The plight of our oceans is becoming increasingly visible in the media. Without action, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
Earlier in the year, Speedo held an ocean clean in honour of World Oceans Day. Celebrating their 90th anniversary, the Speedo team wanted to show their dedication to preserving the oceans for generations of water babies to come.
Rob Hicking, Brand Director for Speedo International, said: “Our 90th birthday is a very special one to us, it signifies what a long way we have come since Speedo’s conception in 1928. For us, this year is all about celebrating the people who have come along the journey with us, who share our passion for the water and telling their stories. It is also about giving back and using our position to highlight the global issue of plastic pollution in our world’s oceans, and doing something positive about it.”
Speedo has been using sustainable materials in their fabrics since 2015, namely 100% regenerated ECONYL® nylon. Currently, at least 15% of Speedo’s global collections feature ECONYL® and REPET yarn. These are innovative regenerated fibres produced by turning waste from fishing nets and other materials into first grade nylon fabric. Plans are in place to increase use of this product to at least 26% of the Speedo range globally by 2019.
Locally, Speedo Pacific designers have worked hard to develop an alternative and exclusive Eco-Fabric, which at a higher level of chlorine resistance, is designed to better suit the Australian and New Zealand climates.
Speedo ECO Fabric is sustainably made from reclaimed and recycled plastic water bottles that would otherwise go to landfill. The bottles are compacted, shredded, reconstituted and finally spun into PET flakes that are then woven to create yarn. This process reduces carbon dioxide emissions in manufacturing by up to 20% when compared to production of non-recycled yarn. The yarn is knitted into soft, durable and chlorine-resistant swimwear – the great quality you expect from Speedo.
Continuing their mission to have a positive impact on the planet, we are celebrating the New Zealand launch of Speedo’s latest range – the Virtual Bloom Cross-Training range. Designed to be worn both in & out of the water for your workouts, the Speedo Virtual Bloom range is constructed from the Speedo Eco Fabric, that’s soft on your skin and good for the environment.
As New Zealand’s only Speedo concept store, AUT Millennium’s Speedo Shop offers the widest range of Speedo swimsuits for all ages and stages, as well as training aids and accessories such as goggles and caps.
Shop now at shop.autmillennium.org.nz
