Innovative scheme to recycle old skis

Archiv – After much research, a company based in Albertville, France, has discovered a way of recycling used ski gear. France | After much research, a company based in Albertville, France, has discovered a way of recycling used ski gear.
Thousands of tonnes of used skis, snowboards, ski boots, poles, helmets and sledges are thrown away each year by ski rental shops across the French Alps. Traditionally, the items have been crushed along with other refuse destined for landfill. However, waste disposal company Tri-Vallees is aiming to change this approach.
In 2006, the company trialled a new system in the ski resort of La Plagne whereby it collected 15 tonnes of used ski gear and separated the metals from the rest of the materials. Skis were then crushed using seven consecutive crushers until a fine particle was produced which could be used as a combustible material in a cement-making factory in neighbouring Isere.
In 2007, a total of 40 tonnes of old ski gear was collected across 15 resorts. Tri-Vallees is continuing to expand is hoping to amass more than 200 tonnes of redundant ski gear this year across the Savoie and Haute Savoie regions of France after sealing a contract with SkiSet. Ski shops are charged Euro 2 for each item collected.