A Decade of Impact: Healthy Seas and the Brands that Drive Change

We’re commemorating a decade of transformative environmental impact, sailing toward sustainability.

Amidst the cacophony of sustainability discussions, one often wonders if real-world champions are actively weaving positive changes for our environment. While dialogues about a more sustainable future abound, they sometimes lack the tangible efforts necessary to safeguard our precious ecosystems. But thankfully, there exist exceptions to this rule.

A poignant exemplar is Healthy Seas—a foundation established in collaboration with Aquafil, the producer of ECONYL® brand, and two other visionary entities in 2013. Their mission: combating the marine litter, such as ghost fishing nets that needlessly claims marine lives. Healthy Seas is also notable for its efforts to educate children and communities worldwide about the importance of protecting our oceans. As a result, ghost divers’ workload is reduced, and a shared prevention mindset is created.

If you’re not yet convinced, allow us to provide you with concrete facts and figures that underscore the profound impact this organization has on ocean preservation and the forging of a new circular economy.

Battling the plastic menace through action, prevention, and education

It is estimated that each year, 640,000 tons of fishing gear are lost in the seas and oceans, leading to the deaths of millions of marine animals.^[1] It is this sobering issue that Healthy Seas squarely addresses. Their triad of action—comprising cleanups, prevention, and education—has yielded remarkable outcomes. Through these pillars, they fervently strive to protect one of Earth’s most invaluable resources: water.

In the cleanup phase, volunteer divers recover ghost nets from reefs and shipwrecks—critical hubs of marine biodiversity. Since their inception in 2013, they have retrieved a staggering 905 tons of fishing nets and other marine litter.^[2]

Yet, action alone is insufficient without the bedrock of prevention and education. Among Healthy Seas’ most laudable achievements is the creation of an educational network that disseminates awareness about water pollution. This network nurtures a community of individuals who not only recognize the problem but actively contribute to its solution. In 2022, Healthy Seas engaged in 40 days of educational programs, enlightening 3,400 young minds about the perils of plastic waste.^[3]

In their relentless pursuit of innovation, Healthy Seas crafted a virtual reality experience. This immersive encounter places users within the perspective of ghost-diving volunteers—a profound method to imprint the urgency of their mission.

Embracing a circular future

Leaving an indelible mark necessitates the audacity to see opportunities where others see obstacles. Healthy Seas goes beyond teaching; it changes business paradigms through cleanup. Fishing nets, together with other nylon waste, are regenerated into ECONYL® nylon. This approach promotes change and encourages global market players to rethink resource utilization, ushering in a positive environmental transformation.

If you are interested in brands that support the Healthy Seas initiatives, look for the “Healthy Seas Member” value while shopping on our e-shop.

Consider Karün, an Associate Partner Member of Healthy Seas. Their ethos revolves around transparent sustainability. Using ECONYL® nylon as their primary material for sunglasses, they invest in a traceability program that discloses their carbon footprint and their products’ origins.

Another commendable example is GLDN GAL, a luxury American swimwear brand exclusively retailing in the United States. Their bikinis feature ECONYL® yarn, and as a staunch Partner of Healthy Seas, they’re deeply engaged in combating plastic pollution in our oceans.

Lastly, meet ACE — an additional Supporting Partner of Healthy Seas, echoing GLDN GAL’s commitment. ACE crafts bags from ECONYL® nylon, significantly minimizing their environmental impact while ensuring recyclability. Eco-design, ethical labor practices, and local production underscore ACE’s values, alongside their dedication to marine preservation.

An Anniversary, Every Day

From waste to wear, a journey ignited by purpose and innovation. In a world grappling with environmental dilemmas, Healthy Seas shines as a guiding light, converting words into deeds. Their path serves as a reminder that every day can be a commemoration—an ode to our commitment to safeguarding the planet and fostering a lasting positive impact. Let’s raise a cheer for Healthy Seas’ remarkable voyage, a constant inspiration propelling a wave of change for the future.