A few weeks back, we mentioned that Trek was going to be recycling carbon fiber bicycle frames as carbon fiber is not as “green” as all metal bike frames. Now it appears that Specialized, the manufacturer that created the frame that Alberto Contador just rode to victory in the Giro d’Italia, is creating their own environmental initiative. Some carbon fiber breaks can be repaired, but when is comes to the end of the line, carbon fiber is not a material that can easily be recycled.
This week Bicycle Retailer reported that Specialized has launched a comprehensive sustainability initiative by incorporating Outdoor Industry Association Eco-Index evaluation of their products during product creation, and leading a carbon fiber recycling coalition. Specialized has become the first major industry member to join the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Eco-Index—a comprehensive system for evaluating and improving the environmental footprint of products during the design stage.
“We are committed to becoming the leader of sustainable practices in the cycling industry,” said Specialized president and founder Mike Sinyard to Bicycle Retailer. “As cyclists, we are passionate about our time outdoors, and by nature of the sport, are tied to the health of the planet. We want to ensure this is reflected in how we manufacture bicycles, and ultimately, that the cycling industry becomes the model other industries look to on sustainability practices.”
Specialized has reportedly hired Bryant Bainbridge a Specialized R&D employee in the ‘80s, to be the company’s full-time sustainability strategist. Bainbridge returns to the company from Nike, where he directed the team that created sustainability metrics for the brand. He also co-authored Nike’s Considered Index, widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive systems for predicting the environmental footprint of products during the design phase.
“We are calling for other members of the cycling industry to join us, and support the OIA in its effort to create an equipment module for the Eco-Index, designed to address the environmental footprint of the products sold in our industry,” said Specialized chief product officer Eric Edgecumbe to Bicycle Retailer.
Specialized also appears to be following Trek’s line, noting a concern about carbon fiber recycling.
[Via Bicycle Retailer: Specialized Unveils Sustainability Initiative]