From Ocean Waste to Wave Wear: The Journey of Recycled Clothing

At Three Legged Cat Apparel, our love for the ocean is at the heart of everything we do. We're a small business with a big mission: to protect our planet for future generations. We know we're just a tiny drop in the ocean, but we believe that if we all try a little, we can make a huge difference.

One of the most inspiring things we've seen is how companies are turning ocean waste into stylish, high-performance apparel. This amazing process not only helps clean up our seas but also reduces the fashion industry's reliance on new materials. In this post, we’ll dive into the incredible journey of recycled surf apparel, from plastic bottles to your favorite hoodie.

The Transformation Process: From Waste to Wave Wear

The journey from plastic trash to premium gear is a brilliant example of innovation. Here’s how it works:

1. Collection

It all starts with cleaning up. Organisations and volunteers work tirelessly to gather plastic waste from beaches, rivers, and the ocean itself. This includes everything from single-use bottles to old fishing nets that would otherwise harm marine life.

2. Sorting and Cleaning

Once collected, the waste is sorted by plastic type and thoroughly cleaned to remove any contaminants. This step is key to ensuring the final product is high-quality.

3. Shredding and Processing

The sorted plastic is shredded into tiny flakes. These flakes are then melted down and turned into small pellets, which serve as the raw material for recycled polyester fibers.

4. Spinning into Yarn

The pellets are melted and extruded into a fine yarn. This yarn is just as strong and versatile as yarn made from new materials, but with a much lower environmental impact.

5. Weaving and Knitting

The recycled yarn is then woven or knitted into a durable fabric that has all the properties needed for high-performance surfwear, like flexibility, quick-drying capabilities, and lasting quality.

6. Designing and Manufacturing

Finally, this sustainable fabric is transformed into the stylish and functional apparel you love. We focus on creating pieces that not only look great but also help protect the places we love to explore.

Companies and Initiatives Leading the Way

The movement to turn ocean waste into fashion is growing, thanks to some incredible brands and organisations:

1. Parley for the Oceans

They partner with global brands like Adidas to create products from upcycled marine plastic. Their Parley Ocean Plastic® is a leader in turning trash into high-performance materials.

2. Ecoalf

This Spanish brand is a pioneer in sustainable fashion, creating entire collections from recycled materials, including plastic collected from the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Bureo

They specialize in recycling discarded fishing nets into a material called NetPlus®, which is used by brands like Patagonia for their popular board shorts and outerwear.

4. 4Ocean

Known for their cleanup efforts, 4Ocean funds its work by selling bracelets made from recycled ocean plastic, directly connecting consumers to their mission of a cleaner ocean.

Why We Choose Recycled Materials

Using recycled fabrics isn’t just a trend for us—it’s a core part of our commitment. While there are challenges like higher costs and sourcing complexities, the benefits far outweigh the

1. Envionmental Impact

By using recycled materials, we reduce the demand for new resources, conserve energy, and help clean up plastic pollution that threatens marine life.

2. Circular Economy

This process promotes a circular economy, where waste is seen as a resource. This helps minimise waste and reduces the overall environmental footprint of the fashion industry.

3. Consumer Awareness

Every product we create helps raise awareness about plastic pollution, encouraging others to make more thoughtful choices.

At Three Legged Cat, we’re proud to be a tiny part of this powerful movement. By being mindful of the fabrics and dyes we use, we’re doing our best to create stylish products that also contribute to a healthier ocean. Join us on this journey and make a difference with your next clothing purchase.