Plastic Now Obsolete in Board Sports Packaging Thanks to Flexi-Hex

In a world where many of us are trying to have a positive impact on the world around us, a new revolutionary plastic-free packaging, Flexi-Hex, is set to take environmentally conscience board producers, retailers and riders by storm.

Lightweight, robust, reusable, recyclable and 100% biodegradable, the Flexi-Hex (patent pending) is a unique development in sports packaging. It’s cardboard honeycomb design reduces packaging time, enhances board protection and simultaneously strips single-use plastic from the distribution process.

Marine plastic pollution is a crisis of catastrophic proportions. Over 8 million tonnes of plastic enters our oceans each year, with a rubbish truck of plastic finding its way into our oceans every minute. With scientists anticipating a 10% increase in the next decade, it’s time to take a stand.

Spanning surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, the global boardsports industry has the potential to take a significant – and influential – leap towards a more environmentally friendly future.

Today, bubble wrap and plastic tape are board packaging staples. Versatile, lightweight and flexible, it’s easy to see why. But most of it ends up in landfill (recycling collection facilities are limited for these materials) and research suggests at least a third escapes into natural areas. So, expert surfers and product designers Sam and Will Boex (the minds behind independent design studio Boex), set out to find a real alternative from their studio on the south Cornish coast.

So, why should we all be using Flexi-Hex?

Damaged products lead to reproduction and repackaging, adding even more layers of avoidable environmental impact. So, the brothers focussed on producing packaging that not only eliminates plastic, but also offers improved protection. After a year of prototyping they landed on their easy to use, 100% cardboard, honeycomb Flexi-Hex design.

Flexi-Hex founder Sam Boex, said: “The idea was inspired by the way fruit is packaged in mesh nets. I thought, if it’s cost-effective to do this, you must be able to package a curved board with a low impact material that removes plastic, at a price that competes with current packaging costs. And so Flexi-Hex was born.”

The product has been rigorously tested by Europe’s largest action sports retailer, Surfdome. The initial production run sold out within 12 hours of being available on the website. Flexi-Hex has seen huge interest from surf companies and individuals alike spanning the US, South America, Australia, Russia and South Africa.

Aligned with their own plastic reduction headline sustainability strategy, Surfdome is now championing Flexi-Hex for all its board suppliers.

Adam Hall, Head of Sustainability at Surfdome said: “We rely on the environments that are directly affected by plastic pollution for us to enjoy our board sports. So, it’s essential that our industry leads the charge away from single use plastic packaging. And there are no more iconic products to address than surf, snow and skate boards.”

Surfdome is not alone. Surf, snow and skate brands and distributors are rapidly taking to Flexi-Hex in a bid to play their part in tackling the marine plastic crisis. One of the earliest adopters is Fourth. Since introducing Flexi-Hex, the premium British surfboard brand has eliminated an astounding 11 miles of bubble wrap. And in 2018 they expect to eliminate the equivalent of 23,750 500ml plastic bottles – making them the first surfboard brand to use 100% plastic-free packaging.

Beyond enjoying increased packaging efficiency, board producers and retailers using Flexi-Hex will be frontrunners in the plastic-free packaging revolution. Customers can also rest easy knowing their purchase is not contributing to the plastic problem.