WHO WE ARE
Welcome to Skating Beyond! We are Tanya and Kaja, two teenage competitive synchronized figure skaters and we are on a mission!
Over the years as figure skaters, we have noticed that although we replace our figure skates regularly, there are no readily available options for keeping the used skates out of landfills. Our conversations with local rink managers and responses to our nationwide survey indicate this is an unmet need in the figure skating community across the entire United States.
In addition, ice skating can be a very expensive sport due to the equipment needed to participate. This cost may be a barrier to some who want to try the sport but do not have the resources to purchase the necessary equipment. As a result, we have also identified the need for access to no-cost or low-cost ice skates to make our sport more accessible.
Although our boots and blades may no longer be suitable for competitive skating, many still have life left in them for less intense levels of skating. Even if the skates can no longer be used for any form of ice skating, it would still make sense to find ways to keep these materials out of the landfills. This is where we come in!
WHAT WE DO
Together, we are pursuing multiple avenues for the reuse and recycling of old figure skates and their components to keep them out of our landfills and to help supply equipment to learn to skate and adaptive skating programs. If we can keep skates out of landfills AND help share them with those who may not otherwise be able to access the sport, we can help address two issues at once!
REUSE
We have operationalized multiple options for reusing old skates. In addition, we are now also offering options for the reuse of certain materials that are the by-product of the skate manufacturing process.
Donating used skates
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We have partnered with adaptive skating programs and learn-to-skate programs to donate high quality used skates from our inventory, thus removing the barrier of the expense for equipment.
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We provide used skates nationwide to skaters via an online platform.
Turning used skates into decor
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This past holiday season, we hosted pop-ups where we shared holiday-themed decorations made from used figure skating boots with individuals who made a minimum donation to a skating-related non-profit whose mission is focused on expanding access to our sport.
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This upcoming summer, we will be hosting skate decorating workshops at local figure skating summer camps.
Keeping skate manufacturing materials out of landfills
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We have donated over 100 pounds of leather scraps from the boot manufacturing process to non-profits focused on arts and crafts.
RECYCLING
After pursuing many different leads, we have options for separately recycling used figure skating blades and used figure skating boots that have no remaining life left. While recycling used blades is relatively straightforward, we had more difficulty locating an outlet for boot recycling given the nature of the component materials. Importantly, the provider of boot recycling guarantees that boots are, in fact, recycled and component materials do not make their way into landfills.
EDUCATION
We believe that fostering a sustainable future for our sport starts with engaging and educating the next generation of athletes. By combining creative hands-on projects with scientific exploration, we help skaters understand their environmental impact and the mechanics of their performance.
Sustainability workshops
In our sustainability workshops, skaters explore the circular economy firsthand by repurposing retired figure skates into unique, floral-themed home decor. Building on the success of last year’s summer camp sessions, this program teaches young athletes about environmental stewardship through artistic expression.
Skating through Science workshops
In our 'Skating through Science' workshops, skaters engage in hands-on activities that explore the physics of spinning, the biology of athletic movement, and the environmental impact of rinks. These interactive modules allow STEM concepts to come to life, helping skaters connect classroom learning to their experiences on the ice.