It was 2005-2006 and we were pushing for a small part of our line to be a little something different. Back then, we weren’t referring to it as New Future, and we definitely weren’t using the word Sustainability, but we were sure that efforts in lowering our environmental footprint in regards to our product line was something that we just had a responsibility to do.
At the time, we called it our Verde line and it was a collection of organic cotton tees, wallets and totes as well as hemp hats and reusable water containers that were branded a bit differently than our conventional Volcom items. Identified by a green leaf/half
Vintage Verde
stone, you knew by looking at it that something new was going on. If you’re a die-hard, you might still be cherishing one or more of these items.
As it ends up, the Verde line was short lived, and in it’s place was a re-launching of the campaign and commitment named the V.Co-logical Series, with the first marketing message being “Push More, Drive Less”. Out of this renewed energy came a true commitment to this segment of our line as well as our partnership with 1% for the Planet – a growing global movement of more than 1400 companies that donate 1% for their sales to a network of environmental organizations worldwide.
Repurposed Bag
Since 2006, 1% of all the sales from our Volcom’s V.Co-logical Series have gone directly to organizations that we have selected as partners in our commitment to building a New Future. Each year the list of recipients has grown, and for the most part, we’ve seen significant growth in our contribution pool each year.
Our very first 1% check went out to Save the Waves Coalition, and since then, our list has grown to a selection of multiple organizations that are truly doing the heavy lifting in regards to the efforts that it will take to build a sustainable future for us all.
For our 2010 V.Co-logical Series contribution we chose to support the following organizations:
Volcom US:
* Alaska Wilderness League, Washington DC
* Save the Waves Coalition, California
* North Shore Community Land Trust, Hawaii
* The Ecology Center, California
* Surfrider Foundation, California
* Protect Our Winters, California
* Newport Bay Conservancy, California
* Stratford Ecological Center, Ohio
Volcom Europe:
Volcom Brazil:
AMAN – Association for Protection of the Northeast Atlantic
Volcom Australia:
Volcom Indonesia:
While our V.Co-logical Series line is stronger, and more diverse than ever it’s the overall philosophy behind it that is making the most impact.
Organic Cotton Plaids
You see, what we’ve learned in developing this line, and choosing fabrics and processes for it, we’re beginning to take to the rest of our line: a 10% organic blend in our S/S Basic T-Shirt line, replacing the PU coating in our polyester backpacks with a less toxic TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), and so on and so forth.
We’re proud of what our V.Co-logical Series has become and we’re looking forward to our commitment to the 1% for the Planet program growing.
So if you like the idea of what’s going on here, be sure to keep an eye out for the V.Co-logical Series logo and remember that with the purchase of, and/or the request of, each item you’re supporting a give back program dedicated to sustainability education, outreach and advocacy by way of the organizations listed above, and we’re sure, many more to come.
To get a full idea of what the 1% for the Planet partnership is all about check out [one percent] of the story here and be sure to check back at the New Future Blog or on our Facebook page for one-on-ones with each of our partner organizations, and for upcoming details on our Sustainability & CSR programs.
About Volcom’s V.Co-logical Series
Our V.Co-Logical Series represents Volcom’s environmentally conscious movement towards sustainability and 1% of every dollar you spend in this category goes to select environmental protection organizations by way of our 1% for the Planet Membership.
About 1% for the Planet
1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of more than 1400 companies that donate 1% for their sales to a network of more than 2,500 environmental organizations worldwide. Learn more at www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.
Push More, Drive Less
V.Co-logical Display
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