Winter 2020 - Inside Outdoor Magazine

Inside Outdoor | WINTER 2020 28 BrandWatch Meier Handmade Skis from Colorado Trees un- veiled its new eco initia- tives for 2020, which focus on waste reduction, higher- quality base materials and tops sheets and non-toxic resins. And since Meier handmakes all its skis at the Meier Craft Skiery in Denver, Colo., all initiatives are immediate.  In waste reduction, Meier has eliminated more than 12 feet of single-use plastic film waste from each ski and snowboard in favor of a removable adhesive band. The company now uses a small adhesive band instead of single-use shrink wrap over the entire ski or snowboard. A durable hydro- phobic nylon topsheet with printing on the underside boosts durability and aesthetic appeal, said the company.  “There has been a growing trend among large ski brands to cut costs and increase volume and competi- tive pricing,” said Ted Eynon, owner and founder at Meier, “and with that some noticeable short cuts have been taken in material and lower quality top sheets. We make skis to last.” Instead of traditional epoxy, the non-toxic Super Sap used by Meier is derived from pine resin and recy- cled vegetable oil for greener manu- facturing. Meanwhile, the product guide and warranty and registration information included with product purchase is made from 100 percent post consumer waste (PCW) paper. Meier’s eco-friendly and high- performance skis and snowboards get their unique character from a signature aspen and beetle kill pine wood core, said Eynon. The company harvests the trees in Colorado with responsible silvicultural techniques to help mitigate wildfire risk and give trees killed in the beetle kill pine epidemic a second life. MiiR, a drinkware company with a social and environmental mission, recently introduced its circular Re:Claimed program with the unveiling of the Re:Claimed mug. Inspired by a restored 1966 Tucker 442 Sno-Cat pulled from a junkyard, the circular drinkware line transforms returns, scratch and dents, misprints and warran- tied items into something useful. From restored drinking vessel to candle holder to planter to pencil storage, every Re:Claimed cup is diverted from the waste stream and given a new purpose.  Sportube Adopts 100% Recycled HDPE for 2020 The formidable Sportube hard cases are being re-launched this winter using a 100 percent recycled HDPE plastic. According to the company, the better sourced, environmentally friendly solu- tion maintains the superior strength and durability of virgin materials, while helping reduce any impact on the environment. “Even though 100 perecnt recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic is only currently available in black, we decided it was a step in the right direc- tion to doing our part to help the planet,” said Sportube founder and owner Paul Hields. ”One hundred percent recycled HDPE looks the same, feels the same and performs the same as what is known as virgin or unused material.”  Made in the USA, Sportube hard cases come in three different models to suit any purpose of travel. The Series 1 Sportube is the smallest and light- est case. It can hold one pair of skis and poles and weighs approximately 8 pounds. The Series 2 Sportube is the company’s mid-size case, perfect for two pair of skis and weighing about 12 pounds. Still need more room? The Series 3 Sportube is the largest of the three and is ideal for one to two snow- boards or three pair of skis and poles, weighing approximately 14 pounds. Meier Announces Aggressive 2020 Eco Initiative MiiR Goes Circular with Re:Claimed