Portugal holds competition to manufacture surfboards from coronavirus waste.

This has been an atypical year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought with it a major crisis in the global economy, as well as thousands of deaths and millions of people sickened by the virus. However, humanity has somewhat forgotten the environmental impact and the pollution caused by waste from protective equipment used to combat the disease, which could have serious consequences.

The improper handling of waste such as gloves, masks, bottles of alcohol gel, among many other materials for protection against the virus is polluting and could further affect the environment.

The Portuguese Department of Tourism conducted a study which determined that 129 billion face masks and 65 billion plastic gloves are used every month worldwide, and many of these items end up in the sea, causing significant pollution.

Due to the very negative impact on the environment that this waste is having due to Covid-19, the Portuguese country decided to take action and, taking advantage of the stop of the world surfing tour (CT), decided to open a contest called " The Unwanted Shapes ", which will try to gather the best boards created with waste material.

The judges for this competition are important shapers worldwide, namely: Peter Mel, Jon Pyzel and Márcio Zouvi, Timmy Patterson, Christiaan Bradley and James Cheal.

The winner of the competition will be announced during the World Surf League's MEO Pro Portugal, which will be held in Peniche in February 2021, and the creation will be used at the event.

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero