Giving Humanitarian Tents a Second Life: Workshop Sparks Creative Reuse Ideas
23 JUNE 2025
Essential Shelter in Critical Times
In humanitarian operations, family tents play an essential role. These rapidly deployable shelters provide immediate protection and privacy to displaced families, often becoming the first safe space after crisis strikes. Whether in conflict zones, natural disasters, or refugee camps, tents are designed for quick assembly, durability, and function, making them one of the most valued non-food items in most emergency response.
Rethinking the End of the Lifecycle
While built for durability, tents eventually reach the end of their primary use. However, growing awareness around sustainability is prompting organisations to look beyond disposal. Many now include second life applications in their product specifications, encouraging manufacturers and field actors to consider what happens after the tent’s first function is fulfilled. The challenge lies in finding practical, safe, and impactful ways to repurpose the materials.
At Alpinter, we recently organised a hands-on internal workshop to explore second life applications for different types of family tents. Participants were challenged to think creatively and build prototypes based on leftover materials from three of our most used models: the RED Tent and BLUE Tent (both made of polyethylene), and the Family Tent FR (made of fire-retardant polycotton). The goal was twofold: inspire realistic ideas for field repurposing and create physical proof-of-concepts that show what’s possible.
Creative Outcomes: From Shelter to New Use
Team BLUE Tent – Carry Stretcher
Using the sturdy pole sleeves and lightweight poles of the BLUE Tent, the team designed a simple carry stretcher. The fabric base was repurposed from the tent’s PE walls, offering strength and weather resistance. This practical solution could assist in transporting injured individuals in remote or post-disaster zones.
Team RED Tent – Football Goal
Recognising the value of recreation and psychosocial support in camps, Team RED designed a football goal using the tent’s fiberglass poles for structure. The netting was innovatively made out of the large mosquito mesh windows. A light yet robust goal that encourages play and community building, especially for children.
Team Family Tent FR – Cooking Tripod & Cushion
From the fire-retardant polycotton tent, two ideas emerged. First, a cooking tripod made by binding the smaller steel side poles together — ideal for field kitchens or outdoor cooking setups. Second, the team created a cushion from the inner liner Trevira fabric, filled up with small leftover fabrics.
Sustainability Starts With Design
Workshops like these are part of Alpinter’s broader commitment to circular thinking and responsible product design. While humanitarian aid often demands speed and volume, we believe second life thinking can be both creative and practical — helping reduce waste and enhance the long-term value of humanitarian supplies.
CONTACT US
To inquire about our products, pricing, or stock availability, please reach out to our sales team at info@alpinter.com.