Environmentally-friendly business practice is a topic that has affected every industry worldwide.
One of the questions I asked myself when I first heard about this topic is how does this affect me as a skier and consumer in the ski industry?
Skiers are a unique group whose enjoyment is inherently dependent on the natural environment. If anyone should care about minimizing human impact, skiers should be on the list.
Fortunately, ski manufacturers have taken to these ideas and are producing eco-friendly products. However, these practices do not yet encompass every part of each manufacturer’s production workflow.
This leaves it up to the skiers themselves to vote with their purchases and tell the industry where they want them to go next.
Photo: Fred Fokkelman
Pay attention to these five ways that ski manufacturers are greening up their business (or not) next time you are in the market for new skis:
1. Manufacturers are Buying Carbon Offsets
Ski manufacturers who are interested in going green have an immediate option in the form of purchasing Carbon Offsets.
A wide variety of third party companies offer this type service, which usually takes the form of creating new renewable energy sources that offset the amount of carbon emitted by the ski manufacturer throughout a specified period of time.
If you want to buy from a green ski manufacturer, this is the first sign that they are on their way.
2. Manufacturers are Researching, Developing and Implementing Renewable Materials
For reasons of strength and long-term durability, ski manufacturers have historically used petroleum-based and other synthetic-based materials.
Interestingly enough, new innovation in the area of bio-based materials has resulted in new compounds that are more eco-friendly and stronger than the non bio-based alternatives! Look on your favourite company’s website to see what materials they are using and what is being done to research alternatives to the current status quo.
Some materials that are currently in use include beans, oils from vegetable and pine sources, basalt, koa and/or FSC certified wood, linseed fiber, bamboo, cork and anything that is bio-based or recycled.
Research is very active in the labs of some manufacturers, so keep an eye out for new and exciting developments each season.
3. Manufacturers are Using Renewable Energy to Power their Production Line
With thousands of skis produced every year from manufacturers, a lot of energy is consumed.
Some factories are choosing to buy their energy from renewable sources such as wind, hydro and even bio-fuel.
You can support the renewable energy industry by buying from companies who buy this type of energy.
4. Manufacturers are Reducing the Use of Toxic Materials
Behind every pair of skis are the builders who work in the production line.
Toxic chemicals such as resin and glue emit fumes into the air when heated. When you buy from companies who are working towards reducing the use of such chemicals, you are supporting the individuals who make your skis and preventing these toxic chemicals from ending up in landfills.
5. Manufacturers are Reducing Waste
That new pair of skis you are buying probably left a pile of wasted materials back at the factory.
Eco-minded ski companies are finding new and innovative ways to recycle and re-use this waste.
Supporting a company who cares about where their waste goes means that you are preventing that waste from contributing towards filling up another landfill.
These are just a few of the ways that the ski industry is taking steps towards eco-friendly manufacturing. However, they can do more and they do pay attention to where consumers choose to spend their money.
Your next purchase is an important vote for the future of this industry.
About the Author: Jonny Ivers is a passionate skier/snowboarder and advocate for green business practices. In addition, he writes regularly for Tahoelifttickets.net about how to find Tahoe lift tickets cheap (including news about Alpine Meadows lift tickets specials and Sierra at Tahoe lift tickets promotions).
Comments
2 responses to “Ski Technology Has Come A Long Way”
Great post. I never realized how much waste and toxicity comes from ski manufacturing. Glad to know that’s changing.
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