When Alex Matthews first got her hands on 30A’s new recycled Dumpster Diver t-shirts and apparel, she was instantly excited.
“We loved the feel of the shirt — it’s so soft,” said Mathews, who orders clothing for On the Beach, a beach lifestyle store that has been located on South Padre Island, Texas, for over 30 years. “We looked at the graphics and we thought they were so neat, unlike anything else we’ve seen, and we loved the story behind it.”
The Dumpster Diver line, the latest innovation from The 30A Company, launched last summer.
The shirts, polos, hoodies and other items for women, men and kids are made from recycled plastic bottles, helping divert trash from landfills across the Southeast.
“Anybody who lives on the water or is involved in water activities and the beach lifestyle is concerned about the environment,” said Mathews. “Being on the beach, we notice the trash that’s washing up all the time. It’s important to support companies that are trying to clean it up and make a difference.”
On the Beach and over 20 other retailers across the Southeast have recently added the Dumpster Diver line to their inventory. Locations range from Juno Beach, in South Florida, to Bowling Green, Kentucky; from Dallas, Texas, to Raleigh, North Carolina; with more locations being added every week.
(See the full list of retail partners, with new locations being added every week.)
The story behind the shirts and their unique designs resonate with retailers reaching an audience of beach and outdoor lovers of all ages. They are hung on racks alongside brands such as Patagonia, Prana, Life is Good, Roxy, Billabong and Columbia.
“We’re extremely proud to be expanding our Dumpster Diver line,” said JoAnn Ribaudo, Chief Operating Officer of The 30A Company. “These soft, breathable shirts are having an immediate impact on our environment, while keeping in line with the uplifting, beach-loving message we’ve been sharing with our fans since the company launched in 2007.”
On the Beach at South Padre Island, Texas, is a perfect fit for Dumpster Diver.
Only about five miles of the small island on the Gulf of Mexico are actually inhabited, the rest is protected, natural land, Mathews noted. Many people who live or visit there have an innate desire to protect the environment and an interest in keeping beaches clean.
Mathews said she thinks her customers will like the Beach Bungalow design, which features a hermit crab, and especially Green Power, which has a hand-drawn sea turtle. Right down the street from On the Beach is a sea turtle sanctuary, a tourist draw that is also helping protect the endangered species and their nesting habitats.
Mathews started working at On the Beach as a sales clerk when she was in high school, and in 20 years, she’s never left. The island has a great feel to it that makes it hard to succumb to any grass-is-greener tendencies.
“It’s a laid-back environment,” she said. “It’s just a happy place.”
