Closing the Loop: Inside the Circular Innovations of Ski Equipment Brands

Every year, millions of us take to the slopes with a line up of new skis, boards, boots and poles, but few consider where that gear ends up when it's no longer usable. The fact that most ski equipment is made from complex material blends (aluminium, fiberglass, plastic and steel), means that the production of ski gear carries a significant carbon footprint, from raw material extraction to manufacturing and disposal.

But what if that gear didn’t have to go to waste? What if the end of one ski’s life could be the beginning of another? As skiers become more and more conscious of where their gear comes from and where it ends up, the industry is rethinking design with a focus on recyclability, by finding ways to break down old equipment and repurpose it for new uses.

Tecnica Group’s Recycle Your Boots Initiative: Closing the Loop

Ski boots are one of the most difficult pieces of gear to recycle. In Europe alone, an estimated 6.5 million pairs of ski boots are discarded each ear, with around 9 million kilograms ending up in landfills or incinerated.

With approximately 3.5 million ski boots produced globally each year and an average lifespan of just 3 to 5 years, most are discarded after use. This short lifecycle leads to considerable waste, plastic pollution and the loss of valuable raw materials. Annual disposal alone releases ~16,000 tons of CO₂.

In response to this issue, Europe’s leading ski equipment rental network, SKISET, has recently partnered with the Recycle Your Boots (RYB) initiative launched by Tecnica group. Through this partnership, both skiers and snowboarders can drop-off their old boots at any of SKISET’s 800+ locations, where the boots are then broken down into individual components and given a new lease of life.

Tecnica’s initiative is one of the first large-scale programs of its kind in the ski industry. Once boots are collected through SKISET or any other RYB collection point, they go through a sorting process:

Usable boots are cleaned, repaired and resold via social impact channels, such as community sports programs.

Non-repairable boots are disassembled. The plastic shells are shredded into granuals, then reprocessed to form parts for new ski boots. Metal components like buckles and screws are also recovered and reused, either in ski manufacturing or other industries. Linings are broken down and used to create Liski protection mattresses, keeping skiers safe long after the boots come off.

So far, the results speak volumes. Over 28,000 pairs of boots have been recycled through the initiative, avoiding more than 330 tons of CO₂ emissions. Thanks to the integration of recycled plastic into its production lines, Tecnica has cut the carbon footprint of each boot from 7.4 kg CO₂ to just 3.5 - that’s an impressive 53% reduction. With more than 30,000 boots already manufactured using these recycled polymers, this is now a scalable model for the future of ski gear.

Similarly, Dalbello’s LIFE RESKIBOOT initiative has successfully manufactured over 1,000 pairs of new, performance-level boots using approximately 90% recycled materials. In an industry where durability, safety and comfort are non-negotiable, LIFE RESKIBOOT’s emphasis on maintaining product performance while using post-consumer materials is evidence that sustainability doesn’t have to come at the cost of quality.

Rossignol’s Essential Ski

Rossignol, a pioneer in the ski industry for over a century has taken a monumental leap with the introduction of the Essential Ski. This model boasts a recyclability rate of 77% - a stark contrast to the industry average of 10%. Crafted with a minimalist approach, the Essential comprises 35% aluminium, 35% wood, and 7% steel, with 62% of these materials being recycled or certified as natural and bio-sourced. The top-sheet design avoids solvents and water, produced in Rossignol's Sallanches, France factory, which itself is operated on renewable energy.

By 2028, Rossignol aims for one-third of its ski collection to embody this sustainable approach. They have gone a step further here by open-sourcing the Essential’s design, encouraging others in the industry to follow suit; a power move for transparency and collaboration across the industry.

Geartrade: Extending Life Cycles, Not Landfills

Geartrade, the leading resale marketplace for used outdoor gear in the U.S., is proving that reuse at scale can be a powerful tool for reducing waste in the winter sports industry. In 2024 alone, the platform moved over 50,000 pounds of gear - skis, snowboards, jackets, boots, and more - marking an 80% increase in sales year-over-year. It’s clear to see that this astonishing growth is a signal that resale is gaining real traction among consumers who care about both performance and planet.

In order for circular initiatives to have an impact, it’s essential that they are easy for consumers to engage with and that’s exactly what Geartrade does. Through its Recommerce Services program, the platform handles everything from pricing and photography to shipping and customer service. This removes the friction for sellers and encourages more gear to re-enter circulation rather than collect dust, or worse, end up in landfills.

Beyond ease of use Geartrade encourages consumers to engage through brand partnerships with companies like DPS Skis and Flylow. These collaborations allow consumers to trade in used gear for brand credit, creating an incentive loop that supports both circular consumption and brand loyalty. It’s a smart business model that aligns sustainability with convenience and reward.

By extending the usable life of gear, Geartrade helps reduce demand for new manufacturing, which is a key contributor to carbon emissions in the outdoor industry. Reuse avoids the energy, water and raw materials needed to produce something new, all the while keeping gear in action and out of the waste stream.

So… Does It Make a Difference?

Absolutely. Here’s a quick snapshot:

And this is just from a few companies - the broader potential is enormous. If just 50% of all ski gear followed circular practices by 2030, the industry could cut its carbon footprint by up to 40%, reduce virgin plastic use by millions of kilos, and keep countless items out of landfills.

Where to Recycle Your Gear Right Now

Here are some easy wins for eco-conscious skiers:

• Tecnica Group (Europe) – Recycle Your Boots program

• Rossignol – Drop-off locations for recyclable skis

• Geartrade (USA) – Sell or trade in used gear

• Patagonia Worn Wear – Accepts snow gear and repairs it

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