Visiting Eco Board Works

Eco Board Works' in-house brand of boards, E-Tech.

We stopped by the Eco Board Works facility in Hawthorne, CA a few months ago to chat with Ryan, Todd, and Chano about their facility, the boards they’re making, and their inspiration for opening the facility.

We filmed a short video of our visit, which you can see below.  They encourage people to visit their facility, design a board with them in their design studio, and then jump into the back where they can shape it in front of you.  It’s a pretty cool idea if you’re close enough to the facility to take the trip.  They’re sourcing their blanks using Envirofoam from Marko Foam, using bamboo decks, and plant-based resins from Entropy.

Here’s the video from our visit:

I am also happy to report that Eco Board Works’ surfboard lineup is listed on Evergreen Sessions: http://evergreensessions.com/company.php?id=42

Evergreen Sessions Launches for Environmentally-Conscious Surfers

Contact: Michael Caruso / mike@evergreensessions.com / 516-568-5538

Evergreen Sessions Launches for Environmentally-Conscious Surfers

Long Beach, NY — Surfers who want to do more to protect the planet need to look no further than a Web site called Evergreen Sessions (evergreensessions.com) to make outdoor gear purchases that are environmentally friendly. Evergreen Sessions was recently launched for outdoor enthusiasts who want to search for currently available environmentally-friendly surf gear. The site is a database of surfing products, such as leashes, wax and wetsuits, all of which are produced from environmentally-friendly materials or manufactured responsibly. The products are searchable and taggable, there are links on where those products are being sold, and most importantly, the site is an an online community where members can add and edit information on products and discuss their passion for the sport as well as the gear they’re using.

The site was created by Michael Caruso, a Long Islander with a love of the ocean and all things outdoors, when he realized there wasn’t one central place on the web to learn about all of the environmentally-friendly alternatives to the common surf gear that he was buying and using. “Evergreen Sessions is the solution to my own problem and, hopefully, the problem others are having as they try to enjoy the outdoor activities they love, but doing so in a responsible way. The unique aspect of the site, which I find is one of its strongest features, is that we’ve built the site for the community. We all have ideas and thoughts to share about the gear we’re using and Evergreen Sessions gives everyone a voice.”

An example of the site’s benefit is immediately apparent when shopping for surfboard leashes. Typical surfboard leashes are made from urethane, a petroleum product. Based on the recent disaster in the gulf, it is imperative that we reduce our reliance on products that require further petroleum being extracted from our earth. A company called Wave Tribe makes a leash made from 100% recycled urethane cord. The leash is still stretchable and provides all the normal amenities of a non-recycled leash. WaveTribe products are listed on Evergreen Sessions and those product pages link to locations on the web where visitors can purchase gear, such as the leash (http://bit.ly/chvgE4).

Sources:
http://www.surfline.com/surfing-a-to-z/surf-leashes-history_921/
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Surfboard&oldid=361403351#Parts
http://surfshop.wavetribe.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbZu1fkNWPs

To become a member of this exciting new venture, visit EvergreenSessions.com or to learn more, contact Michael Caruso at 516-568-5538 or mike@evergreensessions.com.

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Link to PDF: EGS_Press_Release

Small Eco-Friendly Boardshorts Manufacturers?

Anyone know of any eco-friendly boardshort manufacturers?  We are severely lacking boardshorts on Evergreen Sessions and I would love to reach out to some manufacturers…  Post a comment below, shoot me an email at mike@evergreensessions.com, or fill out the form below…

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REVIEW: Matunas Organic, 100% Natural Eco-Surf Wax

I heard about Matunas Wax a few years ago while browsing the web.  I could never find it in local surf shops, so I never bought it.  It wasn’t until recently that I reached out to Matt Mattoon, the founder of the company and spoke with him about the company and the wax.

The wax is 100% natural — it is organic, biodegradable, and nontoxic.  Plus, all of the ingredients are locally sourced from California.  To take it a step further, the paper wrapping is recycled F.S.C.-certified and printed with soy inks.  The bars are then delivered to retailers in recycled cardboard boxes.  From their website:

Matunas is an organic surf wax from our 25 acre farm in Santa Cruz, California, since 1998. We are not a soy wax, and we use ingredients that we grow on our farm. Everything we use is 100% natural. Our fragrances are from real strawberries, raspberries, and jasmine flowers. We have created a product that works superior to the other paraffin and chemical waxes out there in the market. Our wax is non-toxic, biodegradable, and our wrappers are printed with soy ink on 100% recycled paper.

