There is no hiding the fact that eco-friendly and sustainability are two concepts that have swept the nation. Divert your eyes, put those squishy earbuds into your ears and crank up your iPod, it doesn’t matter. Earth-friendly products and thinking are here to stay. And for good reason. As our world society of almost 7 billion people becomes more aware of our compounding waste and the finite nature of our natural resources, changes have to be made in the way we go about our daily lives of consuming if we truly wish to sustain. The surfboard may not be the model of eco-friendly, but the surf industry is making headway toward supplying the sport with sustainable products to match the pure and natural endeavor. As the environmentally conscious wave breaks and pushes to shore, ripples stream through the community and businesses, organizations and people do what they can to make this world a more sustainable place to lessen their eco-footprint on the Earth.

Education and activism are key in this move toward sustainability and we at FSM have compiled a broad spectrum of current examples of environmentally conscience cohorts that exemplify what it is to be eco-friendly. Take this issue outside and give it a read in the garden, on the beach or under a tree. Take a deep breath, look around at our beautiful home and roll around the importance of preservation in your head.




CONSCIENCE COALITION
Founder of Patagonia Yvon Chouinard and fisherman Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, took their successful business models and their passion for environmentalism and concocted a non-profit group dedicated to the sustainability of the environment and business. 1% For The Planet was launched in 2001 from a Patagonia store in San Francisco and since then has become a marketing force of over 700 companies strong.

While individuals can do things like switch to compact fluorescent bulbs and conserve water, 1% For The Planet offers businesses a chance to take a role in protecting the environment by donating 1% of their total annual sales to an environmental group or groups around the world. Participating companies donate directly to the charity of their own choice. No middleman involved here.

Jack Johnson became the 50th member of 1%FTP in 2004 with his music and film companies, Brushfire Records and The Moonshine Conspiracy. Surfboard manufacturers Firewire Surfboards and Homeblown, an environmentally conscious surfboard manufacturer in San Diego, have signed on, as well as Volcom Stone.
You can view all the members of 1%FTP on their website as well as find out how to become a member yourself. Or show your support by spending your hard-earned consumer dollars with the companies that are looking out for you.

www.onepercentfortheplanet.org



CAN’T LIVE WITH IT, CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT
Developing eco-friendly boards
Since Clark Foam closed its doors in Dec. 2005, the surf industry was forced to look at other options for surfboard manufacturing. The frantic rush to capitalize on the vacuum created by the lack of Clark Foam’s classic polyurethane (PU) blanks propelled epoxy blanks, expanded polystyrene blanks (EPS), wooden parabolic rails and other experimental constructions into the limelight.

The burgeoning green movement just happened to coincide with this paradigm shift in surfboard construction and some surfers are thinking a little harder about the environmental impact their toxic boards have on our so-called eco-friendly sport. Some surfboard manufacturers, like Fletcher Chouinard Designs, shaper for Patagonia, are claiming that EPS boards are the greener choice. The EPS blanks last longer, and the resins used to glass them are 75% less toxic than standard PU boards. Producing EPS boards tends to be more of an exact science, so much less materials are used and wasted from beginning to end.

Green Light Surfboard Supply and Homeblown US have taken surfboard production to the next level of sustainability. Green Light technologies utilize bamboo, a renewable resource. They specialize in bamboo glassing fabrics instead of fiberglass, laminate bamboo stringers, which are stronger and more flexible than the average stringer and bamboo fins. In addition, they form leash plugs and fin boxes with bio-plastics, made from biodegradable corn-based bio-resin. Homeblown US has channeled their energy in blanks made with Biofoam, plant-base polyurethane foam. At least half of Biofoam’s ingredients originate from plant resins. The blanks are supposed to be stronger, have better flex, and are 10 times more waterproof than regular PU blanks.

www.greenlightsurfsupply.com
www.homeblownus.com

Fact Box:
Snowboard and skateboard manufacturers have jumped on the green bandwagon as well and companies like Arborsports are leading the charge. They use reclaimed materials as often as possible and use only renewable resources like cork, solid bamboo and paulownia for their wood products. Arborsports has gone the extra mile by donating 5% of its profits annually to the Nature Conservancy’s Hawai‘i-based efforts, the Surfrider Foundation and the Rainforest Action Network. www.arborsports.com



GREEN RESIN
Eco-friendly ideas and products have been popping up left and right as more and more citizens of planet Earth have begun realizing the importance of our planet’s health. It’s getting easier to make your imprint smaller, and now, thanks to the people at Fluid Earth, surfers worldwide have a new way to help Mama Earth out: eco-friendly fins.

Most fins are glassed with polyester, epoxy or vinylester resin, which all contain harmful toxic compounds. Fluid Earths fins stay away from the yucky stuff, and instead use a plant based resin that’s specifically engineered for high quality performance and also has a fraction of the environmental impact. Their product line currently includes a long board fin and both long and short board fin boxes. Designs are being finalized for a thruster system that will be compatible with other popular fin systems.

