Are you one of those surfers who has a few old boards gathering dust in your garage? Well, don’t get rid of them just yet! There are a lot of ways to recycle an old surfboard and give it new life. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to do it. So keep reading for tips on how to recycle your old board.
Can Surfboards Be Recycled?
Did you know that almost all surfboards are thrown out – close to 100%?
That’s unfortunate, especially when you consider that many can be recycled, including EPS surfboards, paddleboards, and other common boards used by surf instructors.
Figuring out how to recycle your old surfboard can be a bit tricky. Although traditional surfboards were made out of wood, modern surfboards are made out of polystyrene. This synthetic material can take more than 500 years to decompose.
Surfers have a pretty big carbon footprint, and although traveling to surf takes the biggest toll on the environment, there are other aspects of the hobby that need to be reconsidered, too – like what to do with your old surfboard when it’s no longer usable.
What Do You Do With A Broken Surfboard?
So with that said, what can you do with your old, unused surfboard – especially if it’s broken? Here are a few ideas of how you can reuse or recycle it to get a bit more life out of your old dud.
Make It A Table
Your surfboard is probably flat and long – perfect for a table! All you need to do is attach some legs and you have a great outdoor table that you can use as a tiki bar or a table for entertaining your guests.
Turn It Into A Mailbox
Another fun way to repurpose your old surfboard is to stick it into the ground (you’ll need a hammer!) and attach a mailbox to the front. Now you have a fun, eclectic mailbox that showcases your favorite hobby to the whole world.
Build Shelves
You can also build shelves with your old surfboard – at least, as long as you’re handy with some power tools! This kind of shelf will be great in a garage or beach house since it’s wide and practical. And it looks better than those old MDF shelves, too!
Hang It In The Garden
Do you have a garden? If so, that’s a great place to hang up your old surfboard. It doesn’t matter how damaged, old, or unsightly it might be – it will look great in your garden.
Create An Artistic Collection
If you’re an avid surfer who likes nothing more than to spend time out there on the waves, you might find that you accumulate quite the collection of old, broken surfboards over time. The solution? Stack the broken boards in the shed, hang them on the walls, or display them in your living room. Be proud of your surfboard collection – and get it out there on display!
Build A Sled
Have kids? If so, you can easily turn a surfboard into a fun sled. You don’t even have to have the whole thing – you can make a sled out of a broken surfboard or even half of a surfboard with ease.
Use It To Hold Your Coat
You can attach some old surfboard fins to a plank of wood and you’ll have a super cool coat rack that meshes well with a beach-themed design in your home.
You can even use a surfboard to make a hat rack! Here’s a video that will show you how to do it:
Turn It Into A Chair
If you’re low on seating space in your house, you may want to consider turning that old surfboard into a new chair. You’ll need a saw and some additional wood to cut and fashion the frame, but it’s a pretty simple project that requires minimal woodworking skills.
Fix It
If your surfboard isn’t too badly damaged, you may want to consider fixing it. This might not be a fix that you’re able to do yourself, but by visiting a surf shop or shaper you can get an idea of how tricky this will be for you to do.
Recycle It
Of course, you can always recycle your surfboard, too. There aren’t many ways to do this – again, because most surfboards are no longer made out of just wood but instead out materials that don’t break down well over time.
If you have the ability and tools to do so, one option for recycling your surfboard is to grind it into dust. You can then mix the dust with cement and use the combination to create garden ornaments, statues, and other fixtures.
Again, you’ll have to be relatively handy and have the right gear in order to do this, but it’s a good option if you want to breathe new life into your old surfboard in a more eco-friendly way.
In some places, your local recycling and waste service department will pick up your old surfboard (along with other bulky items like mattresses) to help you get rid of them. You may be charged an extra fee.
There are other cities and towns that may pick up your surfboard and donate it to schools, nonprofits, or even artists who want to create unique pieces. Do a simple Google search to find out where these options exist near you.
Donate It
If there’s any life left at all in your old surfboard, don’t scrap it – donate it! Check with your local thrift store or a community outreach organization near you to see if they accept surfboards. Not all will – since these items are so bulky – but donating is still a good option. Plus, if you save the receipt from your donation, you may be able to get a tax deduction!
How Much Is An Old Surfboard Worth?
Did you know that more than 600 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions are produced during the life cycle of a single surfboard? These emissions are related to repairs, manufacturing, and disposal.
You can cut down on the environmental footprint of your board by choosing one that is made out of recyclable materials, like balsa wood, soy, bamboo, or agave (instead of the more common materials like polyurethane foam and fiberglass).
Another option is to buy a secondhand surfboard. It’s easy to find quality used surfboards for sale – you can not only save money but help the planet in the process.
And if you’re looking to sell your old surfboard to somebody looking to buy one used, how much money can you expect to get? It varies depending on the make, model, and condition, but you can expect to get anywhere between $50 and $350 for your old surfboard when you sell it.
What To Do With Old Surfboards
Surfboards are a fun way to enjoy the waves, but what do you do when your old one is no longer rideable? You can recycle it!
Old surfboards can be turned into new and exciting pieces of furniture, art, or even garden decorations. If you’re not sure how to go about recycling your board, we’ve got you covered.
In this post, we gave you all the information you need on how to recycle an old surfboard. So grab that broken board and get started!