Design Life-Cycle

Olivia Barnett

Professor Cogdell

DES 40A

26 February 2026

Materials in the Eleiko Barbell Life Cycle.

Eleiko is a Swedish company in Halmstad that produces high-quality barbells that are used in Olympic weightlifting events. Their mission is to create durable barbells that are sustainable and last a long time. A key to their success is carefully chosen materials that provide the strength, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance that ensure lasting high-quality performance. This paper examines the raw materials used throughout the life cycle of Ekeiko barbells, including mining, manufacturing, processing, distribution, transportation, use, maintenance, recycling, and waste management. It focuses on a more locally centered production that prioritizes the use of recycled materials.

The primary raw materials used to make an Eleiko barbell are iron, nickel, trivalent chromium, and petroleum. The main material in an Eleiko barbell is steel, which is produced from iron and carbon. Iron is typically mined from open-pit mines or sometimes underground mines. During the extraction process, iron is broken into smaller pieces using grinding media such as amines, starches, and caustic soda (Ferreira). Eleiko sources its iron and other metal materials locally in Sweden. It is one of the European Union’s biggest ore and metal producers, and its largest iron ore producer (SGU). The iron mined in Sweden is very pure, which is used to create clean steel. Clean steel is extremely durable because it has little to no impurities that cause stresses in the material that lead to cracks forming over time (Eleiko). Eleiko also sources its nickel from Swedish mines. Acquiring materials locally, in comparison to sourcing from mines from across the globe, reduces environmental impacts, such as increasing emissions of greenhouse gases that can come from shipping heavy metals. According to Eleiko, close access to iron that is very pure has allowed Sweden to become a world leader in the global production of specialty steels (Eleiko). It is important to note that not all of the steel Eleiko uses is sourced from newly mined iron, as one barbell is made of 97% recycled Swedish steel (Eleiko). Another important raw material is chromium, which is used as a protective plating for the Eleiko barbells. Eleiko uses a safe and stable version of chromium called trivalent chromium or CrIII. CrIII is naturally occurring and is found in Chromite, which is an ore that contains chromium, iron, and oxygen (ICDA). Sweden has a limited supply of chromium, so Eleiko likely sources it from other countries. Eleiko did not state where they source their CrIII. Some potential sources are South Africa and Zimbabwe, because they have the largest chromite reserves. Another possibility is Turkey, due to its proximity to Sweden (ICDA). An additional important raw material used to make the Eleiko barbell, specifically the rubber weights, is petroleum. Petroleum is acquired by drilling into wells in the ground that pull the raw material out. It can be processed into many different materials, like rubber, plastics, or polyester. Sweden imports most of its petroleum from Norway, the United States, the United Kingdom, Guyana, and Nigeria (OEC).

After extraction, these raw materials are processed in Eleiko Steel, DN3 Chrome, and styrene-butadiene rubber, which will later be recycled to manufacture Eleiko barbells. Through a partnership with the company, Ovaos, Eleiko has developed “special recipes” used to manufacture their Eleiko Steel and DN3 Chrome (Eleiko). Eleiko Steel is mostly recycled steel that is tempered and quenched into a martensitic steel, made from iron, chromium, and carbon (Eleiko). The quenching process also requires a lot of water. It arranges the steel’s atoms into crystals that have barriers between each grain that prevent deformation and increase the strength of the steel. DN3 Chrome is also designed to prevent the barbell from getting damaged. It is a protective, corrosion-resistant plating made up of two layers. The nickel layer is 99% of the plating's depth, while trivalent chrome (CrIII) makes the remaining 1% (Eleiko). Trivalent chromium is a harder type of chrome to work with. However, it is non-toxic, posing less of a health and environmental risk compared to other variants of chromium, like hexavalent chromium. While chrome, steel, and nickel are used to make the bar, rubber is used to make the weights. Eleiko’s weights are made of recycled Styrene-Butadiene Rubber or SBR. SBR is produced through the polymerization of styrene and butadiene. Styrene is a secondary material derived from petroleum, while butadiene is a steam-cracked hydrocarbon at a 99% purity level (Stokes). The higher purity level will result in a better consistency. To become SBR, the materials go through a process called emulsion polymerization, where the two are dispersed in water, emulsifiers, and initiators. This process is used globally to make rubber, as it is the most cost-effective method. However, SBR rubber takes a long time to decompose, lasting on the Earth for hundreds of years. Since Eleiko is focused on sustainability, their weights are made from recycled SBR that is ground up to become a new material called crumb rubber.

