STAY VOCAL is a reuse apparel brand based in Norwell, Massachusetts in the United States that encourages people to reuse whenever and wherever possible. Reusing materials can yield the same benefits as recycling but without the energy expended to create new products. In addition, STAY VOCAL addresses all manner of ideas that can have a positive impact on our Earth, including animal rights, human rights, and environmental issues. By providing a variety of ReUse products that embrace different functions, fashions, styles, and humor, STAY VOCAL's aim is to ensure a better future for everyone.
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STAY VOCAL was conceived by Alex Eaves in September 2003. Alex first began selling STAY VOCAL (then just called VOCAL) items on Anti-Flag's Death of a Nation Tour (Rise Against, Against Me!, None More Black, etc.) in November 2003. Originally conceived as a skateboarding company, it was not meant to be a ReUse company, however, the first items sold were ReUse t-shirts.[1]
Alex writes that he named the company VOCAL "because too many people sit around and let things happen or just complain about the way things are, without ever doing anything about it. And a lot of people don't even know what problems are really going on. I wanted to start a project that encourages people to use the most important tool that they have when it comes to making change: their voice."[2]
Alex was driven to start STAY VOCAL after working with a non-profit organization called Anti-Racist Action, in addition to touring with numerous bands like 311 and Anti-Flag, who are devoted to positivity and making this world a better place for everyone. He enjoyed seeing the impact on people and how they were inspired to do good things by these groups. As time went on, he realized that he could do even more.[3]
The organization's mission statement is as follows:
| “ | Our mission is to encourage people to reuse whenever and wherever possible. By reusing, we are helping to preserve and protect our planet's precious resources. This is a top priority for every one of us.
Just by the simple task of reusing, you're making positive change. In fact, it's even better than recycling, because it's offering the benefit of having materials be reused, without the energy expended to recycle them into new products. In addition, STAY VOCAL encourages addressing all manner of ideas that can have a positive impact on our Earth, including animal rights, human rights, and environmental issues. By providing a variety of ReUse products that embrace different functions, fashions, styles, and humor, STAY VOCAL is here to help people do just that...stay vocal. We want to help ensure a better future for everyone. We are the voice of a progressive, positive, reusing world.[4] |
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STAY VOCAL's first and most prominent initiative is the promotion of reusing rather than recycling. "T-Shirts. Cardboard Boxes. Paper. These are just some of the items that are thrown away or recycled every day, before ever seeing their full potential."[5] The company's store exclusively sells ReUse items including accessories, art, clothing, literature and music. Most items are either donated by supportive bands or collected at thrift stores.[6]"ReUse clothing is made with worn garments that we washed and treated and later re-printed...ReUse pins are printed on paper taken from recycle bins." [7] In addition to the usual clothing store features, the store also sells one-of-a-kind ReUse Monsters which are environmentally friendly dolls handmade by various artists. Customers can also purchase original T-shirts and jeans which are printed individually rather than as a series.
STAY VOCAL's store even ships its items in reused boxes. It is not uncommon for a STAY VOCAL customer to receive an addressed cereal box in their mail.[8]
In addition to clothing, STAY VOCAL has created a line of reusable bags including organic bags, recycled cotton bags, and specialty bags for music groups and non profit organizations. The Newest addition to STAY VOCAL's line is made from 100% recycled soda bottles.[9]
Most of STAY VOCAL's recognition has come through the music community. Among the various bands that have pledged support to STAY VOCAL are Anti-Flag, Bent Left, Strike Anywhere, Rise Against, 311 and Darkest Hour. In addition to their general support, many of these bands also sell ReUse T-shirts through the STAY VOCAL store and through their own merch lines.
In May 2008 STAY VOCAL received their first major recognition outside of the music community when their ReUse campaign won Ideablob's $20,000 contest. Ideablob, run by Advanta, is an online community of entrepreneurs who submit ideas to be critiqued and voted on. STAY VOCAL's idea received 951 votes in the contest through a massive rallying effort of STAY VOCAL supporters.[10][11]
In July 2008 STAY VOCAL was recognized on the national level by ABC News concerning the contest win.[12] In May 2009 STAY VOCAL again appeared on ABC, this time as part of a Mother's Day segment for Good Morning America.