Although the climate crisis has dropped out of the news cycle during the current COVID-19 pandemic, it's great to see the cycling industry is still trying to reduce their impact on the planet. Here are three of the latest announcements on new eco-initiatives that will hopefully help lessen the environmental damage of our sport.
Elite:Although most cycling water bottles are reusable and can last quite a long time, they will all reach a point where they will most likely end up in landfill, which can lead to a breakdown period of between 100 to 1000 years for a standard water bottle. With Elite's new biodegradable Jet bottles, the time for the bottle to fully breakdown is between 3 months and five years, which is a significant reduction.
Elite claims that this is thanks to "additive" microorganisms that are responsible for the degrading process and are able to attack the polymeric chain of the plastic, which helps to significantly reduce the time it takes for the bottle to fully degrade. The use of an additive in the BPA-Free plastic means that Elite is able to create a bottle that they claim decomposes far quicker than any standard plastic bottle.
Find out more about the Jet bottle range
here.
UCI:This week the UCI announced that it has signed the United Nations (UN)
'Sports for Climate Action Framework' as part of the organisation's efforts to make cycling "one of the world’s most environmentally friendly sports."
The UN's framework sets out to bring together more than 100 international federations, sports governing bodies, competitions, franchises and teams with the aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from sports. It works in line with the Paris Climate Agreement to use the large cultural influence of sport to inspire global action on climate change. The framework was originally co-created by the UN and the IOC and was launched in December of 2018.
By signing up to the framework this week the UCI has now committed to:
- Undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility
- Reduce its overall climate impact
- Educate about climate action
- Promote sustainable and responsible consumption
- Advocate for climate action through communication
| The world is in the midst of the coronavirus emergency on which we are all rightly focused, but we cannot afford to ignore the ever-constant threat of climate change. Even while the sporting calendar is suspended, the UCI – in line with our Federation’s roadmap Agenda 2022 – is working hard to rise to the challenges climate change poses to the future of our sport. It is therefore logical that we play our part in the global sporting effort to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Signing the UN’s Sport for Climate Action Framework is a big step that our Federation is proud to take. We are fully committed to making professional cycling one of the world’s most environmentally friendly sports, and to promoting cycling as a mode of transport in order to unlock a greener and healthier future for all.— Amina Lanaya, UCI Director-General |
| We congratulate the UCI on the decision to join the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework. As a global symbol of sustainable transportation, cycling has a unique ability to help address climate change while keeping us fit and healthy. The UCI is among 120 sports organisations that have joined the framework so far. We look forward to working hand in hand with the Union to ensure an impactful implementation of this commitment.— Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Sustainability |
The UCI's main commitment will be to coordinate work that is already underway across cycling to promote environmental sustainability and work its network of 196 national federations and the IOC to take their plans forward. Currently, they aim to have a detailed multidiscipline toolkit for use across the sport available later this year.
Find out more about the UN's
'Sports for Climate Action Framework' here.
Chris King:Chris King is another company reflecting on the impact they have on the world as they have announced that they are now registered as a Certified B Corporation, the first manufacturer in the bike industry to do so.
"Since Chris founded the company in 1976 we have operated with two goals in mind; manufacture high-quality bike parts in an environmentally responsible manner, and have those parts outperform and outlast the competition, staying on bikes and out of the landfill.
We’re proud to say that we still believe in these principles and are expanding upon them. Chris King Precision Components is proud to have met the rigorous B Corporation standards and be a Certified B Corporation, joining their movement to use 'business as a force for good'."
As a B Corporation Chris King believe:
- "That we must be the change we seek in the world."
- "That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place matter."
- "That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all."
- "To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations."
- "While we are joining over 3000 Certified B Corporations, we are the first manufacturer in the bike industry to meet the rigorous standards. We hope to be an inspiration to other brands in the cycling industry."
