Mountainsmith: What recycling is really about - 20 Jul 2007
As I was coming into the show this morning, I took a different entrance gate and landed right in front of a giant poster depicting the steps needed to transform a plastic bottle into a knapsack. Then I heard a, unmistakably warm American greeting and turned around to find a very large smile, and deep blue eyes behind glasses waiting for my answer.
Greg Thomsen, President of Mountainsmith, (the maker of travel storage, backpacks, urban and camera accessories since 1979) took me through the whole technical process with passion and determination. It sounded almost as if he wrote the book on industrial recycling, at least in the sports industry.
Did you know that Mountainsmith’s Tour and Day Lumbar Pack is made of between 13 and 16 plastic bottles? Pretty cool huh? Even more interesting was the candid explanations on why the pack is “not technically 100% recycled” because the zipper is not made of recycled materials. But of course my host had a perfectly logical explanation for that and showed me with a paper and pen, how “he” was in the process of producing a recycled zipper and when it was going to be on the market.
What Greg also pointed out was that some aspects of his lineup “can” be made with recycled material and others just plain shouldn’t. We can get a bit carried away with the “recycle everything” craze. I mean what is the real future usage of the article I’m about to buy? So many of us buy equipment and materials designed to survive far more than we will ever venture to use them for. After all, most of us aren’t really going to climb to the top of Everest, or sleep out in the pouring tropical rain while on a 2 month solitary trek. So if we don’t really need the expert version, why not choose the recycled or recyclable solution?
In the end, Greg pointed out that he would be much better off if only he knew in advance what people really needed and wanted. He said it would make a big difference in the manufacturing and distribution chain because the result would mean less waste and a more optimized distribution network. “Eco footprint is not only about recycling” said Greg, “it’s about integrating consumption right into the product, which would really make a big impact on the Planet”. Well guess what Greg …, that’s exactly what Laneo is here to help you with.
Stay tuned for more adventures with Greg.
Loading ...
