Making outdoor equipment more sustainable

Originally published in the Carleton University newsroom. Written by Dan Rubenstein.

Student’s company helps people make and fix their own gear

Whether you’re a cyclist, hiker, paddler or skier, or some combination thereof, if you love being active outside you probably rely on — and have a close relationship with — your gear. 

But when that cherished backpack, panier or jacket breaks, repairs can be complicated or expensive, so the next trip is usually to chain retailer to buy a replacement — a purchase that have can have a big environmental footprint due to both the manufacturing process and plastics in the product. 

Carleton University commerce student Colin Bottomley wants to change this equation. In January 2022, he launched ReFasten, which imports and distributes sustainably sourced products such as waterproof zippers and technical fabrics to small shops and individual customers for either making or fixing gear. 

Now, with support from Carleton’s Innovation Hub, the 23-year-old entrepreneur is hoping to not only expand the business but also begin collaborating with university researchers to help develop more environmentally friendly materials for the outdoor sector.