Perhaps it’s the unique relationship surfers have with the ocean and mother nature that gives them the ideas to create products that people really dig while helping the environment too. The guys over at RAREFORM have achieved exactly this, with their upcycled billboard bags that come in all shapes and sizes. Surfboard and snowboard bags, duffels, backpacks, totes, and that’s just the start. Fuelled with a passion to do things that little bit better, the ideas for how old billboards can be used for good just keep on coming.
The Seed from El Salvador
The Avedissian brothers, Alec and Aric, started RAREFORM in 2012, not long after Alec returned from working in El Salvador. Alec saw how old billboards were being used as a roofing material in the Central American country, which inspired him to create a surfboard bag out of the material when back in California. A waterproof, durable vinyl that was resistant to mildew and easy to clean seemed perfect for surfboard bags. Encouraged with the result, the brothers went on to create an entire range of bags, from iPad sleeves to wetsuit changing mats.
How It Helps
Every year 600,000 tons of old billboards end up in landfill sites, and RAREFORM are doing their bit to reduce this non-biodegradable material from being dumped. Every month 10,000 pounds of billboards are rescued and reused, with one 14’ x 48’ billboard providing enough material for 6 surfboard bags. The company also supports the One Percent for the Planet campaign, donating money from sales to environmental organisations across the world. With a seemingly infinite supply of billboards RAREFORM should never run out of its primary material, and this will hopefully spur on other industries and manufacturers to think about using the material too.
Doing It In California
RAREFORM had to get their hands on billboards that have been taken down, so they partnered with outdoor advertising agencies like Lamar. Intercepting the core material for their bags before it’s thrown on the trash heap is just the first step though. Next the material has to be washed and cut, and this is all done at one of their three locations in California. In fact, all of the surfboard bags, snowboard bags and larger duffels are also made at the workshops in Ventura, Ontario and San Diego. Keeping the majority of production in California means that the Avedissian brothers can keep a keen eye on the whole process and make sure their product stays premium. Oh, and because billboards are constantly changing so are RAREFORM bags, with every single product having a unique appearance.