OLD SKIS, SNOWBOARDS, BOOTS AND POLES CAN NOW BE RECYCLED

November 20th, 2008 at 06:41pm Post Staff 43

SOURCE: Aspen Sports

Aspen Sports offering program to keep old gear out of landfills

Aspen, Colo. , Nov. 18, 2008—Aspen Sports has teamed up with SnowSports Industries America (SIA) to offer Aspen residents with a place to recycle their old ski and snowboard gear for free for three days only—Nov. 28-30 from 9 am to 6 pm. at the Aspen Sports shop on Cooper Street . This offer is for residential recycling only. There is no charge for dropping off old gear but Aspen Sports will be adding $2 to the purchase of every pair of skis, boots, and snowboards to help offset the costs of recycling. However, buyers who don’t wish to support the new recycling effort can opt out of the charge.

Aspen Sports is taking a leading role in the ski recycling effort and is the third mountain ski shop in the United States to provide consumers with this unique recycling opportunity. The joint effort is part of SIA’s ongoing program called Keep Winter Cool: Snow Sports Recycling Solution. The decision to tackle the ski gear recycling issue was made because the participating partners recognized that there wasn’t an environmentally friendly method for discarding old equipment anywhere in Colorado or the U.S.

Equipment in good condition will be donated to charitable domestic programs. Equipment not suitable for charitable ski programs will be transported to a facility south of Denver where it will be shredded and used in a variety of new products including composite decking, flooring, and furniture.

For the many Aspen households hanging onto outdated equipment, the Snow Sports Recycling Solution is a convenient and charitable way to make room for new gear without adding to landfills.

“Aspen’s skiers and snowboarders have an exceptional reputation for caring about the environment and taking positive action to do what they can to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Mitch Osure, regional manager for Aspen. “This three-day program during Aspen ’s famous World Cup competition will make it very easy for conscientious skiers and riders to do their part to reduce landfill debris. All the equipment will be carefully reviewed and we anticipate that some of that unwanted gear might be in good enough condition that it can be donated to learn-to-ski and ride programs that provide equipment to children and adults who can’t afford it,” he added.

Recycling old equipment reduces landfill waste which helps to keep winter cool by reducing methane--a greenhouse gas.

For more information, call Aspen Sports at 970-925-6331.

Entry Filed under: Environment, Skiing, Aspen