Summary
Highlights
Aaliyah Bridto introduces her project for sustainable skateboard grip tape, addressing the environmental issue of traditional grip tape ending up in landfills. Her design rethinks the materials used to create a more eco-friendly product.
The sustainable grip tape utilizes two hard-to-recycle waste streams: fiberglass from old swimming pools and bathroom fixtures, and textile offcuts from the fashion industry. These materials are given a second life, resulting in a durable, high-performance grip tape that supports a circular economy.
The manufacturing process involves cleaning and breaking down fiberglass into grit, shredding textile offcuts into a flexible sheet, and then bonding the two together with adhesive. The material is then cut into standard sizes. This process is scalable, starting from pilot batches to larger production runs.
The material's versatility means it could be adapted for anti-slip strips in various industrial and recreational settings. From a market perspective, grip tape is frequently replaced, ensuring a natural repeat market. The growing skateboarding industry, particularly among younger skaters who value sustainability, makes this design commercially promising and environmentally responsible.
In summary, the project transforms challenging waste streams into a practical, sustainable, and culturally relevant product for skateboarding, offering performance, style, and environmental responsibility.