Despite the energy crisis and climate change: in some places in Tyrol you can always “skate”. Plastic plates make this possible. Electricity and water consumption is minimal. But there is also criticism of this underground. For the WWF, ‘plastic ice cream’ is even an ‘environmental sin’.
Gliding over the ice on frozen lakes or ponds – there is hardly a better leisure activity in the winter months. But so far this year’s high temperatures have proved to be a drag on the fun. And the operators of ice rinks have also stopped laughing because of the energy crisis. Some only offer their range to a limited extent.
Attractions for Advent market visitors
However, some communities don’t want to miss out on the slippery fun and have looked around for energy-saving and weatherproof alternatives. For example, there is an ice rink for the first time in the old city park of Hall, which is not actually one: because children in particular do not sharpen their skates over frozen water, but over a surface of 240 square meters made of plastic plates.
“We were looking for attractions for our Advent market visitors,” explains Mayor Christian Margreiter. And also in Stumm in the Zillertal, many people enjoyed themselves during the Christmas holidays on a “climate-neutral ice rink”.
“Even more learning effect”
Ice skating and ice hockey games on plastic are nothing new in Tyrol. “Our motivation was to offer ice hockey as a sport all year round,” explains Ronald Schwab, chairman of the ice hockey club in Götzens, about the purchase seven years ago. You don’t need special skates. “The learning effect is even greater, because you have to walk well in order to slide,” says Schwab, who is responsible for the sale of the plastic panels from the Netherlands, particularly in Austria and southern Germany.
According to the WWF, microplastics end up in nature
The WWF disagrees that the ‘plastic ice surfaces’, which have a ‘lifetime’ of about ten years, are particularly durable. “The sharp spurs grind away fine plastic threads. The microplastics that are released in this way end up in the soil, air and sea and wreak havoc there.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
