Jean Zeid 06:53, April 5, 2024
Every morning, Jean Zeid delivers the best in terms of innovation. This Friday, he is interested in the Savoyard cooperative SkiTEC which has decided to transform skis destined for the trash into furniture and street furniture.
This Friday morning, we're talking about furniture made from used skis.
With the heat returning for at least a while, it's time for certain pairs of skis to be scrapped. 500,000 skis are thrown away each year in France. A cooperative has decided to change things, it is called SkiTEC, a Savoyard cooperative created at the beginning of 2021 by the will of seven founders, all mountain enthusiasts and all determined to transform the skis intended in the trash in furniture and street furniture.
How did they start their approach?
By building up a stock of used skis. SkiTEC went to meet manufacturers, distributors, recycling centers of course and ski clubs first in the Northern Alps.
What is so special about these skis that they allow such recycling?
They are strong, flexible and durable. Flexibility allows for more comfort. These are products with excellent waterproofing, the bottom of the skis being made of a plastic known for its non-absorbent properties. They are not dismantled or ground these skis, they are cut and drilled in their workshop to create furniture
What types of furniture can you design with old skis?
In fact, the possibilities are quite vast: stools, benches, armchairs, tables, including coat hooks and why not pergolas... All this furniture is designed and manufactured on site. Skitec can even create custom models. The fact remains that this furniture market for individuals and businesses is still too little curious about this type of recycling, so Skitec has also turned to communities, this is what we call street furniture: benches, bus shelters, bicycle shelters and other panels, Skitec offers it all, it even manufactures solar panels based on skis. And all this with a bold design and foolproof durability. The cooperative's products are also guaranteed for ten years.
What is the long-term objective for this cooperative?
Recycling 100,000 skis per year from 2025 out of the 500,000 thrown away per year in France is not bad. But they are clearly on a dark trail. After legal receivership, Skitec decided to move upmarket by getting closer to the expectations of mountain hoteliers and traders. Enough to spend a few more years on this recycling unlike any other.