Hold on to your holiday Styrofoam, and bring it to the Aquarium of the Pacific on Jan. 14. This trash will be turned into surf boards through the Waste to Waves program.
I learned something new today... the the same type of polystyrene foam material used to package electronics is also used to make surfboards. Did you know that? I sure didn't. We're also big recyclers at home so we were happy to hear about The Aquarium of the Pacific is partnering with the newly launched nonprofit organization Sustainable Surf to turn Styrofoam waste into surfboards. Recycling the foam packaging into a surfboard eliminates 50 percent of
the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing a surfboard! This new eco-friendly surfboard boasts the same performance and durability of a
board made from virgin petrochemical materials. Not only does this
program reduce the surfboard carbon footprint, but also it helps keep
Styrofoam out of the ocean where it is frequently ingested by marine
animals that mistake the tiny foam particles for food. Can you imagine those poor little animals? How horrible!
How You Can Help
The Aquarium will host a foam collection drive on January 14 to support Sustainable Surf’s Waste to Waves program. Through this program expanded polystyrene, also known as plastic No. 6 or Styrofoam, is recycled into eco-friendly surfboards. Everyone who turns in a piece of Styrofoam at the Aquarium will receive a 20 percent-off coupon in the Aquarium’s Pacific Collection gift store valid on January 14.
How You Can Help
The Aquarium will host a foam collection drive on January 14 to support Sustainable Surf’s Waste to Waves program. Through this program expanded polystyrene, also known as plastic No. 6 or Styrofoam, is recycled into eco-friendly surfboards. Everyone who turns in a piece of Styrofoam at the Aquarium will receive a 20 percent-off coupon in the Aquarium’s Pacific Collection gift store valid on January 14.
Members of the public are encouraged to save their foam packaging waste after the holidays and bring it to the Aquarium, where it will be collected and recycled into surfboards. The foam will be transported to Marko Foam in Irvine, California, to be recycled into new surfboard blanks.
Though I do not surf (it's on my bucket list), I'm pro-anything recycled and would love to hear from surfers who have used one of these eco-friendly surfboards.
Under the Sustainable Surf Waste to Waves campaign, people can also bring waste polystyrene foam to surf shops in California that have collection bins. Waste to Waves partner organizations include Sustainable Surf, SPY, Reef, Marko Foam, the Surfrider Foundation, and Waste Management. For a list of alternative drop-off locations, or for more information, visit wastetowaves.org.
p.s. Waste to Waves is holding a raffle for a FREE surfboard. Go here to enter.
