Riley Planet - Eco friendly surf products
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As surfers we enjoy nature on a daily basis more than anybody else. This is why we at Riley Balsa constantly try to reduce our impact on the environment. In producing only balsawood surfboards we have already taken a big step towards more environmentally friendly surfboards. A balsa wood tree grows very fast. After 3-4 years it already reaches a height of up to 10 metres and a diameter of 50-65 cm. The tree will not grow any more after this time (it actually dies) so it is best to harvest it then. At the time of cutting it, the balsa tree holds seeds in like a cotton wool ball and when it hits the ground the seeds are scattered on the ground. Usually there will be around 10 seeds which germinate from this (if not more). Balsa wood is therefore highly sustainable and can be recycled.
•During the shaping process we don’t use harmful materials. In fact, on our solid surfboards the only waste is balsa and redwood saw dust (which is put into composting for the garden. Some small off cuts are given to schools and other charity organisations.
•Our foam core boards have a recycled polystyrene core (rather than a polyurethane core – these are toxic when made) which is safer for the shaper as well as the environment – it can be recycled again and again. In addition to being less toxic, Riley surfboards last at least 5 times longer than a board made out of traditional materials. This means less or no boards on landfills.
•The glues we use contain no volatile or flammable ingredients.
•We recycle the sand paper after it is used in our machines. It is reused for hand sanding.
•In order to reduce our CO2 footprint we have started growing our own balsa trees near Cooktown, Queensland rather than importing it from Ecuador. Unfortunately the climate here in Australia is not as ideal as in Ecuador which means we will further have to import balsa wood from Ecuador. However, we import large quantities by the container and ship it here rather than importing small quantities via air transport.
• Riley Balsawood Surfboards is a member of the Rainforest Alliance. The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour. Please check out their website (http://www.rainforest-alliance.org) and support their cause.
•Because the balsa substrate is stronger than the regular polyurethane blank – it requires less glass and less resin therefore reducing the impact on the environment.
•All of our fins, fin boxes, leash plugs are exclusively Australian made with balsa colouring.
• Our factory’s and office hot water system is powered by solar energy.
• Riley’s Australian wide courier uses "Carbon Neutral" to offset any emissions - by planting trees or purchasing Greenhouse Friendly Verified Emissions Reduction Units (VER's).
•For all national and international orders we use recycled cardboard and innovative EnviroBubble it is the world’s first 100% totally degradable bubble wrap incorporates EPI’s TDPA (Totally Degradable Plastic Additives). It is made in Australia and the wrap has a controlled shelf life of a minimum of 12 months as the TDPA additives are added at a controlled rate to monitor and control the useable life of the product and allowing the bags to degrade at a specific rate. - please do the right thing when receiving an order and either re-use the packaging or recycle it properly.
•All our file keeping is either electronic or printed on re-used paper.
•Instead of printing thousands of brochures – we use the web and internet to distribute our information ( If you would like more info or have a question please email us.)
•We do not send our newsletter via paper and post – but rather electronically.
•We can accept an order via the website or via email (including custom orders) - an electronic invoice and order can be generated – a deposit can be paid via direct deposit or credit card. The order is made and the final invoice is emailed and payment is made. By using this method we reduce our paper trail by removing 6 pieces of paper (quote, order, invoice, statement, cheque, receipt) also saving time and fuel with depositing a cheque into the bank.
• Please also check our "Who we support" page. Since 1996 we have donated to support the surfing world, environmental issues and communities by contributing time, support, gifts, products and money to make the world a better place. Check out who we support by clicking here.
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