As the ski season draws to a close, many winter sports enthusiasts face a common question: what should be done with worn-out, damaged, or unsellable ski equipment? In its latest press release, the Association of Austrian Waste Disposal Companies (VOEB) strongly emphasizes that skis, helmets, and ski boots contain valuable secondary raw materials and absolutely do not belong in the residual waste. Industry leaders are pushing to strengthen the circular economy and build innovative recycling systems for winter sports gear.
In Austria, a European stronghold for winter sports, the market for ski equipment—and the resulting waste management challenge—is massive. The official statement from VOEB highlights that through proper selective collection, winter sports equipment could return to the economy as valuable raw materials.
The Challenge of a Winter Sports Nation: 400,000 New Skis Annually
According to the VOEB statement and data from the Association of Austrian Sporting Goods Manufacturers and Sports Retailers, 400,000 pairs of skis are sold in Austria during a single season. This staggering sales volume makes addressing the end-of-life environmental impact of these products increasingly urgent, especially since specialized collection and recycling structures within the sector are only just being developed.
Modern carver skis, helmets, and ski boots are technically highly advanced, complex products. They are made from a combination of metals, plastics, wood, and other specific materials. Gabriele Jüly, President of VOEB, pointed out that the public is already exemplary when it comes to reusing and buying second-hand items (via online marketplaces and flea markets). However, for equipment that can no longer be passed on or sold, innovative structures are needed so that these items do not gather dust in basements or end up mistakenly in general household waste.
Precise Disposal Guidelines: What Goes Where?
VOEB has outlined clear, practical guidelines for the public regarding end-of-season disposal:
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Reuse (Second-hand): Functioning skis, ski boots, helmets, children’s equipment, and intact clothing should be resold or given away. Some sports retailers also take back old equipment for recycling.
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Damaged and Obsolete Equipment: Broken skis, old ski boots, ice skates, and helmets worn during an accident must strictly be taken to a waste collection center (Altstoffsammelzentrum or Mistplatz). Throwing them in the municipal trash bin is prohibited.
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Textiles: Ski jackets, trousers, fleeces, and functional underwear that can no longer be sold must be separated and dropped off at old textile collection points or charity bins.
Innovative Pilot Projects and the WINTRUST Research
Collecting the items from the public is merely the first step; the industrial separation of these complex materials poses a significant technological challenge. This process is being aided by ongoing European pilot projects, such as Recycle Your Boots (which takes back old ski boots upon the purchase of new ones) and LIFE RESKIBOOT (which produces new ski boots from recycled plastics).
In Austria, the WINTRUST research project is conducting the most comprehensive work focused on recycling entire ski setups. The project has already developed pioneering solutions for recycling helmets and separating ski boot shells, aluminum poles, and the individual layers of skis.
Werner Kruschitz, Head of the VOEB Plastics Focus Group, highlighted the progress:
“Recycling ski equipment is no longer a pipe dream; the first promising results from the project make us very optimistic. The crucial next step is for the ski industry to actively use these recyclates and integrate them into new products.”
VOEB and the Austrian Waste Industry in Numbers
The backbone of this national transition is formed by VOEB member companies and the Austrian waste management sector. The association is the voluntary representative body for commercially managed waste and resource management companies, currently comprising over 260 member companies and representing two-thirds of the private Austrian waste market.
The economic and infrastructural weight of the industry is illustrated by the following official statistics:
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The sector operates 3,300 private and municipal facilities.
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The industry employs more than 31,000 workers.
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Companies collect, sort, and recycle 74 million tons of waste annually.
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The annual turnover of the industry is approximately 9 billion euros.
Official Source and Reference:
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Original News Source and Official Statement (VOEB.at): Zweite Spur: Wenn alte Ski zu neuen Wertstoffen werden