Some studies estimate that up to eight million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans each year. 600,000 tonnes of that comes from fishing nets, which can harm marine life and coral reef. The ultimate goal is to reduce the waste going into the oceans in the first place but until then, innovations in the textile industry are helping to repurpose some of the plastic already in our seas. Econyl is one of those innovations; it repurposes nylon from abandoned fishing nets, turning it into usable material.
One brand using Econyl in its current swimwear collection is Mini Rodini. Mini Rodini has long been committed to sustainability, with eco-friendly practices taking centre stage in everything they create. Their collections consist of 80% more sustainable options, such as upcycled textiles, lyocell, GOTS certified organic cotton, and Econyl. Not only is Mini Rodini eco-friendly, but every item is beautifully finished in a fun, playful print - sure to spark little imaginations.
27 Jul 2021
What is Econyl?
Econyl is a truly innovative material, regenerating fishing nets and other nylon waste into recycled nylon yarn. Unlike some other repurposed materials, Econyl uses a closed-loop principle; this means the end product can be infinitely recycled, making it highly sustainable. Econyl also boasts some impressive environmental stats. Nylon is a form of plastic, meaning it comes from crude oil. For every 10,000 tonnes of Econyl produced, 70,000 barrels of crude oil are saved, and 65,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions are avoided when compared like-for-like with its non-recycled counterpart.
Organic and natural fibres are often preferred due to their earth-friendly properties, but new materials like Econyl also have a significant role to play. By reducing our overall plastic consumption and repurposing the plastic waste already in existence, we can hopefully start to make a difference in the levels of plastic polluting our oceans. Although it may seem like a monumental task, there are ways you can help! From checking clothing materials before you buy to being mindful when at the beach, there are small actions that can collectively make a big difference.
Girls
Mini Rodini & Sustainability
Mini Rodini is known for its bright prints featuring colourful fruit, blossoming flowers, and happy animals. However, this isn't a case of style-over-substance. Mini Rodini place sustainability at the centre of their collections, with eco-friendly materials making up over 80% of the materials they use. Not only do they actively source more sustainable materials, but they also choose not to use unsustainable textiles such as conventional cotton, rayon, and non-recycled polyester.
The movement towards earth-friendly fabrics doesn't mean lower quality clothing; Mini Rodini's new swimwear line is made entirely from Econyl, which holds the same properties and quality as non-recycled nylon (as well as being kinder to the planet!). On top of this, all of Mini Rodini's Econyl swimwear line comes with UPF 50+, meaning it blocks out over 97.5% of the sun's harmful rays, keeping little ones safe whilst playing in the sunshine. Much like all of the best children's clothing, it's durable, comfortable, and imaginative, which is what we've come to expect from Mini Rodini.
All images by Mini Rodini
Discover Mini Rodini
Related Features
Safe in the Sun | Top Tips from @themedicmummy
Keep your little ones cool and safe in the sun this summer with top tips from Dr Tara of @themedicmummy.
Best Family Staycations | Best Beaches in the UK
Getting ready to head off on a beach holiday this summer? Take a look at our top 10 spots across the UK and be inspired to try somewhere new.
What do you think of this article?
Love it!
You already love it
Not for me
Already not for me