After manufacturing, the Eleiko barbells are transported across the globe, which uses raw materials like diesel, polyethylene, and wood. To transport the barbells, trucks or ships need to be fueled by diesel. Diesel comes from petroleum. Since barbells and barbell weights are heavy, more diesel is expended to move them. Other materials are used to protect the barbell during transportation. For example, to ensure that the barbells do not rust while in transport, they are placed in vapor corrosion inhibitor bags or VCI bags. A VCI is an orderless and invisible chemical that attaches to the surface of a metal (Zerust). Some VCI’s include anodic, which blocks moisture, and cathodic, which blocks oxygen from causing any chemical reaction that would result in rust (Industrial Degreasers). The bag is made from a high or medium-density polyethylene. Polyethylene is derived from natural gas, like methane, ethane, or propane (Lepoutre). It can also be made from the breaking down of crude oil into gasoline. Polyethylene is an effective material choice for a protective bag because it is resistant to impacts or shocks. It’s also resistant to moisture and chemicals (Shimi). For additional safety, the barbells are also transported in wooden crates. The crates are made of a soft plywood, like spruce or fir (Specialty Shipping Blog). The plywood is designed not to bend and can handle any vibrations or shocks during transportation. 

Once the barbells are transported to the user, other equipment is needed to ensure proper safety, which results in the use of other raw materials. For example, textiles, like polyester or nylon, are used to make different types of protective gear. Weightlifting tape is made from a blend of cotton and spandex (Eleiko). Cotton is sourced from the agricultural crop, while spandex is a synthetic polymer that is 85% polyurethane (Made How). The synthetic polymer is made from two prepolymers produced from petroleum: macroglycol and diisocyanate. Macroglycol has long and flexible molecules giving the nylon its stretch, while diisocyanate is shorter and more rigid, making the fabric strong (Make How). Another protective gear, lifting tape, is made from polyester. The main material used to make polyester is ethylene, which is derived from petroleum. The ethylene undergoes polymerization or a chemical reaction that turns it into polyester (Make How). Bar pads are another example of protective gear. Part of the pad is velcro, which is also made from polyester, that allows it to attach or detach to the barbell. The rest of the bar pad is made out of foam, neoprene, and plastic. Neoprene starts as petroleum that is made into chloroprene. Through emulsion polymerization, the chloroprene is turned into a synthetic polychloroprene (Sewport). The synthetic polychloroprene is a liquid that is baked in an industrial oven and then cut to the desired size. Another raw material, foam, is made out of polyurethane. The liquid material is blown into an expanded size and then hardened to keep its blown-up shape. 

After a long time of use, the barbell can be recycled. The recycling and waste phase of the Eleiko barbell’s life cycle uses different types of raw materials to fuel the process, help break up the recycled materials, or refine the material. In the process of recycling steel, coal and natural gas are used to power the electric arc furnace or EAF that melts the steel (Harvey). The EAF is a more efficient and sustainable option for melting down steel scraps because it uses fewer raw materials compared to other options. A couple of steps later, more coal and oxygen are added in the refining process of the recycled steel, which produces carbon steel (Harvey). Carbon steel can be used to make other materials, like rebar. Rubber that was used in the weights of the barbell can be recycled into crumb rubber. There are two ways to make crumb rubber: ambient mechanical grinding and cryogenic grinding (EcoMENA). Ambient mechanical grinding shreds the old rubber into small pieces, while cryogenic grinding uses liquid nitrogen to break the rubber. Liquid nitrogen can be -80°C to -120°C (EcoMENA). The extreme cold causes the rubber to become brittle, making it easier to break. Cryogenic grinding takes less energy and makes finer, more reusable rubber crumbs. The crumb rubber can then be reused to make new things like asphalt.

In conclusion, the raw materials of the Eleiko barbell were carefully chosen to be strong, last a long time, and be recycled. Eleiko is making more sustainable decisions in comparison to other companies manufacturing steel, chrome, and rubber products. For example, they are sourcing many of their metal materials locally and use a large quantity of recycled materials to produce their barbells. However, a large amount of the materials involved in the Eleiko barbell life cycle is derived from petroleum, an unrenewable resource that emits a large amount of greenhouse gases. Eleiko barbells are a good example of a company that is making important steps towards sustainability, but it is important to note that there is still room for improvement. 

