Designing for circularity: The birth of Salomon’s recyclable ski helmet

. Emily Bodman . Recycle . Reuse . World Recycling
In winter sports innovation, finding a balance between safety and sustainability is often a challenge. However, Salomon has bridged this gap with the Brigade INDEX, the first fully recyclable ski helmet.

In 2019, Salomon’s winter sports team embarked on a mission to improve the environmental impact of its products. The team realized that expanded polystyrene (EPS), a material commonly used in ski helmet cores, was a major environmental concern. Seeing the need for change, the team was inspired to explore innovative alternatives that could offer the same level of protection without compromising the environment.

Instead of using recycled materials as a temporary solution, the team aimed higher: they wanted to create a helmet that could be completely recycled at the end of its life.