Sustainability 101: Choosing Eco-Friendly Surf Waxes

JUMP TO: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF TRADITIONAL SURF WAXES  |  RISING TIDE OF ECO-FRIENDLY SURF WAXES  |  HOW TO IDENTIFY ECO-FRIENDLY SURF WAXES  |  POPULAR ECO-FRIENDLY SURF WAX BRANDS  |  TIPS FOR PROPER WAX DISPOSAL

Author: Julianne Greco | Updated: Mar 24, 2024
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Learn more.

One of the best parts about surfing is getting to experience the great outdoors and feeling that special connection to nature when out in the ocean. But the unfortunate irony is that most surf equipment on the market is not eco-friendly. Most of it is made from ocean-polluting materials, from wetsuits to sunscreen to surfboards themselves. And surf wax is no exception.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF TRADITIONAL SURF WAXES

The prevailing main ingredient traditionally used in surfboard waxes is paraffin, a byproduct of petroleum refinement. And when that wax melts off in the water, it releases petrochemicals into the ocean. The paraffin will break down into microparticles, but never biodegrade. Those microparticles accumulate in marine ecosystems and are a threat to ocean wildlife, human health, and marine biodiversity So how can we, as surfers, do better to minimize our environmental impact? Enter eco-friendly surf waxes.

RISING TIDE OF ECO-FRIENDLY SURF WAXES

The good news is that awareness is spreading of the negative impact of traditional surf waxes. In turn, there’s a growing level of consciousness among consumers, who are opting to use their money to vote for sustainability and support eco-friendly brands. So, it’s getting easier and easier to get your hands on wax made from biodegradable and natural ingredients. Many of these eco-friendly waxes also go easy on the environment during production and use biodegradable packaging. Because there’s already enough you need to focus on while surfing; the last thing you want while paddling out is to feel anxious and guilty about leaving behind a trail of harmful substances in the water or a plastic wax wrapper ending up in a landfill.

HOW TO IDENTIFY ECO-FRIENDLY SURF WAXES

The not-so-great news is that it’s not always cut-and-dry when hunting for eco-friendly surf waxes. Typically, surf wax companies hold out on us and don’t detail their products’ complete ingredient lists, with some even keeping their formulas “top secret”.

As a result, it’s not always possible to know if a particular bar of wax contains petrochemicals or other harmful ingredients. This lack of transparency also makes “greenwashing” easy, where marketing terms like “organic,” “natural,” and “eco-friendly” can be used liberally, regardless of whether their product has any actual eco merit — so when doing your wax shopping, make sure to take these terms with a grain of salt. 

Instead, go straight for the product’s composition list on the brand’s website or on the product itself and look for the red flag of paraffin and green-flag biodegradable ingredients like beeswax. Pro tip: if the packaging is plastic, then that should already be an obvious indicator.

POPULAR ECO-FRIENDLY SURF WAX BRANDS

But what about performance? Brands churning out bars made from paraffin tend to argue that other formulas offer inferior grip. Perhaps this is true if you’re on the WSL tour and performing advanced-level aerials and maneuvers and need an out-of-this-world level of tackiness. But the reality is that there are plenty of eco-friendly surf waxes out there that don’t compromise on sustainability and are still go-to’s for the pros. Have a look at Matunas Organic Surf Wax, Rob Machado Organic Blend, and even the household wax name, Sticky Bumps.

Make sure to check out our detailed guide to the Best Surf Waxes for more help picking the best wax for your surfing needs.

TIPS FOR PROPER WAX DISPOSAL

Another thing you can do besides waxing up your board with an eco-friendly grip is responsibly dispose of your old wax. Because who wants to see bits of wax floating around in the lineup or sinking down to wreak havoc on the reef? Avoid tossing extra or loose wax in the water or leaving it on the beach. Instead, repurpose it into a crafts project like making DIY candles or throw it in the trash — if you’re using a biodegradable product, rest assured it will break down over time.

MORE INFORMATION

If you loved this article, then you'll likely love dipping into some of our other surfing content:

• Best Surfboards

• Best Beginner Surfboards

• Best Soft Top Surfboards

• Best Surfboard Traction Pads

• Best Surfboard Bags

• Best Surf Booties

Or check out our entire list of Gear Reviews, Knowledge Base Articles, or Destination Guides for more surfing and outdoors related content.