Bibliography

1. EcoMena. “How is Crumb Rubber Produced and What are its Uses.” Ecomena, 

https://www.ecomena.org/crumb-rubber-production-and-uses/. 04 December 2024. Accessed 04 February 2026. 

2. Eleiko. “Forged for Strength: How Swedish Steel Powers the Eleiko Bar.” Eleiko,

https://eleiko.com/en-us/stories/forged-for-strength-how-swedish-steel-powers-the-eleiko

-bar. 

3. Industrial Degreasers. “Comprehensive list of Corrosion Inhibitors” Ecolink. https://ecolink.com/info/list-of-corrosion-inhibitors/#:~:text=Some%20examples%20of%20corrosion%20inhibitors%20include:%20*,and%20alloys%20and%20against%20different%20corrosive%20agents. 

4. Ferreira, Hélio, and Mariangela Garcia Praça Leite. "A Life Cycle Assessment study of iron ore mining." Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 108, 2015, pp. 1081-1091.

5. Harvey, LD Danny. "Iron and steel recycling: Review, conceptual model, irreducible mining 

requirements, and energy implications." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol.138, 2021, pp. 1-14.

ICDA: International Chromium Development Association. “About Chrome.” icdacr, 

https://www.icdacr.com/about-chrome/.

6. Lepoutre, Priscilla. “The Manufacture of Polyethylene.” NZ Institute of Chemistry, 

https://share.google/VVxntWSYf8LlYRx8X. 

7. Made How. “Polyester.” How Products are Made. vol. 2. https://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Polyester.html 

8. Made How. “Spandex.” How Products are Made. vol. 4. https://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Spandex.html

9. “NEW Eleiko Barbells: The Ultimate Deep Dive.” YouTube, uploaded by Eleiko, 2 September 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da1JnkEFyIA 

10. OEC. “Crude Petroleum in Sweden.” Observatory of Economic Complexity. https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/crude-petroleum/reporter/swe. 

11. Sewport Support Team. “What is Neoprene Fabric: Properties, How it's Made and Where.” Sewport. 12 March 2026. https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/neoprene-fabric.

12. SGU: Geological Survey of Sweden. “Swedish Mines.” Geological Survey of Sweden. https://www.sgu.se/en/mineral-resources/swedish-mines/.

13. Shimi. “Medium-Density Polyethylene.” Shobier Shimi. https://shobeirshimi.com/medium-density-polyethylene-mdpe/.

Speciality Shipping Blog. “How Wood Crates are Made.” Las Vegas Crating and Logistics, https://www.lasvegascrating.com/how-wooden-crates-are-made//. 

14. Stokes, Francis. “Understanding the Production Process of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber.” 

15. ChemAnalyst, https://www.chemanalyst.com/NewsAndDeals/NewsDetails/

16. Zerust. “What is VCI? Understanding Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors.” Zerust, 

https://www.zerust.com/faq/what-is-vci/. 

Alyssa McWilliams

Professor Christina Cogdell

DES 40A

March 13, 2026

The Life Cycle of an Eleiko Barbell: Embodied Energy

The Eleiko powerlifting barbell is a high-performance steel product engineered for competition and professional training facilities. Eleiko is a Swedish company originated in 1927 and is known for its high performance strength equipment used in competitions worldwide. Due to being manufactured from high-strength alloy steel and undergoing multiple precision treatments, the Eleiko barbell provides an ideal subject for an energy life cycle analysis. This paper will evaluate the environmental impacts of energy used from raw material extraction through manufacturing, transportation, use, and end-of-life management of the Eleiko barbell. Although the barbell requires significant energy inputs during extraction and manufacturing, its durability and recyclability allows for sustainability advantages and reuse over time. The energy inputs required for steel refining, CNC machining, heat treatment and transport of the Eleiko powerlifting barbell contribute to significant portions of its overall environmental impact. However these impacts also present opportunities for improvement through transitions from fossil fuel based energy and diesel transportation to renewable electricity generation and low carbon transportation options.

