On Earth Day 2024 (April 22nd), this year's theme, Planet vs. Plastics, I think is fitting for the current sustainable fashion trends. It is all about tackling the big issue of plastic pollution for both people and the planet's health.
Our oceans are drowning in plastic trash, with over 80% of marine pollution coming from plastic waste. It's urgent that we do something to stop it from wrecking our oceans and the creatures living there.
Luckily, science is helping out by finding ways to turn it into useful stuff, like making nylon from old fishing nets and recycling ocean plastic into new materials. But the problem is, we're using plastic for things that we only use once, like packaging and clothes.
Oceans of Plastic 2024 campaign
That's where initiatives like Oceans of Plastic come in. It's a year-long effort to raise awareness about the massive amount of plastic waste in our oceans. The goal is to get everyone—individuals, communities, businesses, and governments—working together to solve the problem.
Every year, around 100 million marine animals die because of plastic waste. That's a huge number, and it's up to all of us to do our part to fix it. One way is by supporting fashion brands that are fighting plastic waste.
Some brands are already leading the charge - promoting these conscious choices as not just a seasonal trend.
Paper London is an eco-conscious brand promoting the use of ocean plastic waste reduction through their sustainable swimwear range.
Their oceans collection has been created using 100% regenerated nylon from recycled fishing nets, reducing the detrimental impact the nets have on ocean wildlife.
Stella McCartney leads in using ECONYL®, a sustainable nylon made from discarded fishing nets and other waste.
Their range includes sportswear and the innovative Close-the-Loop Parka, showcasing their dedication to circular fashion.
‘ In our vision, all materials will be regeneratively sourced or recycled indefinitely. We pledge to recycle the Close-the-Loop Parka within the Aquafil system, continuously improving the process with evolving innovations or seeking alternative solutions when necessary.’
Adidas
Adidas continues to commit to its long-term partnership with Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organisation that raises awareness of ocean plastic waste. Together, they’ve produced Ultra Boost trainers using recycled plastic waste and invested in eco-friendly initiatives to change the world for the better.
Timex
Iconic watch brand Timex has teamed up with #tide™ to produce a range of watches crafted from upcycled ocean-bound plastic. The Legacy Ocean collection reduces ocean waste by using the plastic collected by fishermen from coastlines, which is then delivered to their factory in Switzerland using carbon-neutral transportation to be regenerated into new watches.
And if you're curious about how you can help, check out the Ocean Day Collection here . It's all about reducing ocean waste and protecting marine life, with packaging and trims made from recycled ocean waste.