Summer is a time to go on vacation, relax, unwind at the seaside, do outdoor sports, wear light clothes and don swimwear. But before we drift away completely and start enjoying the warm sun, nature and the freshness of the water, we must think about our impact on nature. What are we doing as individuals and how do we negatively affect nature indirectly with our consumerism? How can we start being ethical and responsible towards the environment right now? How can each individual help? Let’s take small steps together towards a great goal!

Our planet, our dumping ground, our problem

Activists and well-informed travellers, who are constantly in tune with the conditions in nature, are reporting that there are enormous amounts of waste accumulating in the oceans. To illustrate, The United Nations Environment Programme has estimated that there are about 640,000 tonnes of abandoned fishing nets (‘ghost’ nets) in the oceans, accounting for one-tenth of all marine litter. It is estimated that around 130,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises are caught in nets every year, 40,000 seals die every year after playing with nets, and coral reefs are smothered by them, before eventually dying. Another fascinating piece of information: due to the huge amounts of waste that we throw into our seas there are currently 6 kilograms of waste for every kilogram of plankton.  Maybe you will remember this fact the next time you are enjoying yourself on the beach or preparing a delicious salt water fish.

It is high time to admit that awareness is, sadly, not enough. It is time to take action and remind people of how they can intervene. Sustainability is the only option that allows people to coexist in the long-term with the other organisms on the planet we all call home. Sustainability provides a quality future that everyone wants and needs!

Responsibility for the future

Consumerism must become ethical. This applies to everyone – consumers and goods providers alike. Companies must act responsibly in terms of production, while consumers must do the same when choosing what products to buy.

Sustainable or eco fashion – a design philosophy within the sustainable development trend that incorporates a circular system of consumption and stresses environmental and social responsibility – is gaining more and more recognition.

An example of good practice is the Aquafil company, which produces regenerated and quality ECONYL® yarn for leading companies that produce fabric for major clothing brands. The end result is high-tech and sports clothing made from quality regenerated nylon coming from pre- and post-consumer waste like discarded fishing nets of fluff (the upper part of carpets). The ECONYL® yarn has the same purity and performance as nylon coming from fossil raw material but it offers an intelligent and sustainable way to create products while reducing waste and pollution and limiting the consumption of natural resources and energy.

 

Will you buy swimwear made out of regenerated materials and support sustainability or will you go for regular swimwear? The choice is yours.

Let it be seen, let it be known

ECONYL® brand and Eco-Age will be sponsoring a very important British environmental event – the ninth Observer Ethical Awards and the award for the best piece of clothing in the Sustainable fashion category. This year’s jury will also include Livia Firth, wife of the famous actor Colin Firth and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge which aims to promote ethically made outfits from fashion designers. The Firths are regular guests at the event.

The closing event, which will take place on 11 June in London, will see the finalists walk down a special “green carpet” made from the regenerated ECONYL® material in collaboration with ege®. This symbolic gesture is meant to spread awareness across the fashion world. An updated classic and elegant sailor dress, two hand-embroidered jumpers, a collection of wonderful dresses made from scrap silk and comfortable stylish shoes made from scrap plastic bottles will be showcased on the ECONYL® catwalk.

Let the future be sustainable!

Do you believe that it is possible to switch to sustainability? We believe it is. If we all spread awareness and act responsibly, we will be able to achieve our goal faster. The only question is, are you with us already, or will you be joining us later?

HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF  TEXTILE PRODUCTS MADE WITH ECONYL®  YARN


 

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