Future = Nature
Element unveil sustainability conscious skateboard deck in boundary pushing partnership with HLC.
Huge news from the Element camp: they've just dropped the Section C.B.N. (Conscious By Nature), a skateboard deck designed with environmental responsibility at the fore. This deck goes beyond quality performance in the streets; it's about minimising the skate industry’s effect on our planet. Following two years of dedicated collaboration with environmentalists and a highly regarded woodshop in Spain, Element are introducing a deck that looks to reduce environmental impact by a game-changing 43%.
So, what’s the difference between the C.B.N. and your average deck? Element are prioritising responsible sourcing and cutting climate change related to deck production by 16% using wood from FSC-certified forests in Canada. They've also made big strides in cutting back on harmful chemicals, using water-based varnish and glue to reduce emissions, as well as natural veneers, which also has the convenient side effect of increasing deck durability. If that wasn’t enough, each C.B.N. deck arrives in a corn-based shrink wrap, replacing the standardised plastic polymer found on most new boards.
The C.B.N. is just the start. Element's relationship with HLC, the renowned skateboard manufacturer based in the Basque Country, has been instrumental in the process and signals big changes for both parties going forward. Founded in 2000, HLC is committed to advancing sustainable manufacturing practices in the skate industry; together with Element and environmental consultants, they're not only producing more environmentally conscious boards but also making moves to ensure that their manufacturing process is open and accessible to the entire industry in the future.
Roughly 30% of HLC’s operation is powered by renewable energy and, with the factory located just 30km from Element's headquarters, transportation emissions are lessened. You might even skate that far on a particularly heavy summer session! Any waste wood is turned into chipboard for furniture, and customers are encouraged to pass on or recycle their decks at the end of their lifespans.
This dedication to sustainability is not just a passing trend for Element; it's a commitment to reshaping the future of skateboard production. With the processes in place for the C.B.N., Element hope to continue expanding their sustainable offering, taking the place of their more traditionally manufactured lineup. With our own drive towards sustainability, we at Route One are backing Element and HLC to smash it with this latest venture: the Section C.B.N. isn’t just a deck—it's a symbol of progress.
