From Threads to Threats: The High Cost the wrong T-Shirt Choice has on Our Oceans

In the heart of The Salty Souls ethos lies a deep reverence for our oceans. We understand that the very fabric of conventional clothing poses a threat to our planet's most precious resource. Every time we wash our clothes, micro-plastic fibres find their way into the seas, adding to the degradation of our marine ecosystems. Recognising this,  we at the Salty Souls takes a stand for our oceans by crafting sustainable fashion that not only speaks to style but also echoes the voice of conservation. In this blog post, we unravel the story behind our commitment to sustainable materials and eco-conscious practices.

The Impact of Standard Clothing on Oceans

60% of the materials that form standard clothing items are forms of plastic (Nylon, acrylic, polyester). Your typical non-ecological clothes wash will produce around 700,000 microplastic fibres, that end up in our seas.

Polyester:

• Microfiber Pollution: As mentioned earlier, polyester fibers shed microplastics during washing, contributing to microfiber pollution in oceans. Marine life, including fish and shellfish, can ingest these microplastics, leading to health issues and potential bioaccumulation through the food chain.
• Non-Biodegradability: Polyester is not biodegradable, and plastic-based textiles like polyester persist in the environment for hundreds of years, adding to marine debris and harming marine animals that mistake it for food.

Standard Cotton:

• Pesticides and Chemicals: Conventional cotton cultivation often involves the heavy use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Runoff from agricultural fields can carry these chemicals into water bodies, affecting water quality and harming aquatic life.
• Water Consumption: Cotton is a water-intensive crop. Conventional cotton farming can lead to the depletion of water resources, affecting aquatic ecosystems and contributing to water scarcity in certain regions

 

Why Switching to Organic Cotton and Recycled Fabrics is Necessary

Benefits of Organic Cotton on the environment:

• Reduced Chemical Use: Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This reduces the contamination of nearby water sources and protects aquatic life from the harmful effects of agricultural chemicals.
• Water Efficiency: Organic cotton farming often employs more sustainable water management practices, reducing water consumption compared to conventional cotton farming.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Organic farming practices promote biodiversity, creating healthier ecosystems around agricultural areas, which can indirectly benefit nearby aquatic habitats.

And those of Recycled Fabrics:

• Reduction in Virgin Material Production: Using recycled polyester reduces the demand for new polyester production, lowering the environmental impact associated with the extraction of raw materials and the energy-intensive manufacturing process.
• Waste Reduction: Recycling polyester and other materials diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans, contributing to a cleaner environment and reducing the potential harm to marine life.
• Conservation of Resources: Recycling fabrics reduces the need for virgin materials, conserving natural resources like oil (used in polyester production) and reducing the environmental strain associated with their extraction.

 

By choosing  the Salty Souls, you're not just embracing beach wear; you're supporting a movement. A movement toward cleaner oceans, thriving marine life, and a sustainable future. Together, we can turn the tide against pollution, one sustainable garment at a time.

Join us in the journey to preserve our oceans and create a world where beach gear and sustainability coexist harmoniously. Let’s make waves, not waste.

Wear the Change.