Reusing and recycling snowboard equipment

Before you work out how to dispose of a snowboard responsibly, check whether it really has reached the end of its life. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle guidance puts reducing and reusing ahead of recycling, and that order works well for snowboard gear too.

• Ready to use: the board has an intact base, edges, inserts and core, and could be ridden by someone else after a wax.
• Needs work: it has base damage, rusty or dull edges, or worn binding parts that a shop could fix. Get an idea of the cost before deciding.
• End of life: cracked or missing edges, a damaged core, delamination, inserts that will not hold, or a board that has lost its shape.

Our second-hand condition checklist covers what to look for. Check bindings, boots and clothing separately: a board that is finished may still have bindings that someone else can use.

Safety equipment is different

Do not pass on a helmet that has taken a significant impact or that you are unsure about. Follow the helmet maker’s guidance on replacement. Bindings with cracked baseplates, highbacks or ratchets should not be sold or donated for riding either.

Keeping your own equipment in use for longer is the simplest way to reduce what you throw away. Many common problems are repairable:

• Base scratches and gouges: see snowboard base repair.
• Edges and topsheet: see topsheet and edge repair. Structural damage is a job for a technician.
• Binding parts: straps, ratchets and screws are often available as spare parts from the manufacturer.
• Boots: laces, liners and other components can sometimes be replaced. See snowboard boot repairs.

Regular care also helps equipment last. See snowboard maintenance and how to store a snowboard. If a board no longer suits your riding but is still in good shape, you can also give it new life with a different setup or a new look. See customizing a snowboard.

How to sell a snowboard

1. Clean and dry it, and wax it if you can. A cared-for board is easier to sell.
2. Identify it. List the brand, model, length and approximate season, and whether bindings are included.
3. Photograph it in good light: the topsheet, the whole base, close-ups of the edges and any damage.
4. Describe the condition honestly, including repairs and known faults.
5. Set a price by comparing recent listings for the same or similar models in your area. Condition, age and whether bindings are included all affect value.
6. Include the hardware. If bindings are included, keep all their mounting screws and discs with them.

Local marketplaces, ski and snowboard swaps, and shops that sell used gear are all options. Some manufacturers and shops run trade-in or used-gear programs, but what they accept, and where, changes, so check their current terms before you rely on one.

Donating

Schools, youth clubs, adaptive sports programs and community groups sometimes accept usable snowboard gear. Contact them first to ask what they need and can store, rather than dropping equipment off unannounced. Outgrown kids’ gear is often especially useful. See sizing a snowboard for kids.

When you buy new gear or choose a recycling service, you will see environmental claims. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides tell businesses how to make environmental claims without misleading people. They are a useful checklist for shoppers too:

• Vague words: the Green Guides say marketers “should not make broad, unqualified general environmental benefit claims like ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly.’” Look for what exactly is better, and in which part of the product.
• “Recyclable”: the FTC expects recyclable claims to be qualified when recycling facilities are not available to at least 60 percent of the consumers or communities where the product is sold. Ask whether you can actually recycle it where you live.
• Recycled content: the Green Guides give “Made from 30% recycled material” as the kind of specific wording expected when only part of a product is recycled. Check which part, and what share.
• Certifications and seals: the FTC says a seal should clearly convey the basis for the certification, and that marketers should disclose any material connection to the certifier. Find out who issued it and what it covers.

A quick test for any snowboard, wax or clothing claim: could you explain to a friend exactly what is better about this product? If not, the claim is too vague to rely on. If a claim is not specific or you cannot check it, treat it with caution. The most reliable choice is often to buy equipment that fits you and suits your riding, look after it, and keep it in use for as long as it stays safe. Our guide to picking a board that suits you can help you buy once and ride it for years.