It took awhile, but Ski and snowboard manufacturers have finally begun to see the irony of relying on optimal winter conditions, while doing everything to contribute to its destruction.
This EUREKA moment has inspired some companies to make sustainability a priority. These innovative businesses develop solar-powered factories, research sustainable materials, participate in carbon offset plans initiate rainforest preservation programs.
The Board Making Process
A synthesis of wood, foam, fiberglass, plastic, steel, aluminum and carbon fiber comprises almost every ski and snowboard. The finished product is a sandwich of these materials. To keep this “sandwich” from falling apart, manufacturers chemically bond the skis and snowboard with an epoxy resin, which is – unfortunately – impossible to separate or recycle. Once the skis are no longer functional, their disposal clutters up the landfills.
Addressing the Problem
A number of environmentally conscious ski and snowboard manufacturers have addressed at least part of the issue by using sustainability grown and harvested wood for their ski and snowboard cores. Here are a few examples:
- Grown: Grown skis use reinforcing fibers from volcanic basalt. This process eliminates the more common, and environmentally damaging use of glass and carbon fibers. They are in the process of testing resins based on plant starch.
- Kingswood: As the world’s first carbon-neutral ski manufacturer, this New Zealand-based company pioneered the use of bamboo for their ski and snowboard cores. They are also investigating a flax alternative to fiberglass. Since Kingswood fully understands that using bamboo from China and plastics and steel from Europe increases their transportation footprint, the company schedules all imported materials for a single annual delivery.
- Venture: This snowboard manufacturer is researching vegetable-based alternatives for the petroleum-based plastics and resins. During the manufacturing process, they recycle the wood scraps into signs or birdhouses. The sawdust gets a second incarnation as horse bedding or compost.
- Movement: Movement only uses Forest Stewardship Council or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification certified wood for their cores. They avoid the use of any toxic chemical when building the core.
Recycling Programs
Specialty Sports Venture, a retail subsidiary of Vail Resorts, is the first ski and snowboard retailer in the United States to provide skiers and snowboarders with a free program for recycling their old skis, snowboards, bindings, boots and poles. The program represents a collaboration with SnowSports Industries America’s “Keep Winter Cool: Snow Sports Recycling Solution” campaign.
The company delivers used ski and snowboard gear to a facility south of Denver. After undergoing a shredding process the material are transformed into a vast array of household products, including composite decking, flooring and furniture.