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For those looking to go above and beyond and drive the progression of more sustainable boards there’s ECOBOARD Gold Level designation. Informed by Sustainable Surf’s ECOBOARD lifecycle study, ECOBOARD Gold Level rewards the top sustainable surfboards and surfboard producers – those with the greatest environmental impact reduction.

In addition to being Approved as an ECOBOARD builder, to receive validation to build Gold Level ECOBOARDS an organization must*:

*Note that for large brands, and those using OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) production, to become Approved to sell boards carrying the ECOBOARD Level One and Gold Level logo, additional verification is required (see tab below). The program also requires an Annual Program fee for large brands and/or those using OEM production in addition to the minimum $1 (USD) fee per board designated as an ECOBOARD

For more information on how to receive ECOBOARD Gold Level Validation check the ECOBOARD Project Program Guidelines or contact us.

The ECOBOARD Project Verifies the use of Qualified Materials in boards against a set of qualifying sustainability criteria. This is the most practical and effective method to ensure that any board bearing the ECOBOARD Gold Label or Level One label: has a measurably reduced carbon footprint, uses renewable, recycled and/or up-cycled material inputs, and uses materials and processes that reduce toxicity during manufacturing.

Sustainable Surf will conduct random sampling of qualified materials. This will likely involve, cured resin/foam samples being requested from surfboard builders, comparative analysis of recycled materials, and requests for supply chain information. Sustainable Surf will discuss costs to cover this sampling process with each brand. These costs will ultimately vary dependent on the material in questions and the number of random audits undertaken.

Sustainable Surf currently qualifies board building materials from the following companies:

Level One

ECOBOARD Level One makes it easy for any board builder to get started making ECOBOARDS. By using one Qualified Material (core or resin), a board will have a significant reduction in environmental footprint without affecting performance, durability, or quality.

A Qualified Material must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Plant-based, low to zero VOC resin with at least 19% bio-carbon content in the fully cured resin (the sum of all component parts)
• Core with at least 25% recycled or plant-based content, or wood constituting at least 50% of the core by weight

Further information about getting listed as a Qualified Material can be found in the ECOBOARD Project Program Guidelines.

Gold Level

Informed by Sustainable Surf’s ECOBOARD lifecycle assessment, ECOBOARD Gold Level rewards the top sustainable surfboards and surfboard producers – those with the greatest environmental impact reduction.

To qualify as a material specific to the Gold Level designation, a material must meet the following requirements:

• Has been the subject of a lifecycle assessment (LCA) that has been undertaken by an independent third party LCA practitioner. The LCA should incorporate impact indicators relevant to the ECOBOARD Project’s focus areas – carbon footprint, renewable/recycled/up-cycled inputs and reduced toxicity
• Plant-based, low to zero VOC resin with at least 25% bio-carbon content and has received USDA Bio-Preferred certification for the fully cured resin (the sum of all component parts)
• Core with at least 25% recycled or plant-based content, or wood constituting at least 50% of the core by weight
• Demonstrate that qualifying material inputs are sourced from a sustainably managed supply chain

Wooden boards that require little to no resin and/or fiberglass in their manufacture (e.g. an alaia made from FSC Certified paulownia), produced by manufacturers that have been audited and have met the requirements of the Gold Level designation, also qualify as Gold Level boards.

Further information about getting listed as a Qualified Material specific to the Gold Level designation can be found in the ECOBOARD Project Program Guidelines.

Qualified Materials are currently focused on resins and cores (blanks). Our research shows that these two elements can provide the greatest environmental and worker health benefits. Of course, we encourage all sustainability improvements in boards and are always stoked to hear from people supplying and using new innovations in material sustainability.

Want to know more? Contact us here.

Verification Audit Process

For large brands and those using OEM production to become Approved to sell boards carrying the ECOBOARD Project label, the following must be completed:

• The use and management of Qualified Materials and lams/logos
• Systems to manage waste and recycling
• Energy use and renewable energy inputs
• Systems to manage worker health and safety
• Systems and processes that the brand has in place to ensure Qualified Materials are used on boards carrying the ECOBOARD Project label
• The brand’s approach to developing artwork for boards and specifying the use of the ECOBOARD Project label
• How the brand markets and communicates the environmental qualities of boards carrying the ECOBOARD Project label

• Sustainability initiatives for products beyond surfboards (i.e. paddles, fins, board-bags, clothing);
• Activities to manage and mitigate carbon emissions (i.e. procuring renewable energy, involvement in a carbon offset program);
• Support of environmental not for profits;
• Engagement with customers and the community regarding sustainability;
• Take-back and recycling programs for boards at end of life.

The results of the audit are confidential. Each brand will be provided a comprehensive audit report, which includes key results, observations and recommendations. Sustainable Surf will work with each brand to communicate key sustainability-related out-takes via the ECOBOARD Project website and other forums.

This information also allows Sustainable Surf and each brand to manage communications about boards carrying the ECOBOARD Project label.

Use of the ECOBOARD Project logo

The program requires all large brands to pay an Annual Program Fee ($2,500) and a minimum $1 (USD) fee per board designated as an ECOBOARD.

Sustainable Surf will work with each brand to develop a clear strategy for the use of the ECOBOARD Project label on boards. Generally, this will include a gradual ‘roll-out’ specific to the boards and construction methods in question.

Communications regarding the brand’s involvement in the ECOBOARD Project should also be discussed with Sustainable Surf.

Annual Program Fee

In addition to a fee per board designated as an ECOBOARD, large brands are required to pay an Annual Program Fee of $2,500. This contribution helps to fund:

• An annual audit as per the ECOBOARD Project program requirements
• Direct support and consultation from Sustainable Surf relating to surfboard sustainability
• Maintenance of a detailed listing on the ECOBOARD Project site

For more information check the ECOBOARD Project Program Guidelines

Best Practice Guide for Board Builders

This page collects the best practices we have been able to find for more sustainable surfboard production. This includes practices that save money, reduce unnecessary waste, and in general are better for the environment and the people who build boards.

These guidelines are based in large part from the Ecoboard Lifecycle Analysis, that we conducted in 2016. Detailed board building data was collected by Channel Islands Surfboards and Firewire Surfboards, which identified some key areas in which waste and energy use can be reduced. Reducing waste and energy use makes common sense and will reduce the environmental footprint of a board regardless of the materials that are used.

There are six categories of best practices:

1. Waste generated during board building
2. Energy used to build a board
3. Materials used to build a board
4. Health and safety of workers that build a board
5. Packaging of boards for shipping
6. Climate Change impact from building a board