Climbing Ropes—Environmental Hotspots in Their Life Cycle and Potentials for Optimization

Sebastian Bradford, Reto Rupf and Matthias Stucki
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Sebastian Bradford: Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland
Reto Rupf: Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland
Matthias Stucki: Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: This paper examines the environmental impacts of climbing ropes using life cycle assessment (LCA). An online survey was conducted to evaluate users’ behaviour and the potential of an open loop recycling project for old ropes. The results of the LCA study show that the production of the base material, polyamide 6, has, at 50%, the highest impact on the total global warming potential of 46.6 kg CO 2 -eq. per climbing rope and on most of the other environmental issues. At present, there is no practical alternative for a base material. However, the survey indicated a high willingness of climbers to return their ropes for the purpose of recycling. If all old ropes stored at home or being used for non-climbing purposes in Switzerland were to be recycled, 1170 t CO 2 -eq. could be saved by substituting primary material and avoiding waste incineration.

Keywords: climbing rope; polyamide; life cycle assessment; LCA; greenhouse gas emissions; user behaviour; mountaineering; outdoor activities; product development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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