- By Claire Marshall and Malcolm Prior
- ` News Climate and Science
25 minutes ago
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Lucy Campbell calls for a more sustainable industry
A top British surfer has criticized her sport for relying on boards and wetsuits mass-produced from petrochemicals that create tons of waste every year.
Seven-time British women’s champion Lucy Campbell told the ` the top brands need to “change”.
Despite surfing’s eco-friendly reputation, it uses plastic boards coated in toxic resins and non-biodegradable wetsuits.
The industry says it is developing new sustainable boards and the world’s first fully recycled wetsuit.
Ms Campbell said she would now only work with or accept sponsorship from brands that have a clear sustainability ethos.
“It’s often difficult to turn down a big paycheck when it comes to a brand that isn’t sustainable, but it’s definitely more rewarding in the long run,” she said.
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Environmentalists are concerned about the mass production of polyurethane surfboards and neoprene wetsuits
She said there are already examples of how brands can be more sustainable and have less impact on the environment.
“I think they have to take responsibility and make that difference. While the price may be higher, I think that price will eventually come down as technology advances.”
Historically, surfing has had the image of a sport and lifestyle that is in harmony with and protective of the oceans and the environment.
However, environmental activists say the manufacture and export of polystyrene and polyurethane sheets and wetsuits come with a significant carbon footprint.
A long-term study estimated that the production of a conventional epoxy-coated polyurethane sheet exported around the world could emit the equivalent of up to 250 kg of carbon dioxide.
When you add in the international travel needed to enjoy the best waves, the average surfer’s carbon footprint is said to be 50% larger than that of the average person.
Lucy Campbell herself will compete in the Olympic Qualifying Championships in El Salvador this month. She’s trying to offset the carbon cost of her travels, adding, “You want to encourage people to be in nature, but at what cost to the planet?”
It is estimated that more than 8,000 tons of wetsuits end up in landfill each year.
Industry body Surf Industry Members Association said it was proud of the progress made on the environment and said companies had donated up to $80m (£64m) to the work of environmental organisations.
Vipe Desai, the association’s executive director, said the companies are “working together to address the environmental impact of the products made by the industry. These efforts have been, and continue to be, driven by consumers demanding more from surf brands.”
Greener surfboards and wetsuits
The industry is developing new surfboards made from recycled material or natural fibers – even mushrooms – and wetsuits made from natural rubber from sustainable plantations.
In the UK, surfing company Finisterre is developing a wetsuit made from recycled wetsuits, which they say would be a world first. It collected nearly 1,000 old suits to create a recycled rubber that they are currently testing.
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More than 8,000 tons of wetsuits end up in landfill every year
Tom Kay, the company’s founder, said more brands needed to invest in developing new ideas.
“Some of the media outlining the toxicity of neoprene is extreme, terrible to say the least. If you knew that, why wouldn’t you change?” he said.
It is said that cheap, mass-produced panels can release thousands of tiny styrofoam beads into the environment when they break, posing a threat to wildlife.
Project manager Neil Hembrow said the number of boards discarded was “disheartening”.
But the industry says it’s trying to become more sustainable and educate surfers on how to extend the life of their boards.
Mark Dale, chief marketing officer of Agit Global, a US company that makes the mass-produced Wavestorm board in Taiwan, said its boards are not designed to be thrown away after a few uses.
He told the `: “The misconception about Wavestorm is that we make a large number of boards that are destined for landfill, but you can use a Wavestorm board for many years. We don’t build boards here as throwaway boards.”
He added that their manufacturing process has been independently audited and each board produced has produced the equivalent of just 24kg of carbon dioxide.
dr Greg Borne, a social scientist at Plymouth Marjon University, said he was optimistic about the industry’s efforts to address its environmental impacts.
He said: “It’s a company and they’re making profits, but they’re making profits now in a way that’s starting to take sustainability factors into account.”
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