Alright, fellow surfers, let's talk about something that's been on my mind lately – the wax we slap on our boards. You know, that gooey stuff that helps us stick like a limpet to the wave? Yep, that stuff. Turns out, not all wax is created equal, and some of it isn’t exactly doing our oceans any favors.
So is surf wax bad for the ocean? The short answer is, yes.
The Problem with Traditional Surf Wax
Most of us grew up using paraffin wax. It's cheap, it works, and it's been around forever. But here's the thing: paraffin is a petroleum product. That means it comes from crude oil, the same stuff that powers our petrol -guzzling cars. Refining that oil isn’t exactly a walk in the park for the environment. Plus, when that wax wears off your board it washes into the ocean as tiny microplastic particles. These particles can be ingested by marine animals or stick to their bodies, causing irritation, infection, or suffocation.Research suggests that surfers are responsible for adding up to 86 tons of microplastics to the ocean every year through their use of surfboard wax.
The facts:
- Petroleum Dependency: Paraffin wax is derived from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. Its production involves energy-intensive processes and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Toxic Chemicals: Paraffin wax can contain harmful additives like fragrances, dyes, and toxins. These chemicals can leach into the water, harming marine life.
- Microplastic Pollution: As wax wears off boards, it breaks down into tiny particles, contributing significantly to microplastic pollution in the ocean.
Soy Wax: Not as Green as it Sounds
Now, you might have seen "eco-friendly" waxes made from soy. Sounds good, right? Plant-based, gotta be better for the planet, yep? Well, not so fast. Making soy wax isn’t exactly a natural process. Like paraffin wax, hydrogenated soy oil (wax) is also considered synthetic and non-organic 3. The soy bean oil is extracted from the soy bean using hexane 9 (another petrochemical). Soy bean oil is converted to wax through hydrogenation, in which hydrogen gas is catalytically combined with the oil. Hydrogen gas is produced industrially through a process called methane steam reforming 10, where natural gas (a petrochemical) and water are broken up into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide.
The facts:
- Synthetic Nature: Despite being plant-based, soy wax is not inherently "organic." It undergoes industrial processing, including hydrogenation, which involves the use of petrochemicals and significant energy consumption.
- Environmental Costs of Soy Production: Soybeans are often genetically modified and grown with the heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers, leading to environmental degradation and potential harm to biodiversity.
- Land Use and Deforestation: The growing demand for soybeans can lead to deforestation and contribute to habitat loss.
The Natural Alternative: Beeswax and Friends
So, what's a surfer to do? Well, thankfully, there are some awesome alternatives out there. I'm talking about waxes made from natural ingredients like beeswax, tree resin, coconut oil, and clay. These bad boys are biodegradable, meaning they break down naturally in the ocean without harming marine life. Plus, they often support local beekeepers and other small businesses.
The facts:
- Biodegradable: Beeswax-based waxes break down naturally in the environment, minimizing their impact on marine life.
- Reduced Environmental Footprint: They rely on renewable resources and minimize the use of harmful chemicals.
- Support Sustainable Practices: By choosing beeswax-based waxes, you support beekeepers and other small, sustainable businesses.
Do Your Part:
- Use less wax: Seriously, you don't need a thick layer to get good grip.
- Clean your board properly: Scrape off as much wax as you can before you even think about washing your board.
- Choose natural: Opt for beeswax-based waxes and support companies that are doing the right thing.
Look, we all love to surf. Let's make sure we're doing our part to protect the waves and the ocean that we love so much.
Cheers, and happy surfing!
For an ocean friendly surf wax that performs like a wax should, but doesn’t harm like it shouldn’t, check out the Eco Wax from Green Planet Surfer.
https://greenplanetsurfer.com.au/collections/surf-wax
Surf Clean, Surf Green, Surf Sustainably
Reference:
https://www.sexwax.com/surf-wax-environmental/
https://medium.com/@tburola/the-hidden-danger-of-surfboard-wax-4a55aafc745c