Comments on: What is surfing #47: Beware of Green Marketing http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216 - stripping surfing back down to its most elemental form Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:24:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Cody http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-5599 Cody Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:32:37 +0000 http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216#comment-5599 Hi. I'm a student at San Diego State University and I enjoyed reading the post above. This is a very tricky topic as "a few" deceptive campaigns spoil the integrity of the rest. One campaign that I'd like to promote is 5%Blue. Being a student I have to purchase textbooks for the courses I'm taking. Now, by logging onto www.5percentblue.com FIRST, 5% of my total purchase on Amazon will be directly donated to the Surfrider Foundation. 5% doesn't sound like much, but year-to-date I've spent about $650 on textbooks, which equates to $32.50. This won't save the world but it's $32.50 more than if I ordered my textbooks from the bookstore? You've gotta start somewhere. Hi. I’m a student at San Diego State University and I enjoyed reading the post above. This is a very tricky topic as “a few” deceptive campaigns spoil the integrity of the rest. One campaign that I’d like to promote is 5%Blue. Being a student I have to purchase textbooks for the courses I’m taking. Now, by logging onto http://www.5percentblue.com FIRST, 5% of my total purchase on Amazon will be directly donated to the Surfrider Foundation. 5% doesn’t sound like much, but year-to-date I’ve spent about $650 on textbooks, which equates to $32.50. This won’t save the world but it’s $32.50 more than if I ordered my textbooks from the bookstore? You’ve gotta start somewhere.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-5228 Daniel Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:24:26 +0000 http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216#comment-5228 Please do not confuse degradation with biodegradation. To clarify: Biodegradability is the process by which a substance is broken down into its original organic components by living organisms (usually bacteria). Many (not all, but most) plastics cannot be broken down biologically and thus do not biodegrade, rather they are broken down mechanically or are photo-degraded (i.e. broken down by sunlight). Photo-degradation does not return plastics back to their original hydrocarbon or organic constituents (which by the way many hydrocarbons CAN be biodegraded via bacteria), rather it simply results in ever smaller pieces of plastic! One catastrophic result of this process it the alarming ratio of plastic to zooplankon in the north Pacific gyre (check out this disturbing video by Patagonia for a more on this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Verhi88kR60). Please do not confuse degradation with biodegradation.
To clarify:
Biodegradability is the process by which a substance is broken down into its original organic components by living organisms (usually bacteria). Many (not all, but most) plastics cannot be broken down biologically and thus do not biodegrade, rather they are broken down mechanically or are photo-degraded (i.e. broken down by sunlight). Photo-degradation does not return plastics back to their original hydrocarbon or organic constituents (which by the way many hydrocarbons CAN be biodegraded via bacteria), rather it simply results in ever smaller pieces of plastic! One catastrophic result of this process it the alarming ratio of plastic to zooplankon in the north Pacific gyre (check out this disturbing video by Patagonia for a more on this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Verhi88kR60).

]]> By: Pete http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-5223 Pete Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:16:13 +0000 http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216#comment-5223 Excellent points and I'm glad someone has finally taken it upon themselves to make it. The greenest way to consume is minimally. Its like buying a hybrid car... Should it seems like the eco thing to do but its even better to hang on to your existing car and treat it well rather than buy a brand new car that probably used more energy in its production than it will ever expend in tis life time... Excellent points and I’m glad someone has finally taken it upon themselves to make it. The greenest way to consume is minimally. Its like buying a hybrid car… Should it seems like the eco thing to do but its even better to hang on to your existing car and treat it well rather than buy a brand new car that probably used more energy in its production than it will ever expend in tis life time…

]]> By: AM_Glass http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-5222 AM_Glass Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:13:09 +0000 http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216#comment-5222 Back when I didn't have any money and worked at an outdoor equipment type retail store I would be tempted all the time. I ended up asking myself, "How will this help my surfing?" and never buying a thing! Back when I didn’t have any money and worked at an outdoor equipment type retail store I would be tempted all the time. I ended up asking myself, “How will this help my surfing?” and never buying a thing!

