Plastic waste is a big problem. By 2050, the oceans could contain more waste than fish. Consumer demand for recycled fashion is on the rise, and more and more sports and fashion companies work with it - in different ways.

Econyl yarn from Aquafil is a 100 per cent regenerated nylon yarn derived from pre and post industrial waste such as discarded fishing nets and carpet fluff. Such materials, once they have reached the end of their useful life, instead of being disposed of in the landfill, are recovered and regenerated by means of a complex chemical-physical process. Aquafil works closely with fishing communities to enforce preventive actions to reduce the pollution caused by discarded fishing nets and to find new solutions for disposing of them in a financially and environmentally sustainable way. In producing the yarn, waste is collected and taken to a regeneration plant where the recycled nylon yarn is produced.

Seaqual, based in Spain, has close collaborations with the fishing industry and a new approach to ocean cleaning. Fishermen drag the ocean bed of waste for Seaqual to process into recycled polyester fibers. British-based swimwear brand Fatface has launched a new sustainable range made from recycled nylon.