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Nine Companies Diverting Trash From the Ocean

By Melissa Smith | Published On May 8, 2020
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Nine Companies Diverting Trash From the Ocean

Ocean Plastics Ashore on Beach

Plastics washed ashore on a remote island.

Shutterstock.com/Ethan Daniels

From creating products using recycled plastic to pledging to remove ocean trash, more and more brands are finding ways to help divert pollution from our waterways. Feel better about your spending and shop more sustainably by supporting one of these nine companies:

1. 4Ocean

Not only are 4Ocean’s signature beaded bracelets made from 100% recycled plastic and glass bottles, but the company also pledges to remove one pound of trash from the ocean for every bracelet purchased. Since September 2017, they’ve removed more than 8.6 million pounds of trash from coastlines and the sea.

2. Rothy’s

This sustainable shoe brand uses a proprietary blend of marine plastic and thread spun from single-use water bottles to create women's flats and handbags. So far, they’ve rescued over 45 million plastic bottles from becoming ocean trash.

3. Adidas x Parley

The sportswear company’s partnership with nonprofit Parley for the Oceans has bred a line of tennis shoes and fitness apparel made with materials like illegal gillnets removed from the Southern Ocean and plastic trash collected from remote beaches around the world.

4. Girlfriend Collective

Sports bras, leggings, shorts, tanks, tees — you name it, Girlfriend Collective has your athleisure needs sustainably covered. To create its clothing and accessories, the company uses recycled materials such as post-consumer bottles, fishing nets, and cotton waste that’s spun into yarn in a zero-waste, zero-emission facility.

5. United By Blue

United By Blue specializes in men's and women's clothing, shoes and bags made from ethically and eco-friendly materials. But most of their marine waste diversion comes from their pledge to remove one pound of trash from waterways for every product sold. They also have a plan to remove all single-use plastics from their supply chain this year.

6. Bureo

A certified B Corporation, Bureo collaborates with industry-leading companies to make items like Costa sunglasses, Carver skateboards and Jenga stacking games out of recycled fishing nets. They purchase the nets from 50 partner fisheries in South America, which helps fund sustainable development and local projects in coastal communities.

7. Suga

As it turns out, your well-loved (see: falling-apart) wetsuit can still be used for good. California-based company Suga makes premium yoga mats out of 100% recycled wetsuits. Instead of tossing your old neoprene, consider donating it to be reincarnated into a SugaMat — and get 10% off your Suga purchase when you do.

8. Le Cord

Tech accessory company Le Cord is the only company in the world offering a line of Apple-approved iPhone, iPad and iPod chargers made from discarded fishing nets and recycled PET textiles. Plus, a dollar from every ghost net charger is donated directly to marine conservation nonprofit Oceana.

9. La Garza Bermuda

Along with products made from sustainably sourced coral and invasive lionfish, La Garza offers a selection of jewelry made from upcycled ocean plastics collected from the shores of Bermuda. Their Plastiseas collection includes necklaces, earrings, charms and cufflinks created using brightly colored pieces of plastic and high-gloss resin.