Fluoro ski wax take back program set for May in Colorado

May 3rd, 2022 | Watershed Council

The Vail Daily published this article, written by John LaConte, on 4/28/2022. View it here.

John LaConte

 

By now, lots of skiers and snowboarders have recognized that most traditional ski wax companies are contributors to the petroleum industry.

Many of those skiers and snowboarders aren’t so uncomfortable with the demand they’re creating for oil extraction in this regard, not to mention the fact that the polyfluoroalkyl substances used in ski wax can be toxic to the environment and do not biodegrade.

But even if you’ve switched to a plant-based wax, the question still remains: What on Earth you should do with the many bars of fluoro wax you still have in your collection?

The idea is the outdoor recreation industry’s first and only fluoro wax take-back program.

The Wright Collegiate Challenge describes itself as an effort to “prepare Colorado higher-ed students to enter the workforce by providing first-hand experience working alongside small businesses and nonprofit organizations,” while also looking to help develop actionable solutions to current-day challenges within the outdoor recreation industry sector.

The challenge is presented in partnership with the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and takes place over the course of the collegiate spring semester. Students from Colorado Mesa University’s Outdoor Industry Studies Program, Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus, and Western Colorado University’s Outdoor Industry MBA Program formed teams this year.
The program culminated on Monday with a final live event where the teams, comprised of 27 students in total, presented their understanding of the challenge at hand and pitched their solution.
A panel of judges included various leaders in Colorado’s outdoor industry; the judges gave the students from Western Colorado University’s Outdoor Industry MBA Program the Best in Class award for their work with MountainFLOW eco-wax to develop the take-back program.
“What these students have accomplished in just 10 weeks is nothing short of amazing,” said Chuck Sullivan, executive director of the Wright Collegiate Challenge. “While the Wright Collegiate Challenge offers students the opportunity to get their hands dirty working alongside industry leaders like mountainFLOW eco-wax, we provide no roadmap. Here with the take-back program, we see the results of two student teams coming together to innovate, collaborate and creatively solve for a critical challenge facing our watersheds and the outdoor industry as a whole.”

Peter Arlein helped launched MountainFlow Eco Wax with a KickStarter campaign in 2019 after spending years doing research.
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Throughout May, you’ll be able to drop off wax at Salida Mountain Sports in Salida, Powder7 in Golden, and evo Denver. There will also be a fluorinated wax deposit box at the Wright Collegiate Challenge table at the Colorado Outdoor Industry Leadership Summit in Crested Butte May 19-20. More details on the program’s mail-in option will be forthcoming.The team is following guidance from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for safe storage and eventual disposal.“We are thrilled to be working the Wright Collegiate Challenge and a team of motivated students from Western Colorado University and Colorado Mesa University to tackle this important issue,” said Peter Arlein with Carbondale-based mountainFLOW eco-wax. “Fluorinated ski wax has been a known environmental concern for years, and our take-back program will ensure that this carcinogenic chemical will not be exposed to people or the environment.”