Rope recycling!

[starlessriver]

Just seen this on PMI's website in the states.    I wonder if it can be done here too with our rope manufacturers?
Matthew

http://www.pmirope.com/news/recycling

 

[Roger W]

Wonder what they plan to do with it?

This topic did come up earlier this year:

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=9639.msg126634#msg126634

 

[Cave_Troll]

"no ropes that are heavily frayed"

this would suggest they are being reused for something rather than being shredded and recycled.

 

[speleotel]

I vaguely remember a place asking for old ropes to make them into nets for tigers/bears in the zoo to climb on.
Can anyone recall that? :-\

 

[Maj]

When in a climbing shop in France, I noticed they had a large used rope bank for cavers/climbers to dispose of their old ropes in.
Millet (not Millets) collect old rope and occasionally offer discount on new rope, they then pass the rope on to Rhodia who  recycle the polyamide and manufacture plastic items such as buckles, coat hangers and probably automotive parts/trim.

http://www.rhodia.com/en/search/global-search.tcm?keywords=recycling

http://www.millet.fr/discover-millet/events/

"no ropes that are heavily frayed"

this would suggest they are being reused for something rather than being shredded and recycled.

It may be that the process for removing the sheath can't cope with a badly damaged or frayed sheath.
Minimum length required, may also be due to the equipment being used.

 

[nickwilliams]

To expand a bit on Maj's comment, one of the major problems with recycling plastics is contamination. It's easy to re-cycle pure, clean plastic of a particular polymer and grade but as soon as the plastic becomes mixed with other polymers or grades, or is contaminated with other substances, it becomes a lot less useful (and valuable). I suspect that the stipulation to avoid frayed ropes may be to do with this being a strong indicator for contamination.

Nick.

 

[braveduck]

I recycle large quantities of our club ropes for digging bucket handles and boulder nets.
See avatar.

 

[MikeClark]

Just seen this on PMI's website in the states. I wonder if it can be done here too with our rope manufacturers?
Matthew

http://www.pmirope.com/news/recycling

This is very old now, but there's been an update in this topic that may be of interest.
Lots of UK Rope manufacturers are now recycling rope: English Braids, Marlow & Southern Ropes are now all doing it - Better late than never.

I found lots of interesting information on the topic on this article: How to Recycle Rope

Hopefully this helps a few of you out! I will be sending my old ropes away.

 

[Pitlamp]

It's often better to reuse than to recycle.

Farmers often appreciate being offered retired caving rope and it's good PR too.

 

[Ian Ball]

Anywhere that can act as a dales collection hub for farmer destined rope? I've a few metres I'd throw put that way.

 

[IanWalker]

Harrogate Climbing Wall have a recycling collection bin - https://parthianclimbing.com/harrogate/

Provided by Green Peak Recycling - http://greenpeakgear.org/about/recycling/

They have collection points in York, Kendal, Manchester and elsewhere

They say static rope cannot currently be recycled
"Ropes – dynamic climbing ropes are made from nylon 6 (which can be reprocessed) while static ropes are made from nylon 6.6 (which cannot currently be recycled)"

But that could be an old webpage so I have emailed them to see if this is still the case

They accept carabiners and other stuff that cavers might be retiring.

Ropes
Slings and tapes
Helmets
Harnesses
Carabiners
Lead rack

Some of their partner organisations make some really nice products!

Bags and Accessories Handmade in Sheffield from Retired Climbing Gear

Hand made, high quality products designed and made in Sheffield, UK. Scavenger upcycle rock climbing gear, bike components and other waste materials.

www.madebyscavenger.com