Recycled Plastic Skateboards

Los Angeles-based Bureo Skateboards has launched a line made from recycled fishing nets in a bid to reduce and raise awareness about ocean plastic pollution. Each board is made in Chile from 1kg of discarded fishing nets, which currently account for up to 10% of ocean plastics. Using reclaimed instead of virgin plastic for production also offers a 70% reduction in greenhouse gases.

To source the raw material, Bureo's founders worked with the World Wildlife Fund to set up Net Positiva, Chile's first programme to collect and recycle disused fishing nets. The free service collects nets from groups of fishermen, which range in size from village operations to commercial fleets. The nets are then cleaned by locals who are trained and paid for their work, while the fishermen receive compensation for every kilo provided.

The skateboard wheels are also a more sustainable choice. Supplied by northern Californian skateboard brand Satori, they are made with 30% vegetable oil and 100% recycled cores made from old, worn-down wheels.

In line with growing eco-awareness, new approaches to plastic are re-evaluating the throwaway material in ways that are beneficial to both company profit and the planet. See Revaluing Plastic and The Plastic Economy: A New Opportunity for more insight.