STAY VOCAL is a reuse

Reuse

To reuse is to use an item more than once. This includes conventional reuse where the item is used again for the same function, and new-life reuse where it is used for a different function. In contrast, recycling is the breaking down of the used item into raw materials which are used to make new...

 apparel brand

Brand

The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...

 based in Norwell, Massachusetts

Norwell, Massachusetts

Norwell is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population is currently 10,506 at the 2010 Census.Norwell was first settled in 1634 as a part of the settlement of Satuit , which encompasses present day Scituate and Norwell. It was officially created, in 1849 and soon became...

 in the United States that encourages people to reuse

Reuse

To reuse is to use an item more than once. This includes conventional reuse where the item is used again for the same function, and new-life reuse where it is used for a different function. In contrast, recycling is the breaking down of the used item into raw materials which are used to make new...

 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

Animal rights

Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...

, human rights

Human rights

Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...

, 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.

Founding

STAY VOCAL was conceived by Alex Eaves in September 2003. Alex first began selling STAY VOCAL (then just called VOCAL) items on Anti-Flag

Anti-Flag

Anti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...

's Death of a Nation Tour (Rise Against

Rise Against

Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...

, Against Me!

Against Me!

Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...

, None More Black

None More Black

None More Black is a New Jersey-based melodic punk outfit on Fat Wreck Chords, formed by lead singer / guitarist Jason Shevchuk after the demise of his previous band, Philadelphia's Kid Dynamite...

, 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.

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."

Alex was driven to start STAY VOCAL after working with a non-profit organization called Anti-Racist Action

Anti-Racist Action

The Anti-Racist Action Network is a decentralized network of anti-fascist and anti-racists in North America. ARA activists organize actions to disrupt neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, and help organize activities against fascist and racist ideologies. ARA groups also oppose sexism,...

, in addition to touring with numerous bands like 311

311 (band)

311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...

 and Anti-Flag

Anti-Flag

Anti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...

, 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.

The organization's mission statement is as follows:

Reuse

Reuse

To reuse is to use an item more than once. This includes conventional reuse where the item is used again for the same function, and new-life reuse where it is used for a different function. In contrast, recycling is the breaking down of the used item into raw materials which are used to make new...

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." 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. "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." 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.

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.

Recognition

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

Anti-Flag

Anti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...

, Bent Left, Strike Anywhere

Strike Anywhere

Strike Anywhere is a punk rock/melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1999 after the demise of frontman Thomas Barnett's previous band, Inquisition, they took their name from the Inquisition song "Strike Anywhere". Their music is characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies, and...

, Rise Against

Rise Against

Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...

, 311

311 (band)

311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...

 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

Advanta

Advanta was an American banking company. It controlled two banks, Advanta Bank Corp and Advanta National Bank. The banking corporation is not associated with Advanta Energy Corp., an energy consulting practice based in California. Until 1988, the company was called TSO Financial.The bank was...

, 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.

In July of 2008 STAY VOCAL was recognized on the national level by ABC News concerning the contest win. In May of 2009 STAY VOCAL again appeared on ABC, this time as part of a Mother's Day segment for Good Morning America.