Sledding in Breckenridge is a beloved pastime. It was even immortalized by Chevy Chase’s character in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” zooming down a snowy Breckenridge mountain on a greased-up saucer.
But after the snow starts to melt and the sledding hills shut down, popular mountain towns like Breckenridge end up with a problem: A glut of plastic sleds that were purchased for short-term use and then left behind, often broken.
Nicole Sletta, Fuqua head tech, explains different types of plastics in the Precious Plastic collection area. The Breckenridge program holds collection events and accepts clean, label-free No. 1, 2, 5 and 6 plastics. (Joe Kusumoto, provided by Breck Create)
As the first line of defense to help reduce waste, Breck encourages visitors to rent durable sleds (you can even borrow a “vintage flyer” for $20 a day from Breckenridge Ski & Sport). There’s also a “sled shed” to take and leave sleds as needed at the Runway Sledding Hill.
Nicole Sletta, Fuqua head tech, left, shows a student how to make a carabiner with recycled plastic during a workshop at Breck Create. (Joe Kusumoto, provided by Breck Create)
But Breckenridge artists and makers are also taking a stab at the problem, shredding the plastic from broken sleds and other recyclables and turning the remains into a fluffy, confetti-like material that can then be used to make everything from carabiners to earrings or decorative bowls.
“The community can come in and let their imagination run wild and be part of the solution,” said Drea Edwards, arts education manager with Breck Create, a nonprofit that supports arts in Breckenridge.
One of Breck Create’s core attractions is the collection of historic cabins and buildings that are clustered in the Breckenridge Arts District that play host to classes ranging from ceramics to “hot arts” like silversmithing and welding.
The staff at the campus’ Fuqua Livery Stable, a carefully restored barn that once stabled horses, collects clean, label-free plastic from residents and businesses. The recyclables that come in for Breckenridge’s Precious Plastic program include jugs, hangers, peanut butter lids, clamshells and sleds — lots of broken sleds.
The team started its collection events in the summer of 2022 and has since diverted 5,063 pounds of plastic from the landfill, with plastic sleds making up about 55 percent of the collected items, according to Edwards.
As part of Breck Create’s participation in the global Precious Plastic initiative, makers use open-source equipment like an injection machine that heats up plastic flakes that look like Fruity Pebbles and then injects them in a mold to create custom shapes. It’s like a higher-tech Play-Doh Fun Factory.
According to Precious Plastic’s latest impact report, those participating in the open-source system recycled nearly 600,000 tons of plastic in 107 countries in 2022. Makers around the world are using the open-source shredders, extruders, sheet presses and injectors to create treasures like surfboard racks, rulers, tabletop games, benches, coasters and more.
Through Breck Create’s Precious Plastic program, plastic can be shredded, melted and turned into art. The team uses open-sourced machines and leads classes for visitors and locals. (Joe Kusumoto, provided by Breck Create)
In Breckenridge, locals and visitors can take classes to transform plastic waste into art. Melted sleds and other plastics have been turned into jewelry pieces, holiday ornaments, carabiners and more, said Nicole Sletta, head tech at Fuqua.
“People get some pretty big ideas,” Sletta said. “You’re only limited by your creativity and time.”
One idea that’s gaining more momentum than Clark Griswold on Peak 8: The Breck Create team has been designing and creating thicker, more durable sleds that could be loaned out in the future.
Breck Create’s class schedule includes ones like “Junk to Gems” sessions where you can use an injection machine to fill up jewelry molds with plastic trash, including broken sleds from local sledding hills. Classes are $23 for Breck Create members and $30 for non-members and you can register online in advance.
Precious Plastic classes are held at the Fuqua Livery Stable, 110 E. Washington Ave., Breckenridge. Visit breckcreate.org/calendar for more information.