The most energy-intensive stage of the barbell’s life cycle occurs during raw material extraction and primary steel production. High-performance barbells require carefully alloyed steel with exceptional tensile strength and elasticity (3). Steel production from iron ore involves mining using rotary blast drills, coke production, electric arc furnaces, and/or blast furnace operations, all of which require large energy inputs. Coke is a high carbon fuel which is obtained from heating coal without oxygen present. The World Steel Association reports that conventional blast furnace steelmaking remains highly energy intensive due to reliance on coal-based coke [4]. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the steel sector accounts for approximately 7–9% of global direct CO₂ emissions, largely because of these fossil-fuel-based heat processes. After the iron ore is extracted from the mines it must be transported to different processing locations using diesel fueled haul trucks. Luckily the Eleiko company is switching electricity driven processes, significantly reducing their fossil fuel inputs. In order to reduce the size of the extracted material, Jaw and Cone crushers and Ball/Sag Mills are used, powered by a significant amount of electric electricity. Because Eleiko barbells must meet strict performance standards, their steel undergoes extensive refinement and alloy control, increasing embodied energy. Higher durability requires more controlled and energy-demanding metallurgical processing due to material composition and microstructural properties affecting the athlete's lift. Thus, the extraction stage contributes the largest share of total lifecycle emissions followed by the manufacturing stage. 

Following steel production, the manufacturing phase adds the second most amount of energy to the product’s energy demand. Eleiko has a multi-stage process when producing their barbells including precision machining, heat treatment, surface finishing, and testing, but first the metal must be melted and shaped [3]. Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) are used to melt the metal requiring an input of about 400-500 kWh of electricity to melt one ton of steel [6]. Heat treatment is particularly energy-intensive, as furnaces must reach extremely high temperatures to achieve tensile strengths exceeding 200,000 PSI [3]. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, industrial heating processes produce a major share of manufacturing energy consumption, especially in metal production [5]. The metal is then put through special casting machines which require an input of electricity to acquire the proper shape. CNC machining is next, which enhances efficiency, improves dimensional accuracy, reduces waste, and helps with consistency [1]. However, the machines require a steady electrical input and technologically advanced equipment that consumes a large energy input. Surface treatments such as chrome plating, finishing, and protective coatings involve chemical baths and additional electricity use. The resulting barbells are then for imperfections by both electric machines and the human hand (mechanical energy). While these steps improve the products life length and prevent erosion, they significantly increase its total embodied energy.

Although often skipped over, transportation and distribution are another layer of products' environmental impact. The raw material must be transported from the extraction site in Finland or Sweden to Halmstad where the Eleiko factory is located by electric rail or diesel trucks [3]. Because a powerlifting barbell is made entirely of dense steel, its weight increases fuel consumption during shipping. International distribution often relies on container ships powered by bunker fuel, a heavy fossil fuel associated with greenhouse gas emissions. Domestic transportation typically depends on diesel trucks, further increasing the product's carbon output. Furthermore, warehousing and distribution centers require electricity for lighting, inventory management, and climate control to maintain. Although transportation emissions are smaller than those from the steel production phase, they remain an important part of the barbell’s total lifecycle impact. Thankfully, unlike many consumer goods, the barbell’s use phase requires no operational energy.

During its use phase, the Eleiko barbell generates no additional environmental impact. Once produced and delivered, the barbell operates solely through human mechanical force. The barbell's durability is a defining feature; Eleiko emphasizes that its bars are designed to withstand decades of repeated stress and use. Maintenance of the product is limited, only requiring human done cleaning (mechanical energy). Extending product lifespan reduces overall material demand and spreads the embodied across a larger product lifespan, decreasing replacement frequency and improving the products sustainability [7]. In contrast to short-lived consumer goods, the high-quality barbell distributes its initial embodied energy across many years of use. This long lifespan significantly improves the sustainability factor of the Eleiko barbell.

