Our Story

We care about the planet and the people in it. This is why we created a Fair Trade surf hat made from recycled material that lasts and why we partnered with a Fair Trade Certified custom manufacturer that commits to rigorous codes of social and environmental conduct.

 

Recycled Polyester

As with most materials which make environmental claims, there are pros and cons to using recycled polyester. Giving a second life to plastics and keeping them from going to the landfill and the ocean is certainly a good thing. Compared to virgin polyester, recycled polyester takes fewer resources to make. Unfortunately, polyester sheds microplastics. In fact, laundry is a top source of microplastic pollution. The higher the friction during a wash load, the more microplastics are released. Fortunately, our surf cap does not need to be a part of your laundry. We recommend rinsing with fresh, cool water after each use and line drying. You may spot clean as needed.

The recycled polyester we use is 100% recycled polyester and certified by the Global Recycles Textile Standard (GRS). Even though using recycled polyester is not a perfect solution, by choosing a recycled material, we help reduce our reliance on new, virgin materials and we believe that is a step in the right direction.

 

Sublimation Printing

Our caps use a printing method called sublimation printing which uses heat to transfer ink onto fabric. Ink is printed on large sheets of paper, then laid on top of white fabric. The fabric and paper are run through a heat press which vaporizes the ink (directly from a solid to a gas state) and chemically binds the ink to the fibers of the polyester, ensuring no ink is wasted and there is no contact with waterways.

Fabric is printed using an Epson SureColor Dye sublimation printer which is RoHS compliant and can be recycled through Epson’s recycling program. We use inks certified by Eco Passport by OEKO-Tex.

Not only does this process produce vibrant, long-lasting, fade-resistant prints, it is much less of a burden on the environment than traditional methods. It uses almost zero water and produces less waste compared to other printing methods, especially those done by hand. The dyes used are also non-toxic and do not produce harmful fumes.

 

 

Fair Trade Certified Manufacturer

Our custom manufacturing partner is a social enterprise in Nepal with a mission to create jobs that empower marginalized people to fresh starts and fulfilled lives. They manufacture Fair Trade guaranteed products using materials selected for their low environmental impact, as verified by independent fabric certifications. They employ marginalized people and survivors of exploitation in Nepal. Staff receive technical skills training, life-skills training (budgeting, relationships, literacy, numeracy, health & nutrition), access to counseling, school scholarships for children, healthcare, and employer-matched savings in a positive work environment.

Packaging

As much as possible, we have chosen less environmentally harmful packaging options for these surf caps. Instead of plastic string, we used cloth string to attach the paper tag to the cap. The surf caps were bulk packed into home compostable polybags in cardboard boxes for their journey from Nepal to the US. Polybags are made from cornstarch and tested by TUV for home compostability. Home compostable means that the bag is broadly decomposable and will biodegrade under most disposal situations. Branding on the bags include clear instructions on how to dispose safely.

When orders are fulfilled, the surf caps are packed into polybags made from ocean bound plastics. We use paper gummed tape to seal the cardboard shipping boxes.

As we grow, we hope to replace the post office supplied plastic label pouches with a compostable option.

Founder's Story

I love surfing, but the one thing I do not like about it is…sun damage to my skin. Sitting in the sunny line up, while stuffing my wetsuit with pieces of plastic that floated by, I wished for a special surf cap that could somehow use up these pieces of plastic. It would need to withstand wipeouts and duck dives, not make me look like a total kook, be able to flip up and not block my peripheral vision, could be worn out of the water (after sesh surf skate, anyone?), AND have cool design options. Was that really too much to ask? No surf cap that I had tried checked off all of these boxes.

Keep the Conversation Going 

We are always open to feedback and suggestions, as reducing environmental impact is a complex topic and is an ongoing conversation. We look forward to continuing to improve our environmental and social responsibility. Chime in and share your thoughts!