How Can Recycled Plastics Revolutionize Outdoor Products?

In episode 001 of the Kiln.RoadTrip, created and produced by The Swell Pod, hosts Spencer McKeown and Josh Taylor interview Mark Mann, co-founder of Backcountry Swell. They discuss the company's innovative approach to creating sustainable outdoor products, made from 100% recycled plastics. Mark shares the company's mission to build a community around cleanups and environmental awareness, aiming to scale by involving more people in the cause. The conversation touches on the challenges of working with recycled materials and the company's commitment to environmental impact over ease of production. Mark also highlights the importance of having a strong "why" to drive forward with innovative, impactful work.

Mark Mann: It all started with a broken skateboard. From there it became about “how can we make high performance outdoor products that by them existing are helping solve a large scale problem.

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• @thebackcountryswell
• @markmann

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• @thebackcountryswell

Backcountry Swell: Outdoor Products made from 100% recycled plastic inspiring people to go outside. Shred sustainably. https://thebackcountryswell.com/

Bullets:

• The Kiln Road Trip: a ten-day journey across five states interviewing 100 individuals embodying a pleasantly rebellious spirit
• Uncovering truths about creating something new and challenging the status quo
• Mark Mann, co-founder of Backcountry Swell, and his sustainable outdoor products
• Origins of Backcountry Swell and working with recycled plastic
• Challenges and triumphs in creating sustainable outdoor products
• Mark Mann's vision for building a community around cleanups and collecting plastic

TimeStamps:

The kiln road trip (00:00:02) Introduction to the purpose of the road trip and the challenge to interview 100 individuals to uncover deep truths.

 

Interview with Mark Mann (00:00:53) Introduction of the first interviewee, Mark Mann, co-founder of Backcountry Swell, and his company's mission to create outdoor products from recycled plastic.

 

Mark Mann's background (00:01:43) Discussion about Mark's background, his passion for the outdoors, and his experience in various locations.

 

Starting Backcountry Swell (00:03:13) Mark's journey of starting Backcountry Swell, including the pivotal moment of melting plastic to fix a skateboard and the inspiration to repurpose plastic waste.

 

Challenges and perseverance (00:07:03) Mark's challenges in creating the first recycled skateboard, the process of experimentation, and the perseverance required to overcome obstacles.

 

Testing and feedback (00:12:40) The process of testing the recycled skateboards and receiving feedback from skateboarders at skate parks.

 

Pivoting the business (00:13:58) The realization of the limited market for recycled skateboards leading to a pivot in the business strategy.

 

Future vision for Backcountry Swell (00:15:24) Mark's vision for Backcountry Swell's expansion into backcountry snow sports and becoming a serious competitor in the industry.

 

Creating something new (00:16:48) Mark's insights on the mindset required to create something that has never existed before, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and acceptance of failure.

 

Backcountry Snowboarding Equipment (00:21:45) Discussion about backcountry snowboarding equipment including skins, foot pivots, and recycled plastic components.

 

Scaling the Use of Recycled Plastic (00:23:48) Exploring the scalability of using recycled plastic for products and building a community for cleanups and plastic collection.

 

Environmental Impact of Product Creation (00:25:56) The discussion about the environmental impact and community element in the creation of sustainable products using recycled plastic.

 

Community Building and Advice for Entrepreneurs (00:29:05) The importance of community building and the advice for entrepreneurs to find their "why" and pursue their goals.

Promotion and Plastic Meetups (00:32:12) Promotion of the backcountry swell and the anticipation of plastic meetups for community involvement in cleanups.

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