Dead Ahead Sustainability Efforts

At Dead Ahead we make quality goods inspired by travel and cultural experiences, especially those centered around the beach. This year, we are prioritizing goods made from organic or recycled materials, in addition to overall event sustainability. This mission pairs perfectly with Dead Ahead's values as well as Playa Luna’s existing responsibility initiatives, which respect and conserve our natural world. Adopting mindful eco-conscious practices is a constant goal of ours and an ever-evolving challenge. Check out some of the initiatives we’ve implemented thus far:

Online Merchandise Store Initiatives

• All online stores are hosted via Shopify, which is a carbon neutral company who has made a huge commitment to sustainable e-commerce.
• We use mailers made from 100% recycled materials. We also often reuse boxes and packaging that we get from personal mail because boxes and packaging filler should be reused many times before being recycled!
• We ship ~99% of our orders via USPS using their free package pickup. This equates to a lower carbon footprint for delivery.

Manufacturing & Logistical Initiatives

• In 2024, 90% of event merchandise shipments were completed via ocean freight instead of air freight, reducing our overall carbon footprint. In 2025 we plan to further increase our percentage of ocean freight usage.
• We prioritize working with either local Colorado businesses, where our offices are based, or Mexico businesses, where Dead Ahead takes place, for as many products as possible. For example, all of our stickers are made in Colorado, and all of our sun hats are made using Mexican palm and manufactured in Guanajuato, Mexico. These products are featured in our "Made Responsibly" collection.
• Reusable bags that are distributed with every pre-sale order picked up on-site at the event are made from 100% recycled polyester.
• Display hangers used in our on-site stores to display merchandise are manufactured from 100% recycled plastics gathered from the oceans or intercepted in estuaries. Broken hangers are re-ground and made into replacement hangers.
• Poster tubes that come with every poster purchased on-site at the event are made with 30-40% recycled kraft cardboard and ship flat, saving transportation space by roughly 50% compared to standard poster tubes. They also omit plastic ends!
• We responsibly recycle any plastics that we receive from our manufacturing partners.

Sustainable Vendor Practices

• MiiR: Dedicated to minimizing impact, maximizing product lifespan, and measuring their net emissions to aim for Net Zero emissions by 2030. MiiR uses post-consumer recycled materials in packaging, practices fair labor in their manufacturing processes, partners with environmentally responsible suppliers, and drastically invests in sustainable shipping practices.
• AKILA: Built with sustainability and eco-friendly practices in mind, AKILA is an independent eyewear brand focused on providing plant-based materials within its eyewear construction. They also reuse, donate, or repair returned materials and continue to promote eco-conscious choices and practices.

Operating with sustainable practices while positively impacting the planet is always top of mind for Playa Luna. While we’re not perfect, we’re committed to making intentional improvements to our manufacturing processes and operational logistics each and every year, and we’re excited to optimize our processes as we continue to learn. If you have an idea, please reach out, we’d love to chat!