5 Gyres - Understanding Plastic Pollution Through Exploration, Education, and Action

BIG THANKS to Al James and Dolorean for supporting our work!  You can BUY THE TUNE, "Disputed Trail" HERE.

VENTURA, Calif. (Embargoed June 22, 2011) — Patagonia Inc., the environmentally minded apparel company, and some of music’s most talented artists, including Dolorean have come together to form the Patagonia Music Collective in an effort to fund environmental activism. The program will launch Tuesday, June 22, 2011 at www.patagonia.com/music.

The collective brings together musicians, fans and grassroots environmental groups. Artists, such as Dolorean have donated unreleased tracks that will be sold for $.99 with net proceeds going directly to the artist’s favorite environmental group. Dolorean and Patagonia have joined together to benefit 5 Gyres. When a fan, activist or customer purchases “Disputed Trail” for $.99 via the Patagonia Music Collective, net proceeds will directly go to 5 Gyres in the artist’s name.

Says Al James of Dolorean, "5 Gyres Institute is a pioneer in exploring the open waters and spreading the word locally and globally about the plastic pollution that compromises our oceans. Once I got to know some of these courageous and optimistic explorers personally and heard the stories of their travels and research, I knew I had to get involved." 

“Patagonia is always looking for unique ways, above and beyond the 1% of sales we donate annually, to help fund the environmental movement,” notes Rob BonDurant, Patagonia’s VP of Marketing, “Musicians have been approaching Patagonia for years asking how they can be involved in the enviro work we do. This is our answer. Artists generously donate unreleased tracks – and the enviro group receives money from the song’s sales to fund its work. We are very excited about facilitating a direct connection between an artist’s fans and the grassroots groups working to save the planet. We’re hopeful fans will learn more about the group and cause their favorite artist supports and personally get involved.”

The tracks will be available at www.patagonia.com/music, through a dedicated iPhone^® app and a web widget player on participating artist’s websites. Fulfillment will be handled by iTunes^®. Visit www.patagonia.com/music for details.

About 5 Gyres:

The 5 Gyres Institute studies the impacts of plastic waste on the world’s oceans, marine life, and human health.  Having logged more than 25,000 miles at sea to be the first organization to cross the five subtropical gyres in the North and South Pacific, North and South Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, 5 Gyres shares it's scientific work globally through publications, lectures, and public awareness campaigns - and is unique in its focus on proactive, land-based solutions.

About Patagonia

Patagonia, with sales last year of over $333M, is noted internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism. In Fall 2011, the Company’s entire product line will be recyclable thorough its Common Threads Recycling Program. The company also advocates corporate transparency through its interactive website, The Footprint Chronicles^®, which outlines the environmental and social footprint of individual products. Patagonia was featured as The Coolest Company on the Planet on Fortune Magazine’s April 2007 cover.

Contact:

Stiv Wilson

Communications Director, 5 Gyres

stiv@5gyres.org