footprint - so having valid uses for retured items is v improtant.
At present however a fair number of ropes have been retired. Old harnesses are kept for learners on the slack end, as are helmets and chalkbags. Older heavier krabs are used for tree-surgery as are slings. And I'm still using Superatz & Canyon rockboots - resoled many times.