At the end of its usable life, recycling offers the greatest opportunity for environmental improvement. Steel is one of the most recyclable materials in the world and can be reprocessed without substantial loss of structural integrity. Research on metal recycling processes show that using recycled scraps avoids many of the processing steps in primary production allowing for the energy use to be dramatically reduced [2]. The steel scraps must be shredded using hammer mills and shear shredders before being cleaned using decoating kilns, preheaters and tumblers. All of these machines require an electrical energy input. The scraps are then ready to be melted and molded into new barbells. Using this method; using recycled metal can reduce energy use by about 60–75% compared to production from virgin ore [2]. Thankfully, according to Eleiko, 97% recycled steel is used when producing their products. If the barbell is not able to be recycled, the energy required to move the barbell to the landfill would contribute to its total embodied energy. While the initial production of a barbell is energy intensive, its recyclability strengthens its long-term environmental viability.

Another factor to take into consideration when discussing the embodied energy of an Eleiko barbell is the source of electricity throughout all stages of the lifecycle. Most of Sweden's electricity (99%) is generated from low carbon energy sources allowing for Sweden having a low carbon electricity grid compared to many other production regions [9]. Majority of this electricity is produced from renewable hydropower and wind power with nuclear also taking up a major portion. Nuclear energy is fossil free but is not considered renewable.

The Eleiko company takes pride in the sustainability of their barbell compared to similar products from different producers. Due to the companies drive to use majority electricity to power their manufacturing their carbon footprint is able to be reduced. That being said, the life-cycle analysis of the Eleiko powerlifting barbell clearly shows that the majority of its environmental impact is from raw material extraction and primary steel manufacturing and overall has a large amount of embodied energy. Nevertheless, the product’s durability and recyclability cause these early-stage impacts to be spread out over time. Although the barbell is not low-impact during production, it is a relatively sustainable investment along with most high-performance steel goods. Continued shifts toward renewable energy in steelmaking and increased use of recycled materials will provide opportunities for reducing the Elieko barbells overall lifecycle emissions moving forward.

Bibliography

[1] Admin. “How Can CNC Machining Increase Production Efficiency? - CNC World.” CNC World, 12 May 2025, cnc-world.co.uk/how-can-cnc-machining-increase-production-efficiency/.

[2] Capuzzi, Stefano, and Giulio Timelli. “Preparation and Melting of Scrap in Aluminum Recycling: A Review.” Metals, vol. 8, no. 4, 8 Apr. 2018, p. 249, https://doi.org/10.3390/met8040249.

[3] “Crafting an Eleiko Barbell | Eleiko.” Https://Eleiko.com, 2026, eleiko.com/en-us/stories/crafting-the-best-barbell. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

[4] Ferreira, Hélio, and Mariangela Garcia Praça Leite. “A Life Cycle Assessment Study of Iron Ore Mining.” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 108, Dec. 2015, pp. 1081–1091, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.05.140. Accessed 31 Jan. 2020.

[5] Emre Ertem, M., and Sabit Gürgen. “Energy Balance Analysis for Erdemir Blast Furnace Number One.” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 26, no. 11-12, Aug. 2006, pp. 1139–1148, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2005.10.044. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

[6] Gajic, Dragoljub, et al. “Modelling of Electrical Energy Consumption in an Electric Arc Furnace Using Artificial Neural Networks.” Energy, vol. 108, Aug. 2016, pp. 132–139, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.07.068.

[7] Nawshad Haque. IRON ORE : Mineralogy, Processing and Environmental Sustainability. S.L., Woodhead Publishing, 2021.

[8] Pimenov, Danil Yu, et al. “State-of-The-Art Review of Energy Consumption in Machining Operations: Challenges and Trends.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 224, 22 July 2025, p. 116073, 

[9] “Sweden Energy Information | Enerdata.” Www.enerdata.net, www.enerdata.net/estore/energy-market/sweden/.

[10] “The Switch from Blast Furnaces to Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) | Nemag.” Nemag.com, 2023, www.nemag.com/dry-bulk-blog/how-switching-to-an-electric-arc-furnace-affects-your-grab-productivity.

Andrew Martinez 

Professor Christina Cogdell 

DES 40A

12 March 2026 

  Eleiko Barbells: Waste and Pollution Produced

Often considered by many gym enthusiasts to be the world’s best weight manufacturer, Eleiko’s barbells are the official barbells of the Olympics, and for good reason. Eleiko is a Swedish-based company that exclusively manufactures gym gear, from weights and storage to apparel; though this paper will aim to assess the life cycle analysis of the Eleiko barbell, namely the waste that is produced during its cycle. Although Eleiko takes great strides to manufacture highly sustainable steel-based weights, the iron ore extraction, steel refining, and transportation, and recycling  processes all combine to reflect the barbell’s waste contributions to the environment. Despite this, Eleiko’s dedication to sustainability presents hope for a potential transition towards more renewable forms of transportation and manufacturing that yield less harmful byproducts. 

