In a northeast Calgary industrial park, nestled among storefronts selling flooring and grills, is the Gear Re-Store.

Inside are boxes of surplus zippers in every colour of the rainbow, industrial washers and dryers and a team of technicians skillfully stuffing puffer jackets with down filling and repairing rips and tears.

Each year, the store repairs about 10,000 jackets, sweaters and pairs of snowpants, said owner Russell McPherson. 

"I don't like waste," said McPherson, whose shop specializes in…