British Triathlon says that it is committed to "responsible consumption". 

So why does British Triathlon require GB age-group athletes to buy new tri suits even if they own perfectly good ones already?

Please sign this petition and ask British Triathlon to allow athletes to use their existing, perfectly good GB tri suits – and to make its approach to team kit consistent with its own sustainability strategy.

The problem
Many age-group athletes have existing tri suits that are perfectly suitable for competition, complete with their name and GBR branding.

However, British Triathlon changes its supplier every few years and forces athletes to buy new, approved kit.

Athletes are specifically told that their old tri suits from previous suppliers cannot be worn when representing Great Britain - they have to have purchased a new tri suit from the approved supplier. 

The contradiction
Yet British Triathlon says in its Endurance 2040+ sustainability strategy that its goal is to "reduce material use" and implement sustainable procurement practices for athletes and members.

This creates an obvious contradiction.

British Triathlon is in fact increasing material use through their policies, increasing the financial burden on age group athletes who are representing their country, as well as increasing the carbon footprint associated with representing Great Britain.

Indeed, the BTF strategy talks about “underutilised kit” being donated for redistribution. Yet this policy risks creating more underutilised kit in the first place.

What we are asking for
We are asking British Triathlon to apply its own sustainability principles consistently.

1. If an existing GB tri suit is in good condition, complies with the relevant competition regulations and clearly identifies the athlete as representing Great Britain, athletes should be allowed to continue wearing it.
   
   
2. New kit can still be offered and sold to athletes who want it.
   
   
3. There should be no requirement to replace perfectly serviceable kit simply because a new supplier has been introduced.

A clear policy for team kit as above would be consistent with the commitments made in Endurance 2040+.

If British Triathlon believes in responsible consumption, let's see it put that principle into practice.

Please sign this petition and ask British Triathlon to allow athletes to use their existing, perfectly good GB tri suits – and to make its approach to team kit consistent with its own sustainability strategy.

Good sustainability policy shouldn't just be something written in a strategy document. It should influence real-world decisions.