Andrew Doheney in the Comicazee. Right after this hack, he recyled his boardshorts and planted a garden.
Each season, we're seeing more and more great products that aren't going to contribute to choking out the earth in the way they are made, what they are made of, where they go, and how they are transported.
Unless we pick up plastic debris on the beach, chop it up, make it into textiles, sew together a trunk shape, and create our own graphic using organic blackberries, we're all consumers and continuing the process.
But there are certainly ways to lessen our impact. And it's great to see the major surf companies create campaigns to make us more educated consumers and give us better products. Volcom's always had an interesting way of doing things, and their V.Co-Logical campaign is a commendable program.
First off, like most companies with any kind of a conscience. They've got this season's recycled plastic bottle Comicazee and Henry 4TH boardshorts, plus a full line of t's, botton downs, and jeans (for skinny-butt hipsters.) All of the t's are 100% organic. They've scaled back some of the packaging and developed a relationship with the Carbon Trust.
"It's hard to say how long before everything can fall under the V.Co-logical classification," says Volcom's Sabori, (the brains behind V.co-logic) "At this point, we're continuing to educate ourselves and our customers, so hopefully it's sooner than later. We definitely don't want this to be a fringe program forever. In fact, we've already taken lessons learned from the line and put them into our core line — all our slim fit tees are now blended with 5% organic. Doesn't sound like a lot, but at a bulk level, that's a decent contribution to the movement. Moving in the right direction for sure."
Basic Needs, not including barrels.
Back in May, they took part in Eco Fabulous, a conscious fashion show. They're also giving back 1% to the planet for all V.co sales. And I am officially putting the pressure on them to make that official Volcompany policy across the board.
But this summer, Volcom is also supporting the Basic Needs Speaker Series presented by The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano.
Each speaker will tackle a different basic need of humans and how we meet those needs without rogering Ma Nature. The first one went down on June 18th, when Michael Besancon of Whole Foods spoke on how our food effects the environment.
"It was great to meet such an influential person in the natural foods game. His history runs very deep, and to be able to open up a dialogue with him in such an intimate setting was a great opportunity," adds Sabori.
The second speaker, Emily Pilloton, of Project H Design discusses water issues next week (July 9th.) Then on August 13th, Mathew Miller of Appropriate Architecture, will talk about our housing, or the need for shelter.
Then the whole thing wraps up on August 27th with clothing needs. This will feature four speakers, Erik Joule from Levis, Johnny Schillereff of Element Skateboards, Roian Atwood from Sole Technologies, and Volcom's own Sabori.
"My hope is that the speakers will inspire action surrounding these issues to combat a small piece of the ongoing environmental needs in our local communities and around the world," explains Evan Marks, of the Ecology Center.
All speaking events run from 6:30 to 9, $15 for Center members and $25 for non.
Plus, Volcom's got the 'Recycle Your Old Boardshorts' program. Have you seen this yet? Your local Volcom dealer should have a cardboard bin set up. You can drop off your old trunks (just wash out the monkey-butt first) and they will be given to a less fortunate surfer. You could win a year's worth of sustainable Volcom products. Plus, they don't just get thrown out and take up space in a landfill.
Pretty dope. Keep an eye out for the Stone in the Leaf.
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Contributors
Jon Coen
Jon is from New Jersey and continues to reside there with his wife and dog—which means occasional empty barrels and the occasional session in the snow.The state isn't as dirty as people might think, but he'll let them keep believing that.
Jake Howard
Jake lives, writes, and surfs in San Clemente, California. He spent his formative gremlin years surfing points north of San Francisco, and for the last 10 years has been contently surviving behind the Orange Curtain.
Kimball Taylor
Author of Return by Water, as well as books on Jeffreys Bay and Pipeline, Kimball drives a red hot Camero, and back in the '70s, he used to party with your Dad.
Daniel Ikaika Ito
Daniel surfs like a hippie, but dresses like a homie. The Native Hawaiian originally hails from Hilo, but now resides in Honolulu. He enjoys twin-fins, new sneakers and being ESPN's "Cuz On The Scene" in the 50th State.
Jason Kenworthy
About as majestic as a turkey vulture, when he's not shlepping his lens around the world or looking for road kill, Jason can be found at home in Dana Point tending to his growing brood.