]]> By: Kat http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-5211 Kat Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:45:44 +0000 http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216#comment-5211 http://www.celsias.com/2007/11/19/the-six-sins-of-greenwashing/ This is a really good report on deceptive marketing! For example, Billabong are launching a few products under a new 'Design for Humanity' label, which will donate to Surf Aid International. Great idea, but I couldn't find the percentage of proceeds that will be donated anywhere in the press kit. I'm not saying it's not a great venture, just that I'd like to see the plain facts, so I can consume smartly when I've decided I do need to! http://www.celsias.com/2007/11/19/the-six-sins-of-greenwashing/

This is a really good report on deceptive marketing!

For example, Billabong are launching a few products under a new ‘Design for Humanity’ label, which will donate to Surf Aid International. Great idea, but I couldn’t find the percentage of proceeds that will be donated anywhere in the press kit. I’m not saying it’s not a great venture, just that I’d like to see the plain facts, so I can consume smartly when I’ve decided I do need to!

]]> By: Corran http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-5177 Corran Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:56:44 +0000 http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216#comment-5177 You make an extremely important, and valid point in this article. And I agree totally with many of the points. If you already have a watch, should you replace it with one that donates (or is made from materials) which help the environment? No, you should not. You should keep the watch you have. The same apples to Hybrid cars, and Eco Surfboards. But if your watch is broken, or you don't have one, and you need one, should you buy one which either donates to the environment, or helps by using more sustainable materials and practices over one which is not "green"? Yes you should! I'll sell 1000 surfboards worldwide next year, whether they are "green" or not. Some of these to first time surfers. Some to surfers who's boards are worn and broken. Some to surfers who have outgrown their current shape, or need alternate shapes for different conditions. Whether my boards are eco friendly or not, I'll sell 1000 of them. Of the 600 000 hand shaped boards worldwide that are sold yearly, or the 800 000 mass produced boards (so a total of 1 400 000 boards a year), how many end up in dumps or waste? How many are sustainable. Less than 10 000? So every "green" surfboard sold helps. Surfers will surf. They need boards. They will continue to buy boards. But that process does not have to as bad as it currently is for the environment. Sustainable low impact materials, which are not petroleum based, have minimal VOC emissions, are as bio degradable as possible, AND (as important) last a long time so it does not need to be replaced as often, all go to helping making the "need" (if you want to surf you need a board) for boards have as little negative impact as possible. But surfers should NOT retire their current board to buy a "green" board just because it's green. If your current board is in good shape, and rides well for you, then keep it. Don't add to the problem by disposing of it and getting a new one. But when it's time to replace that board, for any of the reasons stated above, then you should really be buying a board that has MINIMAL environmental impact. The same applies for all the gear you need for surfing, including the car you drive (or bicycle) to get there. I believe that this is the aim of many companies like 2Imagine. It's not to sell MORE boards, but to sell boards which have an absolute minimal environmental impact WHEN one is sold. Great article that. It misses the point on many things, but it hits the point dead on with others! Corran You make an extremely important, and valid point in this article. And I agree totally with many of the points.

If you already have a watch, should you replace it with one that donates (or is made from materials) which help the environment?

No, you should not. You should keep the watch you have. The same apples to Hybrid cars, and Eco Surfboards.

But if your watch is broken, or you don’t have one, and you need one, should you buy one which either donates to the environment, or helps by using more sustainable materials and practices over one which is not “green”?

Yes you should!

I’ll sell 1000 surfboards worldwide next year, whether they are “green” or not. Some of these to first time surfers. Some to surfers who’s boards are worn and broken. Some to surfers who have outgrown their current shape, or need alternate shapes for different conditions. Whether my boards are eco friendly or not, I’ll sell 1000 of them. Of the 600 000 hand shaped boards worldwide that are sold yearly, or the 800 000 mass produced boards (so a total of 1 400 000 boards a year), how many end up in dumps or waste? How many are sustainable. Less than 10 000? So every “green” surfboard sold helps. Surfers will surf. They need boards. They will continue to buy boards. But that process does not have to as bad as it currently is for the environment. Sustainable low impact materials, which are not petroleum based, have minimal VOC emissions, are as bio degradable as possible, AND (as important) last a long time so it does not need to be replaced as often, all go to helping making the “need” (if you want to surf you need a board) for boards have as little negative impact as possible.

