Our Goal
Our goal is to raise awareness among as many people as possible about the current state of the Earth and to encourage them to consider the environment and choose environmentally friendly actions. Additionally, as a company that manufactures and sells products to people, we pledge to always consider our impact on the Earth and take action accordingly. In essence, our economic activities and environmental issues are closely intertwined with what we produce and consume for human survival. Scientists from various fields have demonstrated that our excessive consumption is contributing to environmental degradation. Currently, the Earth's ecosystem is struggling to sustain our convenient lifestyles.
Building upon the solutions proposed by scientists, large-scale and far-reaching structural changes of an unprecedented magnitude are required. If there's one thing each of us can do, it's to educate ourselves as much as possible and spread awareness to others. By gaining a deep understanding of the significance and consequences of the challenges facing humanity, we can discern the appropriate course of action. Now, consumers, companies, and countries must collaborate to alter their behavior and foster positive change.
Knowing the Earth (Current State of the Earth)
The Earth is incredibly resilient. Over the past 70 years, humanity has thrown a number of punches at the Earth, including excessive carbon emissions, deforestation, and marine pollution, but the Earth has absorbed them. As a result, we tend to fall into the illusion that this life will continue forever.
However, when a certain threshold or tipping point is exceeded, natural systems collapse like dominoes, creating a vicious cycle of environmental destruction. Once in that situation, scientists warn that it's extremely difficult to get back on track. Natural systems do not deteriorate gradually, but exponentially. In other words, there is a danger that it will get worse without you noticing, that it will feel like a sudden change in your senses, and that by the time you notice it, you will be in an irreversible situation.
In this context, the tipping point is the point when a complex system, such as a rainforest, crosses a threshold and collapses from a relatively stable state to another state.
The spread of ideas such as sustainability and carbon neutrality in such seemingly stable times is probably due to the activities of people who were concerned about this exponential burden on the Earth.
Surfboards from an Environmental Perspective
From a surfboard manufacturing perspective, there are several considerations to address, so let's explore them individually.
Greenhouse Gases:
Concerning greenhouse gases, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from driving a mini car for one hour is at least 20 times higher than that emitted from making a single surfboard, depending on the vehicle model. When it comes to mitigating greenhouse gases, it's more practical to opt for actions such as using bicycles or public transportation instead of private cars, or avoiding air travel when possible, as these activities contribute significantly to carbon dioxide emissions.
During the manufacturing process, a substantial amount of carbon dioxide is emitted. In terms of greenhouse gases, nanazero is committed to donating 1% of its sales to environmental protection, irrespective of its performance.
Renewable Resources
Renewable resources are materials that can be produced fast enough to be used up. Non-renewable materials, including those from energy sources, are materials that take a long time to regenerate and are generally used faster than renewable rates. Renewable materials can be made from natural products or synthetically, and they often include recycled products.
Bamboo, cork, corn plastic, and recycled glass are examples.
nanazero's surfboards use paulownia wood, which grows quickly and easily, for the stringers, decks, and bottoms.
Recyclable Resources
On the other hand, recyclable resources refer to resources that can be used over and over again. But in order to reuse them, it is necessary to plan the recycling process from the product planning stage so that the product can be broken down into a single material after it is finished being used.
nanazero's surfboards use a recycled EPS core, which is more environmentally friendly, but it is difficult to recycle due to the sandwich structure that bonds, multiple materials unique to surfboards and the characteristics of products used in environments where seawater can easily erode.
Therefore, using recycled materials as much as possible to create a surfboard that is highly durable, and can be used for a long time is the answer for nanazero at this time.
Component Degradability
It means that it can be decomposed into harmless substances by the action of degradable microorganisms.
In general, products that are labeled as degradable are biodegradable under the special condition of composting and are often not "marine biodegradable". Even if it were to be disassembled, it would take a very, very long time.
The same is true for nanazero surfboards, which take many years to decompose in the natural environment.
In terms of degradability, the possible environmental risk of surfboards is that when they are caught in waves or crashed into rocks, they can break apart and flow into the ocean, harming marine life.
Again, in addition to making a durable, long-lasting surfboard to reduce the risk of its breakage, nanazero's answer at the moment is to make it without using toxic materials. For this reason, nanazero does not use highly toxic PU materials, but only manufactures and sells surfboards made of EPS material.
Hazards to Workers and Local Communities
It goes without saying that hand crafting has some effect on a persons health. nanazero's surfboards are crafted boards, not moldboards, but they are machined to reduce the health risks of the builder by shaping the first, basic foam. The delicate process that shines with craftsmanship, fine adjustment of the shape, lamination work, and finishing are all done by hand.
Durability
Strength: water resistance, sunlight resistance, etc., are one of the most important factors for reducing environmental impact. The fewer surfboards we manufacture and consume, the less resources we use and pollution we cause. It's simple.
nanazero aims to be a durable and unbreakable board while maintaining good performance. The stringers, the deck and bottom surface are made of durable paulownia wood. Paulownia wood used for decking and bottom surfaces serves a similar role to traditional fiberglass but is a stronger material.
Our Promises
Our current approach is to prioritize the use of eco-friendly materials in creating surfboards that are durable and long-lasting. We are dedicated to offering products crafted from renewable and recycled materials whenever feasible, extending beyond surfboards to encompass all our offerings.
We embrace the core principles of environmental responsibility and willingly address challenges that may arise for our brand. Irrespective of the company's performance, we pledge to donate 1% of our sales to nonprofit environmental organizations.