The bulk of the pollution that is generated from steel alloy production comes from iron ore extraction and iron ore melting. The first step in steel production is iron ore extraction, which is the process wherein iron is extracted from the ground through the process of open-pit mining, which is when ore is accessed by a procedure of blasting areas with explosives. Given that 2.5 billion tonnes of iron ore are mined each year, open-pit mining is not viewed as sustainable for its long-lasting effects on the landscapes where its explosives are used [3]. This destruction to the landscape often comes in the form of habitat loss, soil erosion, the formation of sinkholes, and deforestation. Furthermore, open-pit mining contributes to global warming as it unleashes greenhouse gas emissions with its high levels of fossil fuel consumption and the fact that stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere during high rates of deforestation. Further, many experts estimate that the mining sector is responsible for about 7% of all global emissions, which is a number that is as low as it is only because of the common practice of steel recycling, which reduces energy consumption and produces fewer emissions [4]. Next, iron is separated from its ore for the purpose of creating usable iron. The most important step in this process is reduction through the use of a blast furnace, where ore is combined with coke and limestone and finally subjected to high temperatures, thus leaving behind molten iron that is then refined to make steel alloys [1]. Moreover, it is commonly understood by the International Energy Agency, or the IEA, that the steel production sector is responsible for almost 10% of global CO₂ emissions, as it is the largest industry user of coal and produces around 2 tons of CO₂ for every ton of steel produced. With optimism, however, the Eleiko company has been dedicated to switching towards an electricity-based process that proves an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional coal-driven methods that have become commonplace and detrimental.

  Further, the Eleiko company has maintained an 80% lower carbon footprint than the global steel industry average for its investments towards electric arc furnaces in the steel refining process [5]. Though the use of electric arc furnaces uses significantly less coal, this stage also leads to health complications among steelworkers and the creation of slag, which is a byproduct of various metals, metal oxides, alumina, and silica that is produced from high temperature iron ore melting. A cohort study conducted in Italy aimed to discover if the use of electric arc furnaces resulted in higher mortality and morbidity rates amongst workers because of possible pollutants such as particulate matter 2.5, which is the type of particulate matter that makes up 40% of the particulate matter in electric arc furnaces. Though limited by its small cohort, the study found that there was an increased rate of mortality by lung cancer and ischemic heart disease amongst exposed workers in comparison to the general population [5]. Moreover, the study also found a statistically significant increase in diabetes and cardiovascular disease in exposed workers. Though limited in size, the study stresses the need for increased research to confirm its findings and higher standards of security for workers around foundry dusts and diffuse emissions. Electric arc furnaces are also responsible for the creation of slag, which can be harmful to the environment due to its potential for water contamination, wherein slag dumps leach metals and raise pH and alkaline levels, thus harming local aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, slag that is created from electric arc furnaces can contain metals that impact air quality and subsequently cause potential for respiratory problems. With optimism, however, recent studies have shown that processed slag can be reintegrated into industrial supply chains as construction materials such as concrete and asphalt. This proves beneficial for reducing environmental toxicity and reducing overall reliance on the primary extraction processes. Moreover, this research on how slag can be utilized to connect industrial productivity and environmental suspicion aligns with three of the UN’s sustainable development goals: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well - Being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) [2]. 

