Elite takes big steps towards carbon neutral with new bottles and cages

Sustainability and going carbon neutral are big topics in aspect every of life now, and Elite is trying to do its part over the next few years by refining its material use and production techniques to eventually become a carbon neutral company. 

The first step in that process is new bottles and cages, each of which are made from different materials that make them significantly more eco-friendly - or 'Bio' as Elite calls it - than before. 

The Jet is the first bottle to get a new design, and a new name in Jet Green, and moves from being constructed out of biodefgradeable plastic material to being made entirely from a plant-origin bioplastic that comes from sugar cane. That means no more petroleum-based plastic which is far better for the environment and also reduces the amount of CO2 generated in the construction of every 1000 bottles by 160kg. The sugar cane used in the bottles is also sourced from sustainable farming, so Elite is doing its part to make sure every part of the process meets their new goal. 

The construction of the new cages is just as interesting, as the new Cannibal XC cage is now made from 62.5% bio-based plastic materials, in this instance produced through fermentation from castor oil. It's not quite completely sustainably sourced yet, but is a big step along the way. Similarly is the Prism side-entry cage, which is now 67.4% recycled fibres - in this case fibres sourced pre-consumer from the textile industry - meaning less overall waste and a significantly reduced environmental impact. The bio Cannibal cage is currently only availble in green, and the Prism in black with green highlights. The Prism is also available for right- or left-hand entry, depending on your preference. 

Alongside these new bottles, Elite has another very interesting product on the way as well: the Neto bottle sterilizer. It's exactly what you'd expect: a smart, cheap way to sterilize your bike bottles before you use them/in between uses so they're ready for the next ride. It works in a very similar way to a baby bottle sterilizer, you fill the plastic part up to the line with water, put the cap and mouthpiece in the bottom, attach the bottle at the top and stick the whole lot in the microwave for one minute. That simple process kills 99.9% of bacteria in or on the bottle and together with regular cleaning will definitely help keep your bottles lasting longer, which is another step on the road to sustainability. Given that bottles dont just hold water as lots of people like riding with energy drinks too, it's easy for bacteria or mould to build up

Alongside these new bottles, Elite has another very interesting product on the way as well: the Neto bottle sterilizer. It's exactly what you'd expect: a smart, cheap way to sterilize your bike bottles before you use them/in between uses so they're ready for the next ride. It works in a very similar way to a baby bottle sterilizer, you fill the plastic part up to the line with water, put the cap and mouthpiece in the bottom, attach the bottle at the top and stick the whole lot in the microwave for one minute. That simple process kills 99.9% of bacteria in or on the bottle and together with regular cleaning will definitely help keep your bottles lasting longer, which is another step on the road to sustainability. Given that bottles dont just hold water as lots of people like riding with energy drinks too, it's easy for bacteria or mould to build up and if you drink that stuff, well, you really dont want to find out...

Jet Green bottles are in stock now, and the Netos are arriving next week with the cages coming soon. If this has made you Elite-curious then you're in luck as we have the complete range - including the best turbo trainers and accessories on the market - all right here on Freewheel.