These 6 fashion brands are creating pieces from ocean waste that wouldn’t look out of place in the world’s chicest wardrobes

You may think you know how bad plastic is, and you know that it’s damaging our oceans, but did you know that every minute, the equivalent of a dump truck of plastic enters the ocean?

Did you know that an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of plastic pollutes our oceans every year?

Did you know that by 2050 it’s estimated there will be more plastic than fish by weight?

Did you know that, at some point in our lives, we’ll consume fish that has digested plastic microfibres?

Did you also know that clothing and textiles are the primary source of microplastics in our oceans?

It’s not just plastic bottles or plastic bags that are causing the problem, but it is in fact predominantly the products that you hang in your wardrobe and put on your body. Various forms of plastic, like polyester, acrylic, and nylon reportedly now make up about 60% of our clothes

But while the fashion industry is entirely guilty of being one of the world’s biggest polluters up until now, it is becoming one of the most innovative and proactive industry’s in the fight for our planet, with sustainable fashion becoming more, well, fashionable than ever.

To celebrate World Oceans Day, and put a spotlight on the reality behind the often ignored concept of ocean pollution, we’ve rounded up 6 brands who are not only creating sustainable pieces, but are using ocean waste itself to create them…

1. PAPER LONDON

PAPER is a supremely chic, sustainable brand, whose swimwear is made using a sustainable material fabricated from recycled fishing nets. “Technical fabrics are so fascinating right now”, Kelly Townsend, the label’s creative director, told Glamour UK, “and they can virtually do anything. Turning fishing nets into luxurious swimwear jersey – which is quick drying – is just one of them.”

2. STELLA MCCARTNEY

Known just as well for her commitment to ethical and sustainable practices as she is for her brilliant designs, Stella McCartney is unsurprisingly also experimenting with fabrics made from ocean waste and much of her sportswear line is crafted from Econyl. She has also previously teamed up with Parley for the Oceans in the fight against marine plastic pollution.

3. OCEANUS

With an aesthetic focus on ‘80s eveningwear glamour and an ethical focus on sustainability, swimwear label Oceanus is ticking a *lot* of our boxes. Each piece is crafted with recycled materials and finished with hand-embroidered Swarovski crystals – who said conscious fashion couldn’t be exciting?

3. ADIDAS x PARLEY

Another label frequently teaming up with Parley for the Oceans is adidas, who have been working with the organisation since 2015. Together they’ve grown beyond the initial line of ethically produced footwear, now producing workout gear, athleisure and more, not only promoting the mission and raising money and awareness, but also ridding masses of waste from our oceans.

5. TIMEX WATCHES

Launching the brand new Waterbury Ocean collection just in time for World Ocean Day, Timex Watches have revealed a resin style crafted from upcycled ocean-bound plastic in partnership with #tide, an organisation offering a solution to ocean pollution. The watches, £90, will be available from June 8th.

6. TOGETHERBAND

An extension of the Bottletop brand – whose simple mission is to empower both people and the planet – the #togetherband is an initiative that sees friendship bracelets made from upcycled ocean plastic from Costa Rica, re-cycled illegal firearm metal from El Salvador and made by a group of women in Nepal who have been rescued from human trafficking. It has a number of celebrity backers, including models Naomi Campbell, Doutzen Kroes, and sportsmen Aaron Ramsey and Andy Murray.