Recently I been getting more and more interested in finding out about how to be more environmentally friendly within the board making process.
In shaping, u see things like using blanks that closely meet the board you’re gonna shape (in dimensions), re-use of sand paper, types of blanks materials, etc
During glassing, depending on the method and resins used, cleaining or not with acetone, re-using or throwing away things like measuring buckets, squeeges, types of gloves used, fiber cloth types etc.
I’d like to know what you guys do to reuse your footprint, but also maintain the level of quality on your finished boards.
If you’re not re-using brushes, buckets, and sand paper you are just throwing money away. Theres a lot more that goes into being environmentally friendly than just that though. Materials have to be ‘green’ or sustainable ie recycled foam blanks, wood, eco resin etc.
I don’t know if a true performance surfboard can be 100% ‘green’ (materials sourced locally, manufactured in a eco-friendly environment, sold locally, etc etc), but we can get pretty close.
I think you have to do an analysis of the benefits of reusing. If reusing means cleaning with toxic chemicals, it might be better to toss (ie chip brushes). The whole cradle to grave analysis of environmental impact is labyrinthine…
I just ran into a guy at the beach and he’s got a poly longboard I made in 2003… it has no dings… I also have a triple stringer poly longboard I made in 2004 and it’s still going strong…looks almost brand new other than some minor dimples on the deck. All of which to me says if you make boards right they last a long long time. I’m sure you can make disposable/landfill boards using any materials, it’s mostly about doing it right versus doing it wrong.
How is the energy used to power your tools generated? Coal, nuclear, natural gas? How are your boards distributed to markets?
Polymers of styrene, urethane, and ester? What is their source?
I’m all for sustainability and preserving the environment. But when it comes to surfboards, green is relative. In our quest for waves, we as surfers seem to have selective vision:
This time BgSurfer sees the big picture clearly. Companies in search of green dollars package and promote their products as environmentally conscious, but when in fact their only quest for green is to line their pockets, and their egos.
right on the money there mate…one one side we throw shit away and continue to not reuse, however if you do reuse, you have to clean it…and if using acetone, well…it’s just as bad or worse…
is there anything that we can use to clean that does a proper job and is NOT acetone? I’ve read somewhere above white vinegar…anyone used it? if so, what’s your take on it?
I’m such a recycler, Marie Callendar micro wave trays for resin, after use the resin comes right out, I filter my acetone to get debris out, then run througt the recycler. Cut off all the large pieces of cloth from the corners and use them for fin lay ups, use sand paper until it is useless, store all the wood from stringer and blank builds for fin sheet and nose & tail blocks. Take apart any thing mechanical/ electrical for the cords and parts, nuts, bolts, why run to Homodepot for what went in the trash yesterday, buy ultra cheap small tools at swap meets, when they finally break, cannibalize them before tossing. Take my wood blades from the bandsaw and put them on my glass cutting saw when they lose their set and cut until they break.
One of my Skil planers is 45 years old, how old was it when I got it ? preventive maintance
it’s a professionally built model, can’t even read the name on it anymore, basically a still, set for the temp that 'tone evaporates at, in alcohol that is 187 degrees
what sort of recycler do you use for the acetone?