Are skis and board and boots recycleable?

[billski]

Or is it more trouble than it's worth? I'll bet they could recycle boot shells, since it's generally one monolithic material. Or is that asking too much?

 

[thinnmann]

Or is it more trouble than it's worth? I'll bet they could recycle boot shells, since it's generally one monolithic material. Or is that asking too much?

You can make chairs out of old skis. There are even companies that will do it for you.
http://www.snowsource.com/generalstore_skifurniture.htm

You can make table centerpieces out of old boots by spray painting them and putting plastic flowers in them.

 

[billski]

You can make chairs out of old skis. There are even companies that will do it for you.
http://www.snowsource.com/generalstore_skifurniture.htm

You can make table centerpieces out of old boots by spray painting them and putting plastic flowers in them.

I'm not thinking about re-use. I mean real recycling where the material is reconstituted.

 

[riverc0il]

There was a recent Colouir or Backcountry issue that described green issues in the gear world. Apparently, because so many different components are mixed together, it is too much trouble and cost to effectively recycle them which is a known issue. Best thing to do is to reuse them by selling or giving them to another skier.

 

[jaywbigred]

Has anyone ever built their own ski chair?

$400 seems like a lot to pay...

 

[Marc]

There was a recent Colouir or Backcountry issue that described green issues in the gear world. Apparently, because so many different components are mixed together, it is too much trouble and cost to effectively recycle them which is a known issue. Best thing to do is to reuse them by selling or giving them to another skier.

Skis, definitely not... boot shells could probably be recycled without too much trouble. They're generally just molded ABS plastic with aluminum buckles and fasteners. Still, ABS plastic is so cheap new, essentially any labor to get the aluminum off the shell would probably not end up being worth it.

 

[billski]

Skis, definitely not... boot shells could probably be recycled without too much trouble. They're generally just molded ABS plastic with aluminum buckles and fasteners. Still, ABS plastic is so cheap new, essentially any labor to get the aluminum off the shell would probably not end up being worth it.

that's a shame. it ends up in smoke or in a landfill.
how many flower pots does one actually need?

So we sink ships to make artificial reefs for fish.
Can we not scatter boot shells in the forest to make homes for orphaned chipmunks and squirrels? :razz:

 

[Marc]

that's a shame. it ends up in smoke or in a landfill.
how many flower pots does one actually need?

So we sink ships to make artificial reefs for fish.
Can we not scatter boot shells in the forest to make homes for orphaned chipmunks and squirrels? :razz:

Lol... I'm willing to bet boot shells represent an almost unnoticeable percentage of the total amount of ABS plastic used and scrapped. That stuff is everywhere man. Car bumpers, wheel covers, toys, pipes, musical instruments... hell, what do you think your helmet shell is made from?

 

[Glenn]

Has anyone ever built their own ski chair?

$400 seems like a lot to pay...

This site has plans...but you have to pay for them: http://www.skichair.com/

I'm certainly no Norm Abram...but I'd imagine it would be fairly straight forward. You could probably find some plans for an adirondak chair online...and just modify those. Or...pick up a second hand adirondak chair and replace all the wood slats with skis.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

SIA...snowsports industries of america, has a pilot program in place with some CO ski shops to take in old skis and grind them up to be used as fuel, boots are being recycled and used for any number of plastic items...its expensive, but the industry group here in the US is trying to do something. The manufacturers themselves have been pretty responsible on their own...owed mainly to their european ethics...they recycle as much water from their processes as possible, scrap materials are recycled or used to heat their offices and production facilities...building skis is not a very green process, but the industry is sensitive to its impact and doing as much as possible...sustainable forrest management has been in place long before it became a topic. etc.

 

[billski]

SIA...snowsports industries of america, has a pilot program in place with some CO ski shops to take in old skis and grind them up to be used as fuel, boots are being recycled and used for any number of plastic items...its expensive, but the industry group here in the US is trying to do something. The manufacturers themselves have been pretty responsible on their own...owed mainly to their european ethics...they recycle as much water from their processes as possible, scrap materials are recycled or used to heat their offices and production facilities...building skis is not a very green process, but the industry is sensitive to its impact and doing as much as possible...sustainable forrest management has been in place long before it became a topic. etc.

Thanks for the info. sustainable forest management has an advantage - a profit motive, to effectively manage a limited resource for current and future process. Recycling ski equipment seems to be 100% expense and no return, no surprise it's only being done for the PR of it.

I can't fault them, all of us continue to litter the environment with our trash and consume far more than we need. If we could reduce what we are consuming, perhaps the average temperature at the arctic wouldn't continue to rise... that chart is freaking scary.

 

[Marc]

"Need" is such a subjective word.

 

[billski]

"Need" is such a subjective word.

Not really. What are the base level requirements for life?

 

[Marc]

Not really. What are the base level requirements for life?

You don't need life. Stop being so selfish.

 

[billski]

You don't need life. Stop being so selfish.

 

[Starter Jackets Rule!]

Or is it more trouble than it's worth? I'll bet they could recycle boot shells, since it's generally one monolithic material. Or is that asking too much?

Drill holes in the bottom fill with dirt and plant flowers give to chick trust me you will "Get Some"!
The more boots you have the more "Some" you will "Get"
am I cool or what?
Thank me very much.

 

[RootDKJ]

Thank me very much.

I thank myself at work all the time. I send myself an email, and "talk" about what I good job I did on a project. I always copy my boss when I do this. It drives him nuts.