In an exciting development, the UIAA Mountain Protection Award (MPA), one of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA)’s most important initiatives and a cornerstone of its work in the field of sustainability, returns for its 11th edition this year. Throughout 2024, the UIAA and the Mountain Protection Commission worked on plans to restructure the Award. One of the decisions was to organize the Award on a biennial rather than an annual basis. Full details about the 2025 Award, including how to register, who can apply and the prizes on offer, will be communicated ahead of registration officially opening on 1 March.
The last edition of the MPA, held in 2023, was won by the Gear Tips Recycling project from Brazil. Gear Tips was rewarded for creating a system to properly collect and recycle gas cartridges, in an effort to promote sustainable waste management and disposal.
Ahead of the opening of the 2025 Award, and as part of its commitment to supporting all showcased projects throughout their lifecycle, the UIAA caught up with Gear Tips founder Pedro Lacaz Amaral to discuss the project’s progress over the past 18 months.
“Winning the UIAA Mountain Protection Award significantly boosted visibility for Gear Tips both nationally and internationally,” explains Lacaz Amaral. “In Brazil, projects often struggle to gain local recognition unless they first achieve international acknowledgment. Following the award, the initiative saw increased recognition, especially within the outdoor industry, including climbing and mountaineering clubs and regional mountaineering federations. This newfound recognition also changed the perception of Brazilian companies, which had been partially investing but now value the project more. While investment did not increase, the award strengthened corporate understanding of the initiative’s importance. Additionally, the recognition attracted media interest beyond the outdoor industry, expanding awareness of gas canister recycling.”
In addition to the international recognition, the financial prize from the award proved crucial, enabling the production of additional recycling collectors and expanding collection points across Brazil and into Argentina. Furthermore, the award lent credibility to Gear Tips, opening doors for discussions with federations and other organizations. While securing sponsorships remains a challenge, the recognition has laid a solid foundation for future expansion.
The Gear Tips project was showcased by the UIAA in two further initiatives in 2024. Firstly, it formed part of an episode of the UIAA podcast Mountain Voices dedicated to climate change. Then Gear Tips were present at the UIAA’s inaugural International Mountain Sports Training Course held in Bariloche, Argentina.
“Participation in Bariloche was another milestone for Gear Tips, marking its first international expansion,” continues Lacaz Amaral. “Two recycling collectors were successfully installed in Ansilta stores, a key outdoor retailer in Argentina. This event not only helped expand operations but also fostered future partnerships. However, for long-term success, local institutional support, particularly from the Argentine mountaineering federation, is essential. While financial backing is necessary, institutional collaboration is seen as the key to broader implementation and sustained growth.”
Attending the Bariloche event also provided valuable learning and networking opportunities. Gear Tips team members Bruno Negreiros and Maria Fernanda May participated in educational courses, enhancing their technical knowledge. The event’s affiliation with the UIAA further validated Gear Tips’ credibility within the outdoor industry and reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability.
In Numbers: Gear Tips in 2025
Currently, 43 recycling collectors are in operation – 41 in Brazil and two in Argentina. Production of ten additional collectors is underway, with an exciting new placement in a Decathlon store. Plans are in motion to expand this initiative to all Decathlon stores in Brazil (approximately 40 locations).
Despite these successes, funding remains the primary challenge. Presently, sponsors include Deuter and NTK, but further contributions are needed. Gear Tips continues to invest heavily in maintaining the project while seeking additional sponsors.
In addition to its recycling efforts, Gear Tips launched a new initiative in 2024 – the Empowerment Program (Programa CAPACITAR) – to provide technical outdoor skills training. The program offers courses in:
- Leave No Trace – Level 1 Instructor Course
- Orienteering (Map, Compass, and GPS Navigation)
- Wilderness First Aid
Designed for outdoor professionals, guides, and park rangers, the program is subsidized. For guides and instructors, participants pay less than 30% of actual costs, while for national and state parks, Gear Tips fully covers expenses.
In 2024, the initiative trained 100 participants, with a goal of 500 for 2025. Training has already begun, with 36 rangers from Tijuca National Park and plans to train all Serra dos Órgãos National Park rangers in February. Further information about the initiative is available here.
While Gear Tips continues to drive both recycling and educational initiatives forward, securing long-term sponsorships is crucial for sustainable growth.
