Sustainability: At the Heart of Tide + Seek
At Tide + Seek, we're passionate about creating swimwear that not only makes you look and feel amazing but also contributes to a healthier planet. We believe that style and sustainability can go hand-in-hand, and we're committed to minimizing our environmental impact through innovative practices and a circular approach to fashion.
Recycled Materials: From Bottle to Bikini
At Tide + Seek, we believe that even the smallest things can make a big difference. That's why we've chosen to craft our swimwear from recycled materials, giving new life to plastic bottles that might otherwise end up polluting our oceans and landfills.
Our swimwear fabric is made using REPREVE®, a high-quality recycled fibre created from post-consumer plastic bottles. REPREVE® has helped recycle over 30 billion plastic bottles. But how does a plastic bottle become a beautiful bikini? Here's a glimpse into the incredible journey:
- COLLECTION: Used plastic bottles are collected and sorted.
- CLEANING: The bottles are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised.
- FLAKING The bottles are chopped into small flakes.
- MELTING: The flakes are melted down into a liquid.
- SPINNING: The liquid is spun into yarn.
- WEAVING: The yarn is woven into fabric.
- DYEING & FINISHING: The fabric is dyed and finished to meet our high standards for quality and performance.
By using REPREVE®, we are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save water and energy compared to using virgin polyester.
The result? A stunning, sustainable swimwear fabric that's soft, durable, and chlorine resistant, all while reducing our reliance on virgin resources.
By choosing recycled materials, we're not only minimising our environmental footprint, but also making a tangible impact on the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans and landfills.
FUN FACT: Every Tide + Seek bikini gives new life to approximately 5 plastic bottles. Our yoga surf leggings repurpose an impressive 25 plastic bottles.
But the impact goes far beyond Tide + Seek:
Globally, only 56% of the 1.2 million plastic bottles used every minute are recycled. REPREVE® has transformed over 30 billion plastic bottles into recycled fibre. We're proud to be part of this incredible movement towards a more sustainable future. By choosing REPREVE®, we're contributing to a global effort to reduce plastic waste and conserve resources. * Sources: Repreve
We also utilise Econyl®, a regenerated nylon fibre made from discarded fishing nets and other nylon waste, for the lining of our swimwear. This innovative material helps to clean up our oceans and reduce waste, while providing exceptional comfort and performance.
Our commitment to recycled materials extends beyond our products. We've also previously initiated a recycling program that encouraged our customers to recycle their old swimwear, further contributing to a circular economy and reducing textile waste.
While we were overwhelmed by the positive response to this program and had to temporarily pause it to ensure its long-term sustainability, we remain dedicated to promoting responsible recycling. To cut out the middle person and reduce unnecessary shipping, we now provide clear directions guiding our customers to local recycling facilities or initiatives that specialise in textile recycling.
We believe that by making conscious choices about the materials we use and empowering our customers to make informed decisions, we can create a ripple effect that inspires positive change within the fashion industry and beyond.
Ethical Manufacturing: Partners in Sustainability
At Tide + Seek, we believe that sustainability goes beyond just the materials we use. It's also about the people who make our swimwear and the impact we have on their lives and communities. That's why we're committed to ethical manufacturing practices that prioritise fair wages, safe working conditions, and employee empowerment.
We've forged a strong partnership with a carefully selected manufacturing facility in Bali, Indonesia. This factory shares our commitment to ethical practices and social responsibility. They prioritise the well-being of their employees and provide a safe and supportive working environment.
Our Partner's Ethical Practices:
Exemplary Labour Practices: Our manufacturing partner goes above and beyond to ensure fair and ethical treatment of its employees. They have been awarded a tax-free licence by the Indonesian Government for adhering to all Indonesian Manpower regulations on the treatment of staff, waste disposal, and water treatment.
Fair Wages and Benefits: All employees at our partner factory are paid well over the minimum wage and receive 13 months' salary a year. They also provide free medical insurance covering doctors' fees, prescribed medication, and hospitalisation to each employee, their spouse, and up to three children.
Safe and Enjoyable Working Environment: Our partner prioritises the well-being of its employees, fostering a safe, respectful, and enjoyable working environment.
We believe in transparency and traceability throughout our supply chain. We maintain open communication with our factory partners and conduct regular visits to ensure that our ethical standards are being upheld.
We recognise that behind every piece of Tide + Seek swimwear are the skilled and dedicated individuals who made it possible. We value the contributions of our factory partners and strive to create a positive and mutually beneficial relationship.
Ethical manufacturing is not just a box to tick for Tide + Seek; it's an integral part of our brand's DNA. We're proud to support a company that shares our values and commitment to creating a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry.
Beyond the Bikini: Embracing the Circular Economy
A circular economy is a model of production and consumption that aims to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials at their highest value, and regenerate nature. In the fashion industry, this means moving away from the traditional linear model of "take, make, dispose" and embracing a more sustainable approach that prioritises:
Durability: Designing products that are made to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Recyclability: Using materials that can be recycled or repurposed at the end of their life cycle.
Resource Efficiency: Minimising the use of virgin resources and maximising the use of recycled or renewable materials.
Recycled Materials: We utilise high-quality recycled fabrics, such as REPREVE®, which is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. This helps to reduce plastic waste and conserve precious resources. We also use Econyl®, a regenerated nylon fibre made from discarded fishing nets and other nylon waste, for the lining of our swimwear. This innovative material helps to clean up our oceans and reduce waste, while providing exceptional comfort and performance.
Durable Designs: Our swimwear is designed to be durable and long-lasting, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimising textile waste.
Recycling Programme: We have encouraged our customers to recycle their old swimwear through our recycling program, giving materials a new life and preventing them from ending up in landfills. Plus currently providing guidance on where you can directly send your used or unwanted garments.
Biodegradable Packaging: We use biodegradable packaging to minimise our impact on the environment. This means our packaging will naturally decompose over time, reducing waste and pollution.
Continuous Improvement: We're constantly exploring new innovations in sustainable materials and production processes, such as introducing a pre-loved vintage swimwear range, seeking to further reduce our environmental impact and contribute to a more circular fashion industry.
Give Your Swimwear a Second Life! We encourage our customers to recycle their old swimwear through our recycling programme, giving materials a new life and preventing them from ending up in landfills.
Minimising waste and maximising the lifespan of swimwear is our priority. Our initial recycling program highlighted the global challenge of overconsumption. To optimise sustainability, we've implemented a direct connection system linking you to trusted partners. This reduces our environmental impact and ensures efficient resource allocation. For more information click here.