Kids scooters made from recycled fishing nets
The Swiss scooter pioneer, Micro Mobility Systems, is launching a sustainable children's scooter line that uses recycled ocean plastic. The new Micro ECO Kids Scooters will be available in over 80 countries from January 2021.
Around 10 percent of the plastic waste in the oceans comes from fishing. Every year, an estimated 640,000 tons of nets, ropes and other equipment are left behind in the oceans. The new Micro ECO Kids Scooters are made from part of this waste, which is collected in landfills and then recycled.
The new ECO range consists of two different models, the Mini Micro Deluxe ECO for children from 2 - 5 years and the Maxi Micro Deluxe ECO, for children from 5 years and older. These are based on the popular Mini & Maxi Micro Deluxe models, which have already been sold millions of times worldwide and have won several awards. The patented weight shifting steering system promotes balance and motor skills, the handlebar can be optimally adjusted to the size of the kids, and the non-slip silicone footboard provides support and safety during the ride.
The material used for the Micro ECO Kids Scooters are not so-called "ghost nets", which are fished out of the sea, but rather discarded and obsolete fishing gear, ropes, trawl nets, etc. that have been used for fishing worldwide and would have landed in the sea if they had not been disposed of in the appropriate dumps. The "ocean plastic" problem is being tackled at its root by preventive measures, by stopping the constant entry of more plastic waste into the waters.
«The ECO product line is another step towards sustainability for Micro. Not only have we been selling products for more than 20 years which can be passed on through generations due to their longevity, but we have also set ourselves ambitious sustainability goals, which we will successively expand,» says Micro founder and CEO Wim Ouboter.
The use of «green plastic» means a reduction of not only marine pollution and the loss of valuable resources but also of the ecological footprint by up to 82% CO2 emissions compared to new plastic.
More information can be found here.
Micro's contribution to sustainability
From children's scooters to the urban mobility revolution
What began as a huge boom in the 1990s is now part of everyday mobility for young and old alike. The Micro Scooter has established itself from a hype product to a daily companion for all age groups.
At Micro, innovation is part of our DNA. Since our founding, we have been committed to making tomorrow’s mobility more practical and eco-friendly through high-quality products with a simple and timeless design, while keeping the fun factor alive. Our goal is to promote a “better urban lifestyle” and we offer over 50 different mobility products for children, teenagers, and adults, making us the world market leader in the premium segment. Our brand spectrum ranges from the popular children’s scooter to stylish electric scooters and our latest innovation, the electric city car Microlino. Despite the different segments, all Micro products have one thing in common: they are sustainable, space-saving and perfect for short distances. We recognize that corporate sustainability has evolved beyond simply protecting the environment. Today, businesses are evaluated holistically, and the ESG (environmental, social, and governance) framework has emerged as a means of assessing sustainability.
ESG encompasses three key areas:
Environment
This includes issues such as CO2 emissions, environmental pollution or destruction, and energy efficiency.
Social
This aspect covers topics relating to occupational health and safety, corporate social responsibility, and social commitment.
Governance
This area focuses on the structures and processes of corporate management, including values, transparency, and supply chain management.
At Micro, we are committed to making a positive impact in all areas in which we operate. Our ESG report reflects this commitment and is continually updated with relevant metrics that align with our evolving goals. In all our efforts to promote sustainable business practices, we place a high value on transparency and accountability.
Read the full Micro Sustainable Impact Report 2023 here!
„Innovation, modernity, openness, sustainability, and fairness are core values that we cherish at all times. We make sure to integrate these principles into every aspect of our business, from selecting materials for our products to external and internal sales processes, as well as being an employer and part of society. Our sustainability initiatives and activities are not only implemented on a global level, but we also take pride in launching numerous initiatives and setting positive examples locally. We understand that perfection is a journey, not a destination. But we are confident that we are on the right track, and we strive every day to do better. With our commitment to providing high-quality and sustainable mobility solutions, we hope to make a valuable contribution to a better urban lifestyle.“
Wim Ouboter, CEO & Founder