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Environment
Since Gravity Skateboards' inception in 1994, CEO Michael Bream has embraced practices friendly to the environment. During our recent conversation, Michael recalled that long before it was commonplace, his parents insisted upon recycling natural resources. He remembers how awkward it felt, carrying old newspapers to the recycle bin - few of his peers were doing this at the time.
Fast forward 30 years and it is evident that Michael's environmental awareness has influenced the culture at Gravity. A walk through their offices in San Marcos, California reveals the efforts they are making in every part of their business:
- In the office they print invoice copies on the reverse side of documents that would normally be discarded.
- At every station in shipping and receiving you will find a box of soft packaging scraps waiting to be reused.
- The skateboard
storage rack that Gravity markets is designed with resource management
at its core, using trimmings from board manufacturing wherever possible
and shipped in its most compact form.
- Suppliers
are continually being pressured to provide them with more environmentally-sustainable
packaging materials.
- All printing and screening is done with water-based inks, protecting the health of the employees. The t-shirt line is transitioning to organic cotton.
Then there are the boards. The Happy Green Feet line includes skateboards made in part from recycled birch, laminates that include Jute or hemp, resins that are free from hazardous airborne particles and decks that get their grip from crushed recycled glass.
Michael says, "Not everything we do is about the money." Some of the practices they put in place produce immediate financial gain. Others may take a little longer, or find value in the enhanced quality of life for his employees and customers.
Earth-Friendly Limestone Wetsuits by Matuse
Following a meeting with Yamamoto Rubber in November of 2005, John Campbell, his father John, and friend Matt Larson started Matuse, a San Diego wetsuit and apparel company. According to Campbell, the opportunity to work with Yamamoto has allowed them to market the highest quality wetsuits available with the least environmental impact possible.
Traditionally, wetsuits have been made from petroleum based, neoprene materials. Matuse wetsuits are made with geoprene; a Yamamoto material made from 99.7% limestone. Over time, decomposing sea creatures have amassed an abundance of this calcium-carbonate substance on the ocean floor near the coast of Japan.
Aside from the environmental advantages of their products, Campbell asserts that a Matuse wetsuit provides superior warmth, greater flexibility, faster drying, and with proper care should last twice as long as conventional wetsuits.
In keeping with their goals to minimize impact to the environment, Matuse is currently working with Yamamoto to establish a recycling procedure for their wetsuits at replacement time.
Action sports recycling at Rerip.com
While working as a lifeguard sergeant in Solana Beach, Lisa Carpenter began her friendship with fellow surfer Meghan Dambacher. With a shared passion for surfing and the environment, in April 2007 they launched Rerip.com -- an exchange for used surf, skate and snow board equipment. With the help of Rerip.com, used board riding equipment can now easily find its way into the hands of someone who can use and enjoy it.
A focus on the environmental impact of board sports has presented additional opportunities for Lisa and Meghan. Last October they teamed up with Biofoam surfboard manufacturer Homeblown US. At this event, Homeblown US agreed to exchange any used surfboard for one of their soy-based foam blanks. Proceeds from the used boards generated over $3,000 for the San Diego Center for Children.
As part of Rerip.com's commitment to promoting environmental awareness, they are currently working on a study of manufacturing and transportation of surfboards to help determine the most resource efficient practices.
On another eco-friendly front, beginning April 10, 2008 Lisa has vowed to go car-less for one month, relying on public transportation to get around. You can follow Lisa's experience at her blog.