recycling bike helmets

johnnymd · Post by **johnnymd** » 28 Aug 2007, 6:33pm

Hi,

Does anyone know of anywhere I can recycle my bike helmet? I am on my third one now and hate the idea of them going into a landfill.

I have considered breaking it up and recycling the component parts, but would be better if one place dealt with them, as I'm not sure all of the plastic is recyclable.

Cheers.

Paul R · Post by **Paul R** » 28 Aug 2007, 8:28pm

Apparently expanded polystyrene, the major structural component in helmets, is an unpopular material to recycle, although it can be done. It seems it's high volume to low mass ratio makes it uneconomical to collect/recycle.

PW · Post by PW » 28 Aug 2007, 9:29pm

Look at it this way, if the carbon's in the ground and it doesn't rot, then it isn't adding to climatic problems.

Starfire · Post by **Starfire** » 28 Aug 2007, 10:08pm

I given some of my old helmets to the local Ambulance Station. They practice removing and cutting them off casuaties for training purposes. Not what you would call recycling, but they are put to good use.

horizon · Post by **horizon** » 29 Aug 2007, 1:26pm

PW wrote:Look at it this way, if the carbon's in the ground and it doesn't rot, then it isn't adding to climatic problems.

No, but take a look at any news items about Nigeria and you will see that getting it from the ground in the first place is enough to make one give up using any petro-chemical product.

horizon · Post by **horizon** » 29 Aug 2007, 1:35pm

Paul R wrote:Apparently expanded polystyrene, the major structural component in helmets, is an unpopular material to recycle, although it can be done. It seems it's high volume to low mass ratio makes it uneconomical to collect/recycle.

For unpopular read "lazy, irresponsible, greedy, quite stupid manufacturers" and "vote grabbing, short sighted, lazy, quite stupid local councillors" and "unbelievably irresponsible, in the pockets of lobbyists government."

While most polystyrene isn't actually needed (papier mache is fine for packaging), the rest can be compressed and reused. For several years I have been taking all our surplus polystyrene to the Comet/Curry's depot in Plymouth where it is compressed and then used in making fence posts etc. I asked why they didn't collect consumer packaging at their stores but never got a satisfactory explanation - the actual reason is that they are not legally obliged to.

The first thing I ask in a bike shop or any other shop is how do I recycle this and what do I do with the packaging. They don't like it.

Anyway, well done johnny for raising the issue.

horizon · Post by **horizon** » 29 Aug 2007, 1:38pm

Paul R wrote:Apparently expanded polystyrene, the major structural component in helmets, is an unpopular material to recycle, although it can be done. It seems it's high volume to low mass ratio makes it uneconomical to collect/recycle.

Uneconomical?? Uneconomical??????? What is really going on in people's heads? Are they on another planet???

No offence to you, Paul R

Paul R · Post by **Paul R** » 29 Aug 2007, 2:14pm

No offence to you, Paul R

None taken

those weren't my views merely a reflection of what is currently happening.

hubgearfreak · Post by **hubgearfreak** » 29 Aug 2007, 4:38pm

shifting the tax burden from labour to pollution is the simple answer.

ie to make more expensive what the government profess to discourage, and make cheaper what they profess to encourage.

if only their action fitted their words.

in the meantime, why is no-one producing an unbleached, fairtrade cork hat for us? :lol:

Post by **Mick F** » 29 Aug 2007, 4:50pm

Cork! What a good idea!

Those cork oaks in Spain and Portugal are under-used now that people are coming to their senses and using screw-top wine bottles.

hubgearfreak · Post by **hubgearfreak** » 29 Aug 2007, 5:43pm

Mick F wrote:Cork! What a good idea!

it ain't bad is it....you watch them come to market in a few months, and i'll still be poor

PW · Post by PW » 29 Aug 2007, 7:44pm

I'm all in favour of shutting down the oil industry. However once the item exists there's the problem of how to dispose of it. Most plastics are not biodegradeable, so if the helmet goes to landfill it will remain chemically inert and not add to the level of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere. I'll say the same for plastic packaging, better to bury it than to burn it.

hubgearfreak · Post by **hubgearfreak** » 30 Aug 2007, 3:01pm

PW wrote:. I'll say the same for plastic packaging, better to bury it than to burn it.

i disagree, if it really can't be re-used better to burn it in a specially designed power station, and keep the gas in the ground for a later date