Recycle an Old Ski Helmet

Before disposing of an old ski helmet, check the condition of the shell. Look for discoloration or high UV exposure. If you notice discoloration, you should replace it. Also, check the straps. If they stretch forcefully, they should be replaced. Check out how to know if your snowboard helmet need to be replaced. Using an outdated helmet can be a potential hazard.

Recycle

One of the quickest and easiest ways to recycle an old ski helmet is to break it down into its component parts. The Eps (Expanded Poly Styrene) shell on the inside of the helmet needs to be removed. This material can be recycled at mail-in centers and drop-off locations. You can also contact your local recycling center to see if they'll take your old helmet. If you dropped your helmet, read here more from us to learn if you should replace it.

While you may think that destroying your old ski helmet is the only way to recycle it, a new process is helping the environment. Some of the recycled Eps can be used as an amendment to soil. The only downside is that recycled Eps would not be as durable as virgin Eps. It would have to be much thicker and have more internal reinforcing. This would make the helmets bulkier and have fewer vents. Another option is to take the helmet to a facility that burns trash to produce electricity.

Depending on the material of your helmet, you can recycle it yourself or donate it to a charity. The plastic shell and Eps foam is recyclable, as is the nylon straps and buckle. Depending on the type of helmet, you may need to dismantle them completely. To recycle them, you will need to separate these materials into separate bags or boxes. Then, you can send your helmet to a recycling center. However, it is important to note that these programs typically don't want mixed materials.

Re-purpose

An old ski helmet is an excellent source of recycled materials. Its foam interior (Eps) is easily recyclable; you can take it to mail-back centers or drop-off locations. Nylon is also recyclable; you can visit Recycle Nation's Locator to find recycling locations in your area. If the plastic buckles are still usable, donate them to a local theater or Army Navy store. The fabric padding can be donated to a fabric scrap collection, such as those at local farmers' markets.

You can also re-purpose an old ski helmet. Many helmet manufacturers will take your old ski helmets and examine them for possible issues that were overlooked in the production process. These helmets are then recycled, and you'll save money and the environment at the same time. You can also take your old ski helmet to a local recycling facility and make use of the lining foam, which can be used as packing material or a soil amendment.

Another way to reuse your old ski helmet is to make a bird house out of it. You can paint the helmet, sand it, or air-brush it to make it look like a bird house. You can even use the helmet as a bird feeder. You can find a kit on Amazon with complete instructions.

Donate

If you have an old ski helmet that is no longer in use, consider donating it to a charity. Not only will your helmet be put to good use, but the organization will also take care of shipping it to a recycling center. Helmets are often made of Eps foam, which can be recycled. To learn more, visit the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers' website. 

Helmets are not always easy to recycle. They typically consist of a plastic shell, an Eps foam liner, and straps made of nylon or polyethylene. Because they are made of different materials, it is difficult to recycle them in most local programs. However, a program in Portland, Oregon, takes all the pieces of the helmet and recycles them.

Some helmets can be recycled, but you should avoid throwing away a damaged or expired one. If you still want to donate it, you can contact a local recycling center or contact the manufacturer to ask for a discount on a new helmet. However, you should never throw away an old ski helmet, as this could lead to a dangerous situation for other skiers.

Most ski helmets can be recycled. You can recycle the plastic shell or the foam and padding, but you should remember that you will need to remove the padding and foam. If you don't want to donate your old ski helmet, you can even use it as a hanging planter. Check out the best skiing helmets to buy.