Wait, isn’t skateboarding already eco-friendly? The reply is YES… and NO. In relation to shifting round your city, skateboarding is simply as environmentally clear as Fred Flintstone’s automobile. Completely zero-emissions transportation! However even foot energy has an environmental footprint as a consequence of supplies used within the manufacture of boards, equipment, and kit.
From plastic decks to non-biodegradable wheels, the normal skateboarding business has contributed to environmental hurt. Happily, a rising variety of firms and fanatics are selling eco-friendly options to assist cut back the game’s environmental affect.
Beneath we’ll discover the eco-friendly supplies utilized in skateboarding gear and provide recommendations on sustainable practices that may make your skateboarding life-style much more planet-friendly.
Eco-Pleasant Skateboard Supplies
1. Sustainable Decks
Historically, skateboard decks are produced from Canadian maple, typically harvested by way of practices that aren’t essentially sustainable. Nevertheless, a number of firms are actually providing decks produced from reclaimed wooden or bamboo, each of that are renewable and extra environmentally pleasant choices.
Bamboo Decks: Bamboo is fast-growing, renewable, and has a decrease environmental affect than conventional hardwood. It’s additionally extremely sturdy, providing the identical power and suppleness as maple.
Recycled Wooden: Some manufacturers are creating skateboards from recycled wooden, stopping discards from ending up in landfills. By reusing outdated decks or wooden scraps, these firms cut back waste and decrease the necessity for contemporary timber.
Plant-Based mostly Resin: Many skate firms are choosing plant-based resins of their deck building, decreasing reliance on petroleum-based merchandise.
2. Eco-Pleasant Wheels
Conventional skateboard wheels are generally produced from urethane, a petroleum-based plastic. Whereas urethane is sturdy and performs nicely, it takes a whole lot of years to interrupt down in landfills. To fight this challenge, firms are growing wheels produced from biodegradable or recyclable supplies—even chewing gum!
• Biodegradable Urethane: Some skate manufacturers are experimenting with urethane options that break down naturally over time. This reduces long-term environmental injury.
• Recycled Supplies: Different firms use recycled supplies to provide skateboard wheels, similar to recycled plastic or rubber, which lowers the demand for brand new uncooked supplies.
3. Eco-Pleasant Grip Tape
Conventional grip tape is produced from artificial rubber and coated with mineral grit, which is commonly non-recyclable. Nevertheless, eco-conscious producers have begun producing grip tape produced from extra sustainable supplies, together with non-toxic adhesives, recycled shoe rubber, and pure fibers like hemp.
4. Sustainable Attire
The world of skateboarding vogue can also be embracing sustainability. Many manufacturers now use natural cotton, recycled polyester, and hemp of their clothes strains, conserving each water and pesticides. Moreover, some skate manufacturers are decreasing the usage of dangerous dyes, choosing water-based or plant-derived options.
Sustainable Skateboarding Practices
Greener gear isn’t the one solution to cut back your affect. There are additionally practices that may make skateboarding extra sustainable. It’s principally about losing much less stuff!
1. Skateboard Upkeep
Deal with your skateboard so it lasts! Repeatedly test your deck, oil your wheels, clear grit from shifting elements, and change elements solely when essential. For instance, re-gripping your board as a substitute of tossing it, or changing only one broken wheel as a substitute of the complete set will help prolong the lifetime of your gear.
2. Repurpose Outdated Gear
As a substitute of throwing away outdated or broken skateboards, contemplate repurposing or upcycling them. Outdated decks might be reworked into artwork or small cabinets. Vans can turn out to be wall hooks. On-line repurposing teams share many concepts for turning damaged boards into ingenious creations: barstool seats, coat hooks, a pedalboard base for a guitar… even craziness like saloon doorways for a hen coop! And don’t neglect handy down outdated gear you’re finished with. Your outdated skateboard may make that bored child down the road into the subsequent Tony Hawk!
3. Pushing for Sustainable Practices
Communities reply to issues which might be common. If skate boarders and bicyclists present up, it could possibly encourage cities to spend money on pedestrian-friendly design, which may result in extra people-power, decreasing pointless vehicle use. Eco-friendly infrastructure like trails, parks, and skateparks can enhance public well being and cut back air pollution.
Difficult such norms is what skateboarding tradition has all the time been about. You may help manufacturers with sustainable practices, undertake these practices your self, and encourage your pals to make aware choices about their gear and habits.
Conclusion
It’s encouraging to see extra skaters and corporations embracing eco-friendly practices and supplies. By selecting sustainable gear, sustaining your skateboard correctly, and adopting accountable practices, you possibly can cut back your environmental footprint whereas having fun with the fun of skating. The outdated slogan “Skate or Die!” doesn’t should be nihilistic. Let’s make skateboarding a optimistic power within the quest to maintain Planet Earth inexperienced for all these future shrimps who’ve but to shred.
