Title: An eco-efficiency analysis of the snowboard manufacturing industry

Authors: Justin M. Walsh, Gangaram Singh

Addresses: College of Business Administration, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA. ' Department of Management, College of Business Administration, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA

Abstract: This paper examines the eco-efficiency of the snowboard manufacturing industry and how it relates to global warming, increasing climactic volatility and reductions in snowfall worldwide. Our data, and subsequent analysis, illustrate the current eco-efficiency activity within a sample group of snowboard brands headquartered throughout North America and Europe. Though the sample group exhibited an overall eco-efficiency activity level of |informed|, the primary data show an industry wide need for standardisation and implementation of comprehensive environmental management systems and all-encompassing life-cycle assessments. With the ultimate goal of industry wide sustainable development and cradle-to-cradle design, we conclude with a list of current and prospective best practices throughout the global snow sports industry.

Keywords: eco-efficiency; snowboard manufacture; sustainable development; snow sports; climate change; snowboarding; sustainability; global warming; environmental management systems; EMS; life cycle assessment; LCA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2009.028907

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2009 Vol.1 No.4, pp.364 - 382

Published online: 11 Oct 2009 *

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