Eco Fashion – How to shop for ocean friendly swimwear this summer
save the oceans while wearing a bikini
The Green Hub
This summer, rule the pool, ride the waves and save precious marine animals at the same time by buying ocean friendly swimmers.
A few swimwear brands have started to do their part to protect our oceans by making swimming costumes out of ECONYL® – a fabric made from recycled fishing nets.
Lost and abandoned fishing gear – known as ‘ghost gear’ – is one of the biggest threats to sea animals today.
Each year, a staggering 640,000 tonnes of fishing lines, nets and ropes are left in our oceans.
Made mostly of plastic, they become floating death traps that kill around 100,000 whales, seals, turtles and other marine animals annually.
And because ghost gear takes centuries to degrade, its killing power is huge and long-lasting.
Global animal welfare organization, World Animal Protection is working to protect sea animals from ghost gear with a four-step approach: reduce, remove, rescue and recycle.
You can play your part by buying ocean friendly swimwear and helping to protect the animals that call our oceans home.
Fourth Element
The OceanPositive swimwear range, designed by diving specialists Fourth Element, is made from ECONYL®. Every OceanPositive piece you buy supports their work to protect marine animals from ghost gear.
Tigerlily
Australian brand Tigerlily introduced ECONYL® designs in 2015 and has further designs in the works for 2017.
Volcom
Another brand testing out ECONYL®, Volcom brought out their first range in 2016 which is composed of 78% ECONYL®.
Ocean Zen
OceanZen says it is “saving the ocean, one bikini at a time”. OceanZen doesn’t just make swimwear from plastic bottles and fishing nets, it’s also a proudly sustainable business.
Liar the Label
Liar the Label is another eco-conscious Australian brand, with swimwear made from 100% ECONYL®.