Getting Green With Winter Sports Gear In Westford

Sports equipment can get expensive.  Especially sports like skiing and snowboarding.  Not only are these items hard on your wallet, they can be hard on the environment.  Everything you buy comes with an environmental price tag.  Resources were used to harvest the raw materials, more resources used to actually construct the equipment, harmful chemicals could be involved in the production, more resources used to get it to the store, etc. 

I certainly don’t want to put a downer on outdoor sporting activities.  They are great! They get people interested in protecting the environment and can use less energy than other activities.   So how do you go easy on Mother Nature and your wallet?

Just remember your 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Reduce

Do you need every little gadget and piece of equipment to enjoy your sport? Probably not.  Reduce what you buy.  Buying quality products that will last will help reduce how often you need to replace your gear.

Reuse

Buy used equipment.  You can get great deals on used equipment.  This is a good option for children as they will outgrow it quickly.  You can also make a few dollars selling your outgrown equipment at some of the following.

• Yard Sales: Finding the perfect set of skiis may be a long shot at a yard sale, but goggles, a boot bag, or snow pants are probably pretty easy to find.
• R.J. Bradleys: This Westford shop buys, sells, and leases new/used equipment.  This option has worked out great with my children. 
• Boy Scout Troop 159 Winter Sporting Goods Sale:  This is the 15th annual event where you can sell and/or buy used equipment.  It is being held on Nov. 5 at The . 
• The Gate City Figure Skating Club Skate Swap: Gently used skating dresses and skates are available for purchase Oct. 26 3:30 – 6pm and Saturday Oct 29 8am – 11am at Conway Arena.  If you have items to sell, you can drop off Oct. 25 from 10am – 11:30am or 3:30 – 5pm. 

Recycle

Once your equipment is no longer fit to use, try to find another use for it.

Ski Chair recycles skis, snowboards, water skis, hockey sticks, wakeboards, golf clubs, and baseball bats into chairs, benches, wine racks, coat racks and more. You can drop off your old equipment at their Millbury, MA location only 48 minutes from Westford.

Green Mountain Ski Furniture will recycle old skis, poles or snowboards in any condition to create chairs, benches, tables and art. They are located in Waterbury Center, Vermont, which makes drop off a little more difficult. You can ship your items or call to see if you can arrange a pick up.