The RYA has joined the Sustainable Sports Apparel Charter, launched by 5Thread on International Day of Zero Waste (Monday 30 March 2026).

Designed to tackle structural overproduction, underuse and disposal of sports apparel in the UK, the Charter was co-created by a working group including the RYA, British Triathlon, British Gymnastics and ParalympicsGB.

Along with the RYA, public signatories already include British Triathlon, ParalympicsGB and British Mountaineering Council, with further organisations expected to join later this year.

While the global textile industry accounts for up to 10% of global emissions and generates around 92 million tonnes of waste annually, sports apparel operates under additional performance, sponsorship and branding pressures. In 2024, eight UK high-performance sports organisations procured more than 88,000 items of apparel, with contingency ordering reaching up to 30% in some programmes.

Kate Fortnam, RYA Sustainability Manager said: “We’re proud to strengthen our commitment to reducing clothing waste by joining the Sustainable Sports Apparel Charter. It has also been a privilege to collaborate with colleagues from other leading sporting organisations and NGBs and we recognise that there is still much more to learn. We look forward to continuing this journey and to sharing our insights with the wider boating community”.

Structured around seven focus areas and 15 practical commitments, it supports organisations to reduce waste, extend the life of products, embed sustainability into tenders, share learnings and collaborate across all levels of sport. The Charter is designed to be delivered within two years, largely through low- or no-cost operational changes supported by verification and structured review.

Joanna Czutkowna CEO of 5THREAD said: “This Charter provides the structure and support needed to move from intention to implementation, helping organisations make a real and lasting difference.”

Beyond environmental impact, the Charter also addresses cost barriers to participation. Research shows that 87% of families experience financial pressure linked to sports apparel, while surplus kit can remain unused within sports organisations. By prioritizing reuse, usable apparel can reach communities rather than storage or landfill, reducing financial barriers to participation.

Discover more about the Sustainable Sports Apparel Charter.

Find more information on the RYA’s sustainability work through Protect Our Playground.