We know importing skis and gear has an impact in this world. July 2025 saw Earth Overshoot Day when all the resources were used up that would be naturally regenerated in time for use next year.
Our aim as a family and as a business is to do what we can to to reduce our impact, balanced with running the company and being realistic with our quality of life. Everything we do is aimed at getting us and our friends out on the water, safely. By keeping active and healthy we are happier and that enables us to think better, to enjoy this world and cause less problems in the long term. By keeping our environment healthy we minimise the impact of our sport (on beaches, in car parks, on the water). We drive rather than fly if possible. We'll take your skis and you to reduce miles.
Every aspect of our business is a work in progress. The car is electric, run off our solar panels. The office and house are heated with the air source heat pump, and all thoroughly insulated. We consistently look at how we source the skis and gear - we know everything we sell is of top quality so long lasting, if looked after well, and we can help get it repaired if/when you dink a ski.
One aspect of this is how we send out product: there is an array of packaging and it's hard to know what to use, that will keep the products in good condition when they arrive with you. (If the product is not protected then we risk cosmetic damage – not something you want with new stuff).
Recycled paper would seem to be the best, but ironically it has the highest impacts in energy to create/ water usage/ waste.
Single Use Plastic seems a waste as that material is to blame for so much of what is wrong (from micro-plastics to litter).
There is an option to use biodegradable plastic, but this has off-gases of CO2 & CH4 (both GHGs).
Our primary choice is actually recycled plastic (so using the waste of what has already been created).
More thinking is required in this area, especially when the impacts of single use plastic is about the same as just sending one additional regular email.
We want postage & packaging to be charged at cost (materials + time), so buying from us in person (at events or on the yard) has many advantages: you get to try and feel the products too.
For those who want to know the figures:
Impact Studies - (of 1000 bags)
Poly Compostable rPaper
Total Energy MJ 763 2070 2622
Solid Waste kg 7 19.2 33.9
GHG CO2 t 0.04 0.18 0.08
Fresh Water Gal 58 1017 1008
Fossil Fuel kg 14.9 41.5 23.2
Back to sustainability – our philosophy is that the gear that lasts the longest (because of best materials & design) will have the lowest impact. That you buy well, once. That we take in and resell boats, paddles and gear you are moving on from. Almost everything we supply can be repaired – if you need specialist advice: then get in touch. We try to follow the best thinking, but recognise that this area is constantly progressing and we welcome positive improvements and ideas.