In the press release released by Chris King, they recognise their large impact on the environment but say that because of this they must ensure they make "serviceable components that last a lifetime so they never have to be made again." They go on to add that the next step is offering their 'King Lifetime Warranty' on all their products. "Our warranty means that we will keep your parts running for life. If you ever damage one of our parts we will service it and replace the damaged components, we believe in keeping good parts on bikes as long as possible."
Chris King has also looked at their manufacturing process where they have tried to reclaim materials and make it easier to recycle waste products.
| We capture and separate all of the chips of aluminum and steel that are made while turning barstock into our parts. We then strain and separate the cutting oil while compacting the loose chips into dense and compact pucks of material. This makes them easier to transport and more efficient to recycle.
While recapturing the chips we also recapture our cutting fluid because we use organic canola oil instead of a traditional cutting fluid which has to be changed often, creating large amounts of waste, cutting inconsistency, and can be a skin irritant for workers. Our canola oil is US sourced and has an infinite lifespan as long as we recapture and strain/centrifuge it, and can be recycled if we ever stopped using it for some reason. This oil causes us to machine slower than a traditional cutting fluid but we believe that the environmental benefits far outweigh the slower machining speed. |
Find out more about the steps Chris King have taken to become a B Corporation
here.
Giro:Giro's Renew Series of apparel for men and women uses recycled nylon, polyester and elastane from fishing nets and ocean waste.
Giro believes that the global apparel industry is estimated to be the source of 8% of all greenhouse gas emissions and ocean waste creates a huge problem for the future of our oceans, because of this Giro looked to find a way to make clothing that was more sustainable. Currently, it is estimated that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste in our oceans all of which creates a hugely damaging effect on our planet. Fishing nets can stay in the water for years and even after breaking down they leave deadly microplastics.
| Most modern nets are made of nylon or other plastic compounds that can last for centuries. According to a 2018 study in Scientific Reports, ghost nets make up at least 46 percent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Those abandoned fishing lines and nets that do breakdown never go away; they just become smaller pieces of plastic. Marine animals mistake this microplastic for food and eat it.— WWF |
For their Renew Series Giro has teamed up with Econyl, which is a company that uses nylon waste from landfills and the ocean to create their innovative 'regenerated nylon'. Through their process of regeneration, Econyl is able to save 70,000 barrels of crude oil and 57,100 tonnes of CO2 emission for every 10,000 tons of raw Enconyl nylon produced.
| We strive to create breakthrough products through research, smart design, and meaningful innovation. Regenerated materials like Econyl are the key to creating Renew Series products that people want to wear because they offer the same level of performance and style, they feel great, and they are better for the planet than conventional alternatives.—Giro Apparel Product Manager, Margaux Elliott |
In our recent
'Ask Us Anything' with Giro, Margaux Elliott the apparel product manager, mentions that although they are improving the production of garments it is also vitally important that consumers look at the way they use products and ensure they are reducing their own consumption. "One of the biggest environmental issues with apparel is that generally people are buying more and using them for shorter periods of time. According to an article by Mckinsey, the average consumer bought 60% more apparel products in 2014 than 2000 and used them half as long…we encourage people to only buy apparel that they need and use them as long as possible. Our renew series is the “reuse” and “recycle”, but we need consumers to “reduce” for the full picture to improve." Margaux Elliott also revealed in the comments that they have found that in the past year 79% of all mountain bike jerseys sold have contained recycled material.
In addition to the apparel line Giro have strived to ensure that nearly all of their packaging is made from recycled content with a focus on using post-consumer content. Find out more about Giro's Renew Series
here.
( yes sometimes I do road
I hear people talking about how the air is cleaner in big cities. How Co2 emissions have gone down... BULL. While this may be happening, Corona is taking its toll on the planet. As you said we are emitting more and more plastic waste (waste in general, not just plastic), and once this is all over it will be worse than ever. People are going to be throwing out all the food that they panic bought but then realized they would never eat, and Politicians are going to disregard environmental regulations, all to get their economies up and running. Why doesn't world open its eyes, start doing something?
Dont get me wrong, These companies mentioned, and many others, are doing great things. But a few mountain biking companies can't change the world themselves...