But surfers should NOT retire their current board to buy a “green” board just because it’s green. If your current board is in good shape, and rides well for you, then keep it. Don’t add to the problem by disposing of it and getting a new one. But when it’s time to replace that board, for any of the reasons stated above, then you should really be buying a board that has MINIMAL environmental impact. The same applies for all the gear you need for surfing, including the car you drive (or bicycle) to get there.

I believe that this is the aim of many companies like 2Imagine. It’s not to sell MORE boards, but to sell boards which have an absolute minimal environmental impact WHEN one is sold.

Great article that. It misses the point on many things, but it hits the point dead on with others!

Corran

]]> By: Brownfish http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-5161 Brownfish Tue, 27 Nov 2007 06:10:43 +0000 http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216#comment-5161 All incredibly good points and extremely well written. Thanks. All incredibly good points and extremely well written. Thanks.

]]> By: Hound http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-4958 Hound Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:22:26 +0000 http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216#comment-4958 Great points on this last post, particularly that regarding the tide watches, and the part about surfing only being about riding waves. I also liked how you developed those questions. They are good to keep in mind and will be on my mind when shopping. Another thing to keep in mind is when you do need new clothes do you have to go a surf shop or other retailer? Why not Goodwill or something similar where you would actually be recycling the clothing? In my community, we have a fantastic Goodwill store where on several occasions I have found gently used or never used clothing for sale. Pants and shirts are about $3.50 each so not only do I save money but I'm reusing something that's already been made. Keep in mind, a trip to Goodwill will not always yield great results and some of the clothes are total duds, but heck, a trip to the surf shop (or any retailer)is essentially the same. Great points on this last post, particularly that regarding the tide watches, and the part about surfing only being about riding waves. I also liked how you developed those questions. They are good to keep in mind and will be on my mind when shopping.

Another thing to keep in mind is when you do need new clothes do you have to go a surf shop or other retailer? Why not Goodwill or something similar where you would actually be recycling the clothing? In my community, we have a fantastic Goodwill store where on several occasions I have found gently used or never used clothing for sale. Pants and shirts are about $3.50 each so not only do I save money but I’m reusing something that’s already been made. Keep in mind, a trip to Goodwill will not always yield great results and some of the clothes are total duds, but heck, a trip to the surf shop (or any retailer)is essentially the same.

]]> By: steve http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216&cpage=1#comment-4918 steve Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:27:49 +0000 http://www.phoresia.org/?p=216#comment-4918 I couldn't agree more. You only have control over yourself. Limit your footprint on earth. But be awars of the BS out there. There's a few new "green" or "eco" surf companies out there that are just using it as a marketing tool and aren't telling you the whole truth. Deceptive marketing pisses me off. The term, bio-degradable is totally misleading. Everything is biodegradable. It's just a word for the rate at which something breaks down. There is no governing body and it's a total free for all. Those plastic bags you get at the store are bio-degradable...in about 500 years. Non toxic is another word that's not telling you the whole truth. Water is toxic in large quantities. Remember that lady who died from the radio contest? Show me the tests that say your product is non toxic to fish, coral, and sea life. Also, Coca Cola is non-toxic, but do they have to advertize that? Oil is 100% natural. Don't believe the hype. I couldn’t agree more. You only have control over yourself. Limit your footprint on earth. But be awars of the BS out there.

There’s a few new “green” or “eco” surf companies out there that are just using it as a marketing tool and aren’t telling you the whole truth. Deceptive marketing pisses me off.

The term, bio-degradable is totally misleading. Everything is biodegradable. It’s just a word for the rate at which something breaks down. There is no governing body and it’s a total free for all. Those plastic bags you get at the store are bio-degradable…in about 500 years.

Non toxic is another word that’s not telling you the whole truth. Water is toxic in large quantities. Remember that lady who died from the radio contest? Show me the tests that say your product is non toxic to fish, coral, and sea life. Also, Coca Cola is non-toxic, but do they have to advertize that?

Oil is 100% natural.

Don’t believe the hype.

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