Start-up Struggles: A Ski Recycler’s Story

As the business world catches up with the environmental movement, more and more green ideas and initiatives are turning into companies that operate solely with the environment in mind. With the popularity of green products and services, one would assume that launching a business that offers environmentally friendly services would be an instant recipe for success.

But, as found out by a new green company SKRAP (Ski Recycling And Promotion), the road to building a company around recycling or a green idea is not always easy, but can prove worth it if you keep in mind the difference your company will make.

So your skiis have seen better days? That's where SKRAP comes in. Photo: Ehow.com

The Story of SKRAP

Theresa Da Silva, SKRAP’s vice president of operations, describes her company as “a newborn green company with big hopes of reducing the ski industry’s carbon footprint.” To accomplish this, she and her business partners Mike Coil and Rick Ladzinski plan on raising awareness of recycling in the ski industry by turning old skis, boots and snowboards into a marketable end product that can be sold and reused.

“The idea of SKRAP was originally conceived by Mike Coil and several ski bums like myself who were looking for a green business venture years ago,” Da Silva explains. “Since we live in Bozeman, Mont. and are fortunate enough to be surrounded by the Rockies, we all figured that it was our duty as avid skiers to increase the environmental awareness.”

Da Silva explains that it all started with the idea and, once time permitted them to start the business, they dived into it head first. Then, it turned out that they would need a lot more than just a great green idea to get their company off of the ground.

“I thought [the process of building a green company] would be simple, but it’s tedious – you have to continually show people your idea and why it will work,” she says. “Bozeman is an environmentally conscious town and interest is here, but we need to get more people involved. It’s going to be a hard road to get volunteers, promote ourselves and develop the business.”

The Bunny Slope

One of the first hurtles SKRAP will have to cross is finalizing the end product they would like to create and market. Used skis and ski products often end up  in the landfill or are temporarily turned into other goods such as picture frames, furniture or other products, but with the same destination – the landfill, according to Da Silva.

To prevent this, SKRAP intends to use the “fluff” created by recycled skis and turn it into products that can be continually reused, like climbing walls or park benches. The company has its end product list narrowed down, but it is not finalized.

Bozeman, Mont., home of SKRAP, is a winter sports town and is familiar with the problem of lack of recycling for ski and snowboarding equipment. Photo: Distinctlymontana.com

While tackling the finalization of their end product, SKRAP also has to deal with what many start-up businesses face: logistics. Da Silva says within the next year she would like to get the company fully functional and operational.

This will include organizing volunteers, gaining publicity, creating a central location where skis can be donated and working on a way to organize nationwide pick up and drop offs of skis and products.

Eventually, the creators of SKRAP say they would like the company to become a non-profit. Although they have big goals, Da Silva admits that everything will have to be done in “baby steps.”

Catching Some Air

One recent breakthrough that may help SKRAP launch its way to business and environmental success is its recent discussions with the SIA (SnowSports Industries America), a national non-profit, member-owned trade association representing the snow sports industry. The attention, input and potential support of such a large organization may help SKRAP as it begins its launch into the ski industry spotlight.

“Working with the SIA could be a breakthrough and just helps to reaffirm that this is an exciting idea that could really work once we put it all together,” Da Silva says. “We’re very excited and are going to stick with it to get our end product, and our company, up and running.”

Although creating a green company has had its hard moments in the past, and there will be challenges in the future, Da Silva says she enjoys the fact that she’s part of something that is going to make a difference in the environment and ski industry. For those thinking of going green in the business world, she advises “hold on to your dream, and go get it.”

To learn more about SKRAP (Ski Recycling And Promotion), contact Theresa Da Silva at skrapllc@aol.com.