The company is committed to neutralizing their carbon footprint, and they apply that commitment to all levels of production and distribution of their products. They’ve even got a recycling program for the fins and they donate a portion of proceeds to grass roots environmental organizations.

Fluidearth.org




SAINTS OF NATURE
There are those who want to do a little something for the environment—you know, recycle, buy organic, stop leaving the lights on, maybe even buy a Prius. And then there are some who devote their whole lives to the cause. Meet John and Juliana Leong and Matthew Bauer of Pono Pacific, conscience souls dedicated to the stewardship of Earth.

Their company specializes in creating natural resource management solutions and cost effective ecosystem restoration. Their projects include trail building/cleaning, erosion prevention in the mountains, replanting native flora, restoring natural forests, protecting endangered animal species and predator/invasive species control. An example of their valuable work is their tireless efforts to eradicate invasive plants such as Miconia calvescens. This fast growing invasive species can swiftly out compete other species and become the only thriving vegetation in an area. The plants shallow root system lends toward soil erosion during heavy rains, preventing rainwater from absorbing into the soil and trickling down into our islands’ underground aquifers.

In other words, Pono Pacific is helping, among many other environmental projects, to save our drinking water. The company also focuses on educational programs for the youth in order to further perpetuate the conservation of our island home. For more info on how to join a team, volunteer, or contract their services, go to www.ponopacific.com.





FROM ROCKS TO RUBBER
Leading the way in the surf industry’s current push for greener products is artsy newcomers Matuse. By blending art with function, as their motto goes, Matuse has proven that oil/petroleum based neoprene rubbers (which most wetsuits are made of) are behind the times. Using their patented Yamamoto rubber, or “Geoprene,” Matuse has created an enviro-friendly wetsuit made of over 99.7% calcium carbonate, aka limestone. That’s right—rocks.

The material retrieval process in order to build these suits is a lot easier on Mother Earth as opposed to sucking out her diminishing oil for neoprene. Also, due to this new technological innovation, Matuse’s Yamamoto rubber is thinner, lighter, and doesn’t absorb as much water as conventional wetsuits, thus the rider feels lighter while surfing. The Geoprene is comprised of an independent closed-cell structure, with each cell filled with nitrogen gas, enabling more thermal retention so you can stay warmer when the winter trades are howling.

With professional Hawai‘i riders like Mikala and Daniel Jones, Jamie Sterling, Jason Frederico and Flynn Novak on board, the suits must work.

Matuse.com



Proclamation Preservation
The land dispute over Oak Tree’s interest to develop Kawela Bay has been a tug of war between environmentalists and developers costing millions of dollars in legal fees. In a surprise move, Governor Linda Lingle, at her annual State of the State Address on Jan. 21, declared that the State would pursue buying the Turtle Bay Resort and surrounding properties. If Lingle succeeds, it would effectively protect Kawela Bay from development and preserve the rural nature of the North Shore. The community and even the resort management were completely surprised by the proclamation.

Local residents and environmentalists cheer Lingle's intent to preserve open space in Hawai‘i, but the sheer economics and operational logistics of such a purchase are immense. As part of her plan to draw up the necessary funds she offered to sell the Resort portion of the property, estimated at over 850 acres. A noble effort indeed, but strategists say that the money used would cancel out other pressing economic needs on O‘ahu such as early childhood education, transportation and healthcare.





Eco-apparel guide
Hands down, the boardsports industry has embraced the green movement. It seems almost every major label has a witty name for their line of eco-friendly products. No matter what catchy name is bestowed upon the clothes, the deed is what counts: constructing products with sustainable and recycled materials and donating a portion of their profits to environmental charities. Here’s a run down of the organic and sustainable apparel scene and it isn’t your grandpa’s Fruit of the Loom.


Tire treads for eco-soles
Footwear has been overhauled in the surf industry and surf companies eager to quench the environmentally conscious public’s thirst are adding new lines of eco-friendly footwear. Sure, the old stand-by sneakers or rubber slippers from China are still available and widely used, but hemp, water-based cements and recycled tires are the cutting edge of new materials.

Durable organic and sustainably grown hemp is widely used for slipper straps and uppers. Sanuk offers a line of eco-footwear called the Hemp Sidewalk Surfer. Styled individually for men and women, both are handmade using sustainable hemp, organic cotton, and recycled EVA "Trelon.” Like all of Sanuk’s slippers, the Sidewalk Surfers are shipped in biodegradable cornstarch bags with recycled cardboard hangers instead of large shoeboxes that dramatically increase shipping volume and fuel consumption, an extra eco-bonus. Ocean Minded also jumped on the hemp bandwagon and offers the Grass Roots shoe, constructed of cork and hemp, and the Long Brothers’ signature slippers, made with organic lute and natural hemp.