All I can say I thanks for doing what you're doing, hopefully others will do the same.
The US is not perfect, but is extremely clean in comparison to majority of countries in the world. US manages garbage better and has lot of regulations to aid in keeping it cleaner. 1/3 of countries do not have raw sewage treatment plants. Potable water is a rare thing around the world. US air quality is one of the best in the world for smog. World's Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index waqi.info
So, what is your solution if first world countries are the problem?
I call it the christmas effect. If you cant open a big shinny box, the gift not worthy.
Prioritizing local goods? So, basically you have to get rid of all your MTB equipment as well. FYI, pretty much all made overseas. Good luck finding MTB equipment grown locally. Sorry, but that is the inconvenient truth.
I would love to see Pinkbike add a rating to quantify this sort of thing to every review in addition to already existing categories where when summarizing a review there's now a section on the environmental impact of products. That is how we as an industry can push manufacturers. A rating system would allow those interested to gain more information on every product tested and those who aren't interested can ignore it. there are companies out there doing really good things for this world, there's also companies that say they are, but really aren't. Companies (especially small ones) circle and star pinkbike review day on the calendar because the site has become such a powerhouse. If every company knew that "the Pinkbike review" was followed by the question of "What do you do for the planet?" one would think they will want to have something to say.
Sure Giro, King, the UCI, and Elite are doing good things for the planet but what is Pinkbike doing?
My suggestion would be start with textiles and companies where the environment is their focus (e.g. King) then move from there. When *insert company name here* hears that customers are making choices against them because another company aligns more with their environmental philosophy, companies will seek to make changes appropriately.
Lastly, collectively we need to focus on the "good" this isn't about saying "*insert brand name here* doesn't do anything for the environment". It's about saying here's a company, they make this cool product, and they recycle their chips manufacture in small batches, and ship in cost effective packaging. Every company does something, some do more and go above and beyond and I want more focus on those efforts.
Your dollar is your vote, support companies that support what you believe in!
Also Chris King: “Not only are we going to stop making non-boost MTB hubs, but we’re also going to stop making PARTS for those hubs! Even axles. And we’re definitely not going to make boost converters. Or make our microspline driver compatible with our non-boost hubs. So you can keep using them for life but you can’t move them to a new bike. Got that?”
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I have two wheelsets running ISO hubs, 135mm with FunBolts. At some point I'm sure I'll move on to frames with 142x12mm thru axles. I know that you've discontinued these non-boost hubs, but have you also discontinued the axle spares? I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy axles now that I won't need for a couple years.
Thanks,
-Dave
_________________
Morning Dave,
Thanks for reaching out. You are correct about our discontinuation of
those hubs however we still do have the axles you'll need to convert
them in stock. The part number you're looking for is PHB569 for the rear
axle; you can order those through one of our dealers or on our website
in ISO small parts. Happy riding!
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Thanks for the info! I think I mis-formed my question, though. Are you planning on continuing to make these, so that I could buy them a couple years from now, or do I need to buy them now?
Thanks,
-Dave
___________________________
No problem! We are no longer making them but since we still have them in stock you can purchase them a Chris King dealer for some peace of mind.
Thanks
Bikes are supposed to be environmentally friendly, so let's help this industry get back on track. Not buying plastic you don't need, buying bulk brake pads and other items, buying items in cardboard or biodegradeable packaging, messaging component manufacturers, and of course making sure to properly recycle anything you can are some of the things we could do for the benefit of our planet.
I have a question tho, what do I do with old/damaged helmets? And worn out tyres. I don’t want to put them into landfill, but don’t know what I can do with them for the better? Someone educate me please. (Genuine questions & thanks in advance)
Ban all the bike movies which begin with the promotion of cars to get to the trail head!
This is really annoying, especially many movies from the US. I don't want to see bike hanging from the back of a truck, anymore. I know, its boring sometimes, and time consuming to get to the forest or trail by bike, but it should be done!
Can I still watch the DH races? Or do they have to blur out the chairlifts for proper viewing cleanliness?