Recovered Uncovered: Designing Red's Recovered Collection
Find out more about Red’s new Recovered Collection - Conscious but technologically advanced changing robes made responsibly from surplus fabric.
Red is the New Green: Paddling Towards a Healthier Planet
Written by Lydia Burdett /
At Red, we’ve always believed that adventure and responsibility should go hand in hand. As long-time waterpeople, we know that the places we explore and protect are one and the same. That’s why sustainability isn’t a bolt-on or buzzword for us – it’s baked into everything we make and do.
From paddleboards and paddles to packaging and processes, we’re committed to minimising waste, cutting emissions, and making better choices for people and planet alike. So, here’s how we’re building sustainability into the heart of our boards – and why it matters…
Built to Last – Durable and Repairable
We don’t believe in throwaway culture. Our inflatable paddleboards and adjustable paddles are designed and built for long-term durability, using premium materials that are built to perform year after year. But durability alone isn’t enough – that’s why we’ve made repairability a key part of our product strategy too.
Our warranty rate is very low, down below 0.5%. But in 2023, 95% of those returned products were either repaired or repurposed. From replacement parts to patch kits, we support repair wherever possible – helping paddlers reduce waste and extend the lifetime of their boards. It’s all part of our circular approach: keeping gear in use, out on the water, and out of landfill.
Designed for Disassembly – Respecting the Future
We’re proud to be leading the way in sustainable paddleboard design. Our boards are now being developed with ‘design for disassembly’ principles – meaning they’re easier to take apart at the end of their life for recycling, reusing, or repurposing.
This approach ensures fewer materials are permanently bonded, making it easier to separate and recover parts like deckpads, valves, finboxes and rail battens. By designing with the future in mind, we reduce the environmental impact of eventual disposal and support a more circular, regenerative manufacturing system.
Recyclable Components with a Purpose
Wherever possible, we choose materials that can go again. Our RSS battens, fins and finboxes are now made from 100% virgin plastic – not because we simply love plastic, but because it’s fully recoverable and highly recyclable when used in this way.
This deliberate design decision ensures that the most functional and high-impact components of our boards don’t end up as waste. We’re already working on take-back programmes and exploring the best recycling routes to close the loop even further.
Tracking Our Impact, Reducing Our Footprint
We’ve made real progress in measuring – and reducing – our carbon emissions. In 2024, we cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by over 23% compared to the previous year, thanks to steps like switching 75% of our fleet to HVO fuel.
But we’re not stopping there. We’re also tackling our Scope 3 emissions – the indirect impacts across our supply chain. As boards are one of our biggest contributors to carbon footprint, we’re starting there: using life cycle assessments (LCAs) to break down where emissions come from and how to reduce them. It’s a process we’re applying board by board, paddle by paddle, product by product.
The Circular Economy at Work
We’ve built our entire design philosophy around the circular economy. That means:
- Eliminating waste before it’s created.
- Keeping products in use for longer through repairs, part replacements, and refurbishment.
- Regenerating natural systems, through smarter sourcing and reduced emissions.
This is more than just a design trend – it’s a structural shift in how we think about materials, manufacturing, and product lifecycle. And it’s helping us move toward a more responsible, resilient outdoor industry.
Small Team, Big Steps
As a certified B Corp, we’re legally held to high standards of transparency, social responsibility and environmental performance. We’re proud of our B Corp score of 89.5 – but we’re aiming higher, with a goal of reaching 105 by 2026.
Whether it’s replacing fleet fuel, partnering with third-party auditors like Future Shift, or launching inclusive paddleboarding programmes through the Red Foundation, we’re committed to improving every aspect of how we do business. Read more in our latest Positive Impact Report.
The Water Deserves Better
Every board we design is about more than performance. It’s about connection – to nature, to community, and to a healthier planet. So when you paddle Red, you’re choosing gear that reflects the world we want to live in.
Yet this isn’t the end – it’s a journey we’re still on, board after board, paddle after paddle: one stroke at a time.
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