Why Durability IS Sustainability (Rethinking “Eco-Friendly”)
6-minute read
The most sustainable paddle is the one you won’t have to replace for a long time, not necessarily the one made with the “greenest” materials. So durability is very much key to sustainability.
(Photo courtesy of Seth Ezekiel West)
The “buy cheap, replace often” mindset is overloading our landfills and hurting our planet. Consumer items from every industry are involved in this mindset, including the paddle industry.
This is partly because cheap materials can more easily lead to cracked or delaminated blades or bent shafts. It’s partly because getting a new paddle isn’t just about the new paddle, it’s also about the energy, materials, time and shipping costs to get it to you. And it’s partly because people aren’t as careful with cheap paddles as they are with more expensive ones.
So… what if the most sustainable, most eco-friendly paddle is the one you won’t have to replace (at least not for a few decades)?
Looking at the Total Environmental Footprint
Every time you have to buy a new paddle because your cheap one just got a crack in the blade or the grip came loose, that purchase has an environmental footprint.
We usually first think of the materials it’s made with, and that is a big part of it. Each paddle is made with raw materials like wood, carbon, aluminum, fiberglass and resin. Beyond the materials, though, are other factors that affect the environmental footprint.
One primary factor is the energy used to manufacture each paddle (once the raw materials are shipped to our factory). Another is the packaging needed to ship completed paddles, whether directly to a consumer or to a retail store, outfitter or distributor, both domestically and overseas.
(Photo courtesy of Martin Trahan)
By making our paddles as durable as we can so they last as long as they can, we’re able to keep that environmental footprint to a minimum. Our buyers who believe in quality over “buy cheap, replace often” contribute to that as well.
We think it’s worth it to make a paddle that lasts 10, 15 or 20 years (and many of our customers keep theirs even longer) over a half-dozen cheap paddles that’ll be in the trash heap in five years.
What Does “Durability” Mean in Paddles?
To us, durability in paddles means several things. First is its structural strength. This includes things like:
- Edge protection, something we’ve been serious about since the beginning. We reinforce the edges of our wood and composite blades with Rockgard®, Edgegard and Lam-Lok™. (Read all about those here.) The blades are the most prone to damage because they come in contact with rocks, gravel, sand and other abrasives regularly.
- Securely bonding the blade(s) to the shaft. The blades on our paddles stay put. Period.
- Impact resistance is something we test in our factory. While no paddle is impact proof 100% of the time, we make sure ours will stand up to years of use on the waters you love.
- Kayak paddles need a secure ferrule system that will perform well and last for the duration of the paddle’s life.
Durability also has to do with the integrity of the materials used in making the paddle. This goes beyond the wood, fiberglass and carbon to include the resins and varnishes too. High quality = durability = longer lifespan = sustainability.
(Photo courtesy of Peter Yeung)
Finally, how long anyone uses a paddle is also dependent on how well that paddle performs:
- The design of the blade and how well it pulls water, how flutter-free and smooth its strokes.
- The weight of the paddle (which is determined by the materials used in its construction) affects a paddler’s stamina. A lighter paddle can be used longer at a time with less fatigue and soreness, and therefore is more likely to be used…for years.
- The comfort of the shaft and/or grip on the paddler’s hands also makes a big difference in how enjoyable it is each time on the water.
A paddle that’s light, efficient, comfortable and responsive is a joy to use. It’s much more likely to get used and stay used than a heavy clunker of a paddle.
How Durability and Quality Encourage Us to Care
People are interesting. When we get something that’s cheap, we tend not to care about it much. If it gets lost, so what? It was cheap. If it gets broken, oh well, just throw it away and get another one. This isn’t environmentally sustainable, though, is it?
But when we invest in a quality product that’s made with performance and durability in mind, we want to take care of it. We don’t want to lose our investment, so we make sure to place the paddle on top of our heavy packs instead of forgetting it was underneath them. We double-check that we picked it up from that last portage. We choose a safe and dry spot to store it. We don’t use it for things it’s not intended for.
Buying better and smarter can literally change our behavior. Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to pass on your favorite paddle to your kids or grandkids when you’re not paddling anymore? You can’t usually do that with a cheap paddle (nor will your kids want it!).
Make Your First (or Next) Paddle a Sustainable Choice
Maybe you’ve never bought yourself a paddle before, but you’re looking at them because you’ve discovered the wonderful world of canoeing or kayaking or kayak fishing.
The advice we always give is to buy quality from the beginning. You don’t need to start with a cheap paddle just because you’re new to paddling. Or because you don’t get on the water every day of the week.
If you’re a recreational canoeist or kayaker who gets out a handful of times a year, one of our paddles can last you the rest of your life. No joke. They’re that durable. You don’t need to start with an uncomfortable, cheaply-made, heavy paddle. Even our least expensive models are built to last.
But if you want to start with a mid-range or above paddle, think about that $200 or $400 you’ll spend on one that will last you the next two or three decades. That’s a pretty long-term investment in your health, your enjoyment and your time. That sounds better than sending a half dozen cheap paddles to landfills during the same time frame.
(Photo courtesy of Jamie Cooper)
If you’re an avid paddler—canoe tripping, kayaking fishing, kayak touring—buying a high-quality, durable paddle is a no-brainer. You’ll enjoy it more, get better performance and know you’ve helped keep the environmental footprint smaller by your choice.
Think of it this way: The most sustainable paddle is the one you’re still using 10 or 15 or 20 years from now. That’s good stewardship.
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or bbinfo@bendingbranches.com, or choose our online chat option.
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