Morgan Mulholland "Upcycled"

A study led by Dr Jenna Jambeck at the University of Georgia found that 8 million tons of plastic pollution entered the world’s oceans in 2010 alone, with South Africa 11th in the list of contributors, ahead of India, the USA and 23 European countries. However, whilst South Africans are aware of ocean pollution from items such as plastic bags and straws, they don’t know about the impact of sports like surfing.

WAWA is a local company producing ethical surfboards using upcycling and natural products such as cork, agave, mushrooms, hemp and natural resins. As a result, WAWA boards don’t pollute the ocean, can be recycled and are biodegradable. WAWA surfboards use agave, a non-native plant that has affected indigenous plant life, extensively, helping the local biosphere and lessening environmental impact in more ways than one. The outcome is something that surfboard makers and environmentally conscious millennials worldwide can take forward.