Material The reBoard Cutting Board Review

We purchased the Material The reBoard so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

A durable cutting board is an essential tool for all kitchens, but eco-conscious cooks may shy away from plastic kitchen tools—until they see the reBoard, that is. 

The Material The reBoard offers all the conveniences of plastic cutting boards, but it’s constructed from 75 percent recycled plastic, making it a more sustainable option. We’re supportive of anything that’s less harmful to the environment, but we wanted to know if this cutting board performs well in the kitchen. We put it to work for several weeks of cutting, slicing, and dicing, and here’s what we found.

Design: Modern and earth-friendly

The reBoard is good-looking enough to display on the counter or even use as a serving tray. It’s available in four earthy tones reminiscent of a day at the beach. We chose the color “Tide,” which is a soft, light blue, and honestly, we couldn’t help but feel a little bit more relaxed just by looking at the soothing hue.

The reBoard has a textured surface on both sides and smooth edges. We appreciate the subtlety of the brand logo—a simple “M” etched in the corner—as it doesn’t distract from the colorful aesthetic. There’s also a hole in one corner of the board, which comes in handy for picking it up and also lets you hang it for storage.

This cutting board measures about 15 inches long and 11 inches wide, which fit nicely on our countertops and was easily tucked into cabinets. The cutting board feels just right, as well—it’s not too heavy or light, and not too thick or thin.

The reBoard lacks a couple standard cutting board features, though. There are no feet or rubber grips to keep the board in place during use, and there’s also no groove around the edges to collect and contain liquids. 

Performance: Versatile and durable

We typically prefer the feel of wood or bamboo beneath our knives, so we were surprised at how much we enjoyed using the plastic reBoard for chopping an assortment of foods. We usually reserve plastic cutting boards for preparing raw poultry and meat, but to get a good feel for its performance, we used the reBoard to slice strawberries, kiwi, and bananas for fruit salad; chop onions, celery, and broccoli for soup; trim raw chicken breasts; and slice hard-boiled eggs. 

We found the reBoard provided a nice, flat surface for cutting and felt sturdy during use. It didn’t slip or move around too much on our tiled countertops, but some reviewers do have this issue. To help stabilize the board, you can always place a damp paper towel beneath it.

We didn’t notice any etching or knife marks on our reBoard, even after a few weeks of use, as the textured surface camouflages any nicks your knives may leave behind.

Material: Better for the environment

Typically cutting boards are made from either wood or plastic, and while wood cutting boards are less dulling for knives, they require more care to keep in good condition and can’t be sanitized in the dishwasher. Plastic cutting boards, on the other hand, tend to be more lightweight, versatile, and easier to clean. However, the downside is that plastic isn’t an environmentally friendly choice—unless it’s the reBoard. 

The reBoard is made from 75 percent recycled plastic and 25 percent renewable sugarcane. Material uses scraps leftover from the production of other kitchenware to create the cutting boards, and the brand claims the sugarcane lends extra strength and durability to the plastic.

Of course, when we’re talking about plastic tools in the kitchen, many people (ourselves included) look for BPA-free construction, and Material’s website description fails to mention whether this cutting board contains BPA. If this is a concern for you, it might be best to contact Material’s customer service before you buy.

Cleaning: Quick and easy

Most plastic cutting boards are advertised as dishwasher-safe, and the reBoard is no exception. When possible, we usually avoid running plastic kitchen tools through the dishwasher, as the harsh cycles can decrease their lifespan, but we do like to sanitize plastic cutting boards after contact with raw meat, poultry, and seafood. 

Most of the time we cleaned the reBoard by hand with warm, soapy water, and we found a quick rinse was all that was needed to remove most messes. Water seemed to roll right off the cutting board, making drying time next to nothing.

We also took the added step of wiping the board with white vinegar just in case there are any lingering odors, like after chopping garlic. 

Price: Expensive for plastic

A single reBoard from Material will set you back $35, and compared to other plastic cutting boards, this price is high. Some of today’s best-selling plastic cutting boards from well-known kitchen brands are priced between $10 and $15, and for around $20, you can purchase a whole set of plastic cutting boards. However, if you prefer eco-friendly kitchen tools, the recycled plastic and sugarcane construction may be worth the extra expense.

If you like having multiple cutting boards, Material also offers a three-pack of reBoards for $80, which brings the individual price of each cutting board down to around $26. If the price still seems a little steep, you might take solace in knowing Material backs all their products with a 60-day trial period and lifetime guarantee, so you can get your money back if the reBoard doesn’t work for you.

Material The reBoard vs. OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board

At less than $20, the OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board is considerably more affordable than the reBoard. Both are constructed of dishwasher-safe plastic, but only the reBoard is made from repurposed plastic—an important distinction if your top priority is creating a sustainable kitchen. 

The plastic of both products should do a good job of not absorbing odors and staying scratch-free, but the OXO cutting board features rubber grips on the sides to provide non-slip stability. It also has a grooved edge along one side to catch and contain liquids. The other notable difference between these cutting boards is purely aesthetic—the OXO is a basic white plastic that's considerably plain and less attractive than the colorful good looks of the reBoard.