Bjorn Bikes Introduces Recycled Grips
PRESS RELEASE: Bjorn Bikes
In partnership with ODI Grips - the world leader in grip technology, we at Bjorn Bikes are excited to announce a new item in our line of sustainably produced cycling products; recycled grips. The grips will be produced by recycling leftover thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) - the flexible, rubber-like materials used to make bicycle grips - from the injected moulding process, as well as other grips that didn’t pass QC testing.
The challenge in producing recycle grips was finding a factory that would be willing to recycle discarded TPEs in-house. “You can’t just walk into any manufacturer and ask them to change their production process,” explains Dennis Beare, Bjorn Bikes Founder.
Finally, we approached ODI Grips - the world leader in grip technology - and they immediately came on-board with the idea. “They suggested that we could use their post-industrial TPE material from all their other grips to make our grips at their headquarters in the USA,” says Dennis. This means that any leftover bits created during the process of making ODI’s performance grips will be melted back down and used to make 100% recycled ones.
“We are excited about the opportunity to assist Bjorn in their mission to make bicycle products more sustainable,” says ODI Grips Brand Manager, Colby Young. “The state of our environment and the long term viability of our industry are inextricably entwined and as such we see the need to take an active role in finding pathways to reducing waste at all levels. ODI has been actively looking for ways to expand our existing programs in this area so when we were approached by Bjorn and found out about their sustainability efforts and how they were targeting the bicycling industry in particular, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with them on this mission.”
These grips are designed specifically to work with the unique properties of the recycled material.
The recycled TPE is less malleable than its original form and therefore these grips are designed specifically to work with the recycled material properties. An important part of the production process is sorting the available grades of material to ensure that the recycled grips feel consistent and comparable to non-recycled grips.
These durable and versatile grips will feature offset centers to add extra comfort on contact points, sectional texture on the top and bottom for excellent traction and thumb chamfers for increased ergonomics. We wanted to produce a great all-round grip that will suit anyone that wants the option to run a sustainable product.” These 130mm long and 31mm thick grips are offered in single lock-on options for easy installation and are included in the company’s carbon offset program.
These grips are just the next in the long line of recycled and sustainable products that we plan to produce. “The inspiration has always been to produce cycling components in the most ethical way possible. And give cyclists the option to purchase sustainable cycling products,” says Dennis.
“When we were approached by Bjorn we were impressed with the bold scope of how they intended to use as much recycled materials as possible in their manufacturing processes,” says Colby. “We were also very intrigued with their creative use of scrap materials from the bicycling industry in particular. Based on these two factors we felt that their objectives lined up perfectly with our internal efforts and are eager to get this new line of products to the marketplace. It is our hope that this project will prove the viability of sustainably sourced materials and push more companies to make this a part of their ongoing operations.”
We are currently working on a recycling program for their grips. We hope to offer this feature in the near future.
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Yes absolutely there are energy costs and a whole host of difficult problems to overcome. If it is possible to overcome then you will see a product on the market. If, like you say it could take more energy than it saves then you wont see that product succeed! The article said it was Bjorn's idea, not ODI's, But ODI are making it happen where other producers could not. Also they say they are using post industrial waste, So that means they are using waste material already at the factory (no collecting, No shipping, No raw materials) these grips are significantly more sustainable!
Recycling is an Old idea, and its a Good one! the New good idea here is applying the Old Idea to a new industry. So I count this as a good idea weather you consider it a new one or an old one! I'm petty sure we will have more good ideas to! As long as we have people like Bjorn and ODI who are willing to give new ideas a try to find out if they are good or not? then thats good!
This is such a micro market within a micro market within a micro market it is difficult to imagine the REAL sales projections.
Personally, I know nobody who would pay a premium for grips using recycled rubber from the grips made from virgin material. I see this as a virtue signaling exercise to test the "sustainable" label.
I think it is good to be wary of virtue signaling. I would be keen to look out for companies that identify their failures as well as their successes. Also if they identify that they don't have all the answers and that there is more room for improvement. It would likely show that they are engaged in the process and not just ticking the box. It seems like bjorn started out with sustainability as their main statement as opposed to a company that has just tacked it on to their mission statement. That would give me a bit of confidence that there is some credibility there.
Ultimately if industry can make something at least incrementally better for the environment. It does not matter a great deal if it is virtue signalling or die hard ethical pioneering.
It's good that, as you are doing, people are critical. Being realistic about the limitations of any venture is really valuable. Also being vigilant is important we cant have companies fraudulently claiming green ethics when they are not!
Just watch the video, everything is explained in it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B799GQQyqM0
(Also, how do I recycle old riding shoes?)
it's a bit like a deja vu. It's just me, or...?
But not! It isn't:
m.pinkbike.com/news/pond-beaver-2020-day-one-randoms-grips-made-from-grips-and-more.html
Why for the second time?
this is just more virtue signalling to sell product.
Which they just cut trunk & tap off the sap?
Hopefully these will kick other companies into doing the same and the prices will come down