Simple has been leading the sustainability push, creating planet-friendly footwear for years, and plans on making all their products 100% sustainable. Their spring 2008 Green Toe collection is their best effort yet, comprised of footwear, bags and wallets for men, women and children. The ToeFoo is their signature slipper made with hemp, bamboo, water-based cements and 100% post consumer paper pulp foot forms. Their shoes ship in biodegradable bags. They also have a line of ecoSNEAKS for men and women made with hemp, recycled bike and car tires, recycled plastic bottles and certified organic cotton. EcoSNEAKS are a fashionable alternative to slippers and are styled as sneakers, slip-ons, ballerina flats and a double-strapped Mary Jane.

Recycled material seems to be the key element in Reef’s Redemption Program and line of footwear. The Rob Machado signature slipper is made with 100% recycled car tire rubber outsoles and the women’s slippers, Lorne and Goda, are made with recycled scrap metal grommets and water-based cement.

Macbeth footwear has taken a slightly different approach toward sustainability. Instead of using materials with recycled content, they construct most of their footwear with vegan materials. Macbeth went vegan as a way to support the ethical decisions and lifestyles of many of the artists and musicians they collaborate with. The Wallister and Manchester are two example of vegan footwear, constructed with vegetable fibers, which wick moisture away from the foot and are extremely durable.

Patagonia has lead the environmentalism and sustainability charge since its inception and continues to innovate sustainable technology. They have a new line of green footwear for green toes: the Gallo has rugged hemp outers, sustainably-tanned pigskin linings and they’ve reduced the use of solvents and adhesives; the Flop Along has an extra-cushiony 15% recycled EVA midsole and a non-marking rubber outsole with 20% recycled content; the Fly Away is their environmentally less harmful slipper with a compression-molded 15% recycled EVA midsole, a 20% recycled rubber seashell outsole and a 100% recycled nylon toe post.




When Cotton Just Doesn’t Cut It
As surfers, we all have our share of cotton t-shirts sitting on the shelf or laying in a pile in the closet. But regular cotton is being swapped out for more sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp and bamboo. Lucy Love has produced some couture fashion with the use of bamboo and organic cotton. The Keri Cardigan and the Kendra Dress are both produced from a renewable resource. Hurley has a couple of 100% organic cotton Tees on the market printed with water-based low impact ink. For the guys they have Costa Rain, Rob Machado Signature Series and for the girls the Global Warming Tee. Quiksilver has released a few green products of their own. They produce a walkshort, woven shirts and T-shirts with 100% organic cotton and a hat that is made from 50% hemp. Ocean Minded tees are made with 100% organic cotton and water-based screen prints and the Ocean Trucker, a hemp canvas hat, is a great way to get your dome out of the sun.

Billabong has developed a new fabric called Eco-Supreme Suede, a recycled and recyclable pure polyester fiber material made from recycled textiles and plastic bottles. The material was originally featured in the Dave Rastovich signature boardshorts, and is now available in the Sonic, Peace Out Phantom and Wolfmother boardshort styles.

The champions of anti-establishment couldn’t stop from getting involved with the green movement. Volcom has released a V.Co-Logical product line. By utilizing sustainable alternatives like 100% certified organic cotton, hemp, vegetable dyes, organic stains and other low impact production methods, the Earth-friendly series—the Sasquach Tee, the women’s En Safari Organic Tee, the Hemped Up Mod Boardshort and the Creedler slipper with organic cotton canvas, recycled rubber, petroleum-free EVA mid-sole—incorporates progressive Volcom styling with an environmentally clear conscience. In addition, Volcom has teamed up with 1% For The Planet, the Surfrider Foundation, Alaska Wilderness League and Save the Waves to name just a few.




Sustainable Collaboration
Project BLUE is a collective of major surf companies dedicated to giving back to the ocean that brings us our surfing happiness. The campaign is a sustainable fundraising effort to help protect the oceans, waves and beaches around the world. The logic is simple. You buy specially designed project BLUE gear and a portion of the proceeds are given to the Surfrider Foundation to fund coastline protection initiatives nationwide.

Dakine has produced two backpacks as part of the project BLUE group. Stuff your stash into one of these stylish totes, the Channel backpack for women and the Interval backpack for men, and feel good knowing your purchase directly supports the Surfrider Foundation. Electric is another project BLUE supporter and offers two styles of shades, the XC-DC XL and the K.O., which benefit the ocean-minded charity. Nixon is known to make some timeless timepieces, even diamond encrusted watches, but they also make a more Earth conscious clock as well. The digital LODOWN is complete with a tide chart and the good feeling that part of the cost of the watch is going toward the Surfrider Foundation. O’Neill has joined the project BLUE campaign offering the Shoreline fleece and tee for men and Aruba, Pacifica and Save The Waves tees for juniors. Reef has a Mick Fanning project BLUE sandal and will donate two dollars per pair sold. Billabong is also part of project BLUE, offering the Sonic and Planet boardshorts to support the collaborative.