In addition to the waste produced during the extraction and refining processes, the transportation of steel also creates waste. The most initial transportation process of raw materials is the shortest distance and travels from Sweden and Finland to Halmstad through electric rails and trucks. Given that the raw materials are heavy, larger quantities of diesel are expended during their transportation. According to the Department of Ecology, diesel exhaust contains fine particles, nitrogen oxide, and other pollutants that put healthy people at risk for illness. Specifically, diesel is classified by the EPA as a carcinogen and in Washington, around 70% of the cancer risk from pollutants in the air is from diesel exhaust [6]. Once the barbells are made, they are shipped to consumers across the globe via ships, planes, and trucks from Halmstad, Sweden. Transportation equipment emits around 20% of the world’s black carbon and makes up roughly 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions [7]. For instance, in 2020, global air freight emitted an estimated 155 million tonnes of CO₂, while sea freight emitted 657 million tonnes of CO₂, and road freight from trucks emitted over 2.2 billion tonnes of CO₂. This is all because road and sea freight are much more carbon-intensive than air freight via planes. Additionally, during the transportation process, weights are placed in vapor corrosion inhibitor bags, or VCI bags, in order to reduce potential rust. VCI bags are commonly understood to be environmentally safer than other traditional anti-rust methods such as oils and greases because they can be recycled and do not leave any residue. Moreover, unlike other anti-rust coating techniques, VCI bags are non-toxic and when in paper form, can be biodegradable, and when in poly bag form, can be easily recycled. Furthermore, there are no current known inhalation risks to humans when using VCI materials. Lastly, the weights are often transported within larger wooden crates, which are not only fully biodegradable but also serve as extra protection for the weights. 

Once the barbells arrive to consumers, there is no extra waste produced as Eleiko strives to create long-lasting weights. For instance, the barbells are designed and marketed to last a lifetime, which is often shown to be true based on their consumer reviews. This marks a proven stride against planned obsolescence, a business strategy where products are purposefully designed to last a limited amount of time. In recent times, this practice has become a large contributor to environmental damage through accelerated resource depletion and landfill overflows. However, when in use, other materials are needed to ensure the weights are used safely, thus making other, less-sustainable materials necessary and relevant for owning weights. These materials include pads and weightlifting flooring, which is made up of recycled tire rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber, or SBR. These synthetic rubbers are made from petroleum byproducts through polymerization, making them non-renewable dependent and non biodegradable. As rubber ages, its additives seep out, causing chemical leaching and when reused, breaks down, making it harder to reuse for a prolonged period. In light of its resource depleting materials, many manufacturers have begun investing in greener technologies that incorporate bio-based alternatives, such as bio-butadiene and bio-styrene, which aim at reducing reliance on fossil fuels [8]. These bio alternatives are both sustainable plant-based alternatives to their original petroleum-based counterparts and are made primarily from bioethanol and biomass. 

The recycling process of barbells takes the same route as the recycling of any other form of steel, meaning that large amounts of heat are required. This heat is primarily generated from coal and natural gas, which are both non-renewable fossil fuels. Despite this, steel recycling still provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to mining new ore and converting it into steel, as it reduces energy consumption by 60% as compared to regular production [9]. Given that Eleiko utilizes 97% recycled steel in their barbell production, the company is taking the most efficient and environmental approach to steel weight production [6]. Essentially, initial extraction and conversion processes from iron ore to steel are all heavily limited in regard to negative environmental impact, leaving the majority of their construction waste to the recycling process and the 3% that is not recycled. 

Ultimately, Eleiko takes conscious effort from their production to transportation processes to ensure that their weights are sustainable and long-lasting. This has cemented the company as one of the most well-renowned weight manufacturers in the world, thus highlighting the idea that corporations can be economically successful without pivoting towards unsustainable practices and planned obsolescence. Moreover, despite the fact that there is waste produced during the extraction, refining, transportation, and recycling process, Eleiko’s outlook on what their products should represent provides hope that as sustainable technologies develop, the company would adopt them to their production and distribution practices. 

Bibliography

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2. Godbole, Pratik, et al. “A Critical Analysis of Industrial Slags, Their Hazard Potential and Remediation with Reference to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Deleted Journal, vol. 2, no. 1, 23 June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00242-8.

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4. Bjorkman, Samuelsson. “Chapter 6 - Recycling of Steel” Handbook of Recycling, 2014, pp.65-83

5. Cappelletti, Roberto, et al. “Health Status of Male Steel Workers at an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) in Trentino, Italy.” Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, vol. 11, no. 1, 20 Feb. 2016, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-016-0095-8.

6. “Crafting an Eleiko Barbell | Eleiko.” Https://Eleiko.com, 2025, eleiko.com/en-us/stories/crafting-the-best-barbell?redirect=true.

7. “Health Effects from Diesel Pollution - Washington State Department of Ecology.” Ecology.wa.gov, ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/air-quality/vehicle-emissions/diesel-emissions/health-impacts.

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