Board Builder Portal

With more than 50,000 ECOBOARDs built every year by 250+ approved ECOBOARD builders worldwide, it’s easy to see that the demand for more sustainable surf crafts is growing, and the process of getting started is easier than ever. Receiving an official endorsement from SIMA (the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association) in 2013, the ECOBOARD Project uses science-based and transparent criteria to evaluate the sustainability of the manufacturing materials used.

Sustainable Surf established the ECOBARD project as the first independent 3rd party consumer-facing “eco-label” for boards and leverages their strong media presence to foster communication and sustainability commitments between board builders and their customers.

Build Level 1 Boards

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Sign-up On The ECOBOARD Website To Become a Builder

To get started building Level One ECOBOARDS (making Gold Level ECOBOARDS requires some further commitments – see below). We’ll get in touch once we hear from you to complete your unique listing on our site. The more info you give us – the better your listing.

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Source Qualified Materials

Make sure the materials you are using are included on our Qualified Materials list. Some examples of ECOBOARD Level One constructions include:

  • Qualified resin + any non-qualified core
  • Qualified core + any non-qualified resin
  • Qualified core + Qualified resin
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Get Your Certification Logos

We designate a number of ECOBOARD logos for you to use. There’s a minimum $1 (USD) fee per board designated as an ECOBOARD.

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Use Logos On Qualifying Boards

You start applying the ECOBOARD logo on any qualifying boards moving forward.

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Send Us Pics and Get Noticed

You send us interesting pics and updates so that we can promote your brand online and beyond.

Build Gold Level Boards

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

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Undergo a “sustainability audit” with Sustainable Surf – identifying key sustainability opportunities. Assessments for smaller organizations will generally involve a telephone interview. Periodic updates should also be completed following the initial audit;

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Identify opportunities to:

  • Reduce waste in the board building process – generally by developing a strategy with Sustainable Surf’s support.
  • Improve energy efficiency and find ways to save energy and/or attempt to use renewable energy and/or carbon offsets.
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Demonstrate efforts to improve worker health and safety, and minimize exposure to hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals.

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Use Qualified Materials

  • One Gold Level designated material and one other Qualified Material of any level (resin and core)

*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

Qualified Materials

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:

Qualified Resins

         
Company Product Bio-Carbon Content in the fully cured resin* Level One Qualifying Gold Level Qualifying
         
Fairpoxy Fairpoxy Laminating Resin

27%

level 1 gold
Entropy Resins Super Sap ONE

30%

level 1 gold
Entropy Resins Super Sap CLR

29%

level 1 gold
Entropy Resins Super Sap BRT

30%

level 1 gold
         
Sicomin

Greenpoxy33  + SD 4999 Hardener

26%

level 1 gold
Sicomin Surf Clear EVO + SD EVO Medium

29%

level 1 gold
Sicomin SR GreenPoxy56 + SD Surf Clear

35%

level 1 gold
Sicomin SR GreenPoxy56 + SD GP 505V2

52%

level 1 gold
Sicomin GreenPoxy Foaming Resin

37%

level 1 gold
         
Green Room Resin BCE Resin + any standard Green Room hardener

19%

level 1  
         
ATL Composites KINETIX® Eco-X R135

26%

level 1  
ATL Composites KINETIX® Eco-X R130

20%

level 1  
         
Pro Link Materials Bio-Link

20%

level 1  
         
Advanced Resin Systems

Ghost Epoxy

27%

level 1  
         
Resoltech

1070 ECO

 31%

level 1  
         
Resin Research

Bio Science 21

 21%

level 1  
         
QR Polymers

BLUE FIN 20

 23%

level 1  
QR Polymers

BLUE FIN A25

 29%

level 1 gold
         
Nanopoxy

N12 Resin + N085 Hardener, Biobased

 54%

level 1 gold

Qualified Cores

         
Company Product Bio-Carbon / Recycled / Wood Content Level One Qualifying Gold Level Qualifying
         
Polyola PU EcoBlank 100% recyclable polyurethane core made from recycled post-industrial polyol + MDI based isocyanate level 1
         
Govan Projects PU Bioblank 48% bio-carbon content

100% biodegradable polyurethane type core with up to 70% of components derived from plants.
level 1
BioBrand Foam PU Bioblank 48% bio-carbon content

100% biodegradable polyurethane type core with up to 70% of components derived from plants.
level 1
         
Grow Blanks Sisal Agave Blank 100% organic and biodegradable alternative to traditional surfboard foam. level 1 gold
         
Marko Foam Enviro-Foam 100% recyclable, tight bead fusion, high performance expanded polystyrene core with 25% recycled content level 1  
         
ECORE e.CORE 25R 100% recyclable, high performance expanded polystyrene core with 25% recycled content level 1  
         
Approved ECOBOARD builders Sustainably grown, reclaimed and/or recycled wood (timber)* Constituting min 50% of finished core by weight* level 1  
Approved ECOBOARD builders Sustainably grown, reclaimed and/or recycled wood (timber) as the entire/complete structure of a board, requiring little to no resin and/or fibreglass in its manufacture (Such as a traditional alaia made from FSC Certified paulownia)* Constituting approx. 100% of finished board by weight* level 1 gold

Qualified Criteria

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

Gold Level

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

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.

Large Brands and OEM Production

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:

1.

A comprehensive audit of the board manufacturing site that is specific to the boards of the brand in question. This will include the review of:

  • 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

2.

A comprehensive review of the broader sustainability programs that the brand is implementing. This may include:

  • 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

Best Practices

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.

There are six categories of best practices:

Built with passion

Better materials

Ocean Friendly

The surf community is changing

People want to know that the boards they are purchasing are made with more sustainable materials, by manufacturers that care about their impact on the environment and the people making those boards.

Featured Blog Posts

  • Bizia Surf: ESS19

    Bizia Surf: ESS19

    From the Forest to the Ocean with Bizia Surf By Kailani Wetherell for Sustainable Surf, 25 July 2024.  When I sat at Haleiwa Joe’s and met McKenna Conforti last October, little did I know that it would spark the beginning of a long awaited partnership between the ECOBOARD Project and Bizia Surf. A few drinks…

  • Apple: ESS13

    Apple: ESS13

    An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away… How a brother duo created a bustling team building boards for a better tomorrow. All out of an apple orchard.   By Kailani Wetherell for Sustainable Surf, 29 May 2024. They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away…and with Appletree boards, you’re riding sustainably each…

  • EcoByRy: ESS09

    EcoByRy: ESS09

    Ecoboard Shaper Highlight 009: Breaking Barriers, Shaping Waves: An Earth-Conscious Journey with ECObyRy by Kailani Wetherell for Sustainable Surf. 21 March 2024. We had the pleasure of getting to sit down and talk with Ryan Harris of Ryan Harris Shapes, a leading ECOBOARD builder based in the South Bay, Los Angeles. As a pioneer of…