Beach waste to Beachwear
Sun’s out, swimsuits on! But before you rush for the sun lounger or beach, have you ever thought about what goes into the making of your favourite bikini? Most bathing suits are made from nylon – a synthetic, water-resistant plastic material generally made from petroleum, yes you heard us, petroleum. The synthetic polymer fibres are derived from carbon-based monomers which after a chemical process of heating, extrusion, stretching and spinning create the silk-like fabric we all know and love today.
Now that we know where nylon comes from, shouldn’t we be more conscious of the environmental impacts? The fact that we mention crude oil and chemical process means the production of nylon is energy intensive and not sustainable in the long term. Oil is going to run out some day, right? Plus, the emission of greenhouse gases exacerbates the very real threat of global warming.
Luckily, with the technological advancements we have today and a better understanding of the impact our actions have on the environment, we can create safer and more ethical production practices. Something as simple as recycling can hugely minimize environmental damage and a few forward-thinking businesses have pioneered the recycling of nylon, effectively turning one person’s trash into another’s treasure. ECONYL® and REPREVE® are two such companies and we’re proud to incorporate their recycled fabrics into our sustainable swimwear range. Both companies place the environment first and have capitalized on what most people would view as redundant waste.
So where exactly do we get nylon waste from to produce regenerated fabric? The answer may surprise you. Remember that dusty old carpet you threw out a while back… Yes, that can be recycled, as well as old fishing nets, used clothing, fabric scraps and even plastic bottles. In fact, REPREVE® has already recycled more than 25 billion plastic bottles to create their amazing high-quality fibre. So, we’re cleaning our oceans and reducing our landfills at the same time. Nice one!
The waste is then sorted and through an extreme regeneration and purification process, is recycled back to its original pure form. Regenerated nylon is no different to virgin nylon in quality and structure and can be recycled and reused again and again, ultimately closing the regeneration loop. Once it’s processed into yarn and polymers the fashion and textiles industries use the stretchy fabric to create garments and all sorts of other products.
This is where we step in! Macapuno’s eco-conscious cozzie* collection is ethically handcrafted using recycled nylon. From our sexy Mediterranean two-piece to our stylish Arctic one-piece, you can be rest assured that no oceans were harmed in the making of our swimwear. We don’t view “eco-friendly” as a marketing tactic but strive to make a real difference when it comes to sustainability and protecting the environment. Conservation is at the heart of Macapuno TM, and we’re actively involved in initiatives including the Reef Restoration Foundation and the Elephants and Bees Project. So next time you put on your beachwear and head for the seaside, remember, sustainable is sexy and don’t forget to pick up that discarded plastic bottle you see. It could be the very thing your next swimsuit is made from.
*Macapuno TM is founded by a South African where swimsuits are called swimming costumes or cozzies for short!