(via http://www.matunasco.com/history.htm)

I had the opportunity of using a batch of the wax over the past few months here in New York where the surf has been legitimately good recently.  After using the wax on two of my boards, an 8’0″ longboard and 5’11” fish, I am completely comfortable saying that the wax is indistinguishable from any other wax that I have ever used.

I plan to use this wax exclusively going forward, as it is not only great to ride, but also great for the environment.  I’m giving it five stars on Evergreen Sessions.  I suggest everyone try this wax, they won’t regret it.

Do You Manufacture Environmentally-Friendly Surf Gear?

If you manufacture environmentally-friendly surf gear — Contact me!

We want to feature your product(s) on Evergreen Sessions, a website that allows users to rate and review environmentally-friendly outdoor gear and interact with other like-minded users.  Exposure is good!  Let’s work together to get people to see your goods!

Here’s my email address: mike@evergreensessions.com

Tell me about the product(s) you manufacture, your website, and any information you can give me about why your product is environmentally-friendly.

Your Own No Impact Week

A bit late to post this, but better late than never: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/12/the-no-impact-week-guide_n_317277.html

Start your own no impact week by following the above guide on the Huffington Post.  In case you haven’t heard of it, No Impact Man is a blog run by Colin Beavan in New York.  From his blog:

For one year, my wife, my 2-year-old daughter, my dog and I, while living in the middle of New York City, are attempting to live without making any net impact on the environment. In other words, no trash, no carbon emissions, no toxins in the water, no elevators, no subway, no products in packaging, no plastics, no air conditioning, no TV, no toilets…

Here was his plan.  He has since finished the year, wrote a book, and a movie was produced about the year.

While I think this approach is not meant for everyone, Colin took his normal way of life and reached one extreme end of the environmental spectrum.  He even called him and his family “eco-extremists.”  This approach isn’t meant for the world to adopt, but it is meant to show what can be done.  I think a take-away is that if Colin can do this, then you can do one or two things to reduce your waste.

Start this week: buy less and drop your impact…

Bags

Following up from my bag tax/ban post, I have been looking into a way to reduce my impact regarding all the plastic bags that I have been using, for example, at the supermarket and for my garbage.  I found a couple of options: (1) canvas bags for supermarket shopping, and (2) biodegradable and compostable bags for garbage:

http://mhgdblog.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/on-the-bag-wagon/

http://officesalesusa.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/231/

http://baggubag.com/#Shop

http://www.officesalesusa.com/Biodegradable.php?curid=4aeb244f75c01&uid=

Anyone had experience with any of these?  Know of any better ones?

Surfboard Impact

Apparently surfboards aren’t all that bad after all…

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/catching-up-with-berkeley-grad-student-tobias-schultz-on-his-cradle-to-grave-study-on-boards_31406/

Ted’s Montana Grill

Ted Turner has partnered with George McKerrow Jr. to create Ted’s Montana Grill.  At first it seems like a regular burger joint, but upon closer inspection you find out that they are trying to make a difference on the environmental front.  Now it could all be BS, but it seems like they’re doing the right thing:

Ted’s Montana Grill has a deep commitment to the environment and our goal is to be 99% plastic-free.  That’s why we re-introduced the paper straw, (not produced in the United States since 1970) and use it in all of our restaurants.  Menus are printed on 100% recycled paper.  Our to-go cups are made of cornstarch that bio-degrades in landfills in just 50 days.  Soft drinks are served in recyclable glass bottles.  Our take-away food is placed in Bio-Plus Earth Containers, which are high-quality, bio-degradable containers that are microwavable.  These containers have been endorsed by the Green Restaurant Association.  In addition to maintaining a 99% plastic-free restaurant, we also try to conserve energy and water.  In Tallahassee, Fla., we worked with the city’s Energy Services division and One World Sustainable Inc. to install 66 solar panels on the top of our restaurant.  And we are always looking for innovative ways to reduce our energy consumption like wind generators as well as low voltage lighting in all of our restaurants.  Many of the restaurants feature water-efficient toilets in order to help conserve water.  And all of our restaurants are non-smoking.

Even their toilets are environmentally conscious — dual-function flushers!

Plus, the Bison burgers are pretty good!  Check them out.

Reef Redemption

http://www.reefredemption.com/

Reef’s intention to become a more environmentally-responsible manufacturer.  I like where they’re going.