BusinessApril 6, 2026

Plastic Ice and the Trade‑offs of Synthetic Rinks

Easy Medium Hard

② Start Lesson

Key Vocabulary

panel/ˈpænəl/

a flat piece used to make the rink surface

"They put a plastic panel on the floor."

refrigeration/rɪˌfrɪdʒəˈreɪʃən/

the use of machines to make things cold

"The rink does not need refrigeration."

microplastics/ˌmaɪkroʊˈplæstɪks/

very small pieces of plastic

"Skates can make microplastics on plastic ice."

Listening

Plastic Ice and the Trade‑offs of Synthetic Rinks

Some hockey rinks now use plastic ice made of interlocking plastic panels. These panels let people skate without freezing water or using big refrigerators. Companies like Glice and Xtraice make these panels for rinks in warm places and for community events.

People like plastic rinks because they save energy and water. But some environmentalists worry about small plastic bits called microplastics that can come off the surface when skates cut it. Makers say they improved materials to reduce this abrasion. Rink staff can clean the surface and collect the shavings. The choice is a trade off: less energy use, but new waste issues to manage.

105 words

Quiz

1. What are the rinks made of?

2. Name one company that makes these panels.

3. What small waste do environmentalists worry about?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you like skating? Have you ever skated on real ice or plastic ice?

Have you ever seen a winter event in your town? What did you like about it?

What do you think about saving energy at a rink if it means new plastic waste?