Big Y Fly Sun Hoodie - By Sea Threads
Made from 100% recycled ocean plastics
UPF 30 Rated
Sea Threads is a sustainable apparel brand committed to making a positive impact on the environment and society. Founded on the principles of innovation and corporate social responsibility, Sea Threads uses cutting-edge technology to transform discarded ocean plastic into high-quality materials, which are then used to create sustainable and stylish clothing.
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re aware of the massive amount of plastic pollution that is found in our oceans. Currently, there are a number of efforts to reduce the prevalence of plastics and the creation of plastic waste. Reusable grocery bags, food storage containers, and water bottles are replacing their plastic predecessors, hotels are cutting back on single-use plastic bottles, and states have enacted plastic bans (with varying degrees of success).
The plastic pollution problem currently disrupting our oceans can be broken down into two interconnected, yet separate portions. The solutions discussed above act as a way to address the first part of the problem: the disposal of plastics directly into our oceans. I like to think of this as the input issue. Prized for their single-use status, plastics are widely used in a variety of industries and products. As a result, over 8 million tons of plastics enter our oceans every year, adding to the 150+ million tons of current plastic pollution.
As individuals, we can work to limit our own plastic consumption and choose plastic-free alternatives. It is also important to hold elected officials accountable. By banning and restricting the production of plastics on a national scale, governments have the ability to significantly reduce the input issue. However, it should be noted that we are a long way away from eliminating the production and use of plastics. Plastic companies, similar to tobacco companies, are using their wealth and political influence to sway the opinions and policies of local and state officials, making it difficult to impose plastic bans.
Regardless of the political nature of the pollution problem, we still face a very real issue — What are we going to do with the millions and millions of tons of plastic that are currently found in our oceans? This is where the second portion of the plastic pollution problem emerges. I like to think of this as the output issue. Simply, we need to take plastic out of our oceans.
But that’s not enough. At SeaThreads, we’re firm believers that removing plastic from our oceans is only the first step in solving the output issue. We turn pollution into product, recycling and repurposing ocean plastic so that it can never find its way back!
What We Do:
In order to create our products, we’ve partnered with Oceanworks®, for the ethical and efficient collection of ocean plastic. Oceanworks® guaranteed plastic is removed from areas, typically in Southeast Asia, that lack the advanced waste systems necessary to deal with the prevalence of plastic pollution both on land and in the oceans. As you might imagine, plastic collection is not a simple task. Oceanworks® partners with a variety of nonprofit groups, governments, local community organizations, and micro entrepreneurs, ensuring that their supply chain is ethical and sustainable through GRS and Green Circle certifications.
Once sourced, our plastic is ground into thin flakes which are subsequently melted, reformulated, and washed into high-quality chips. The chips are depolymerized into their base molecules, melted (again!), and forced through small holes. Through this process, they are recycled into a thread-like material that is 5 times finer than human hair and made entirely from ocean plastic!
Our plastic threads are strengthened, spun into yarn, and compiled into rolls of ultra-comfortable performance fabric, which are shipped to Orlando, Florida. In Orlando, we personally oversee the cut and sew process, utilizing environmentally friendly techniques such as water-based printing to repurpose pounds and pounds of plastic waste into high-quality performance wear
