PINKFISH Aquatic Outfitting, a two-year-old start-up that sells competitive and recreational swimwear made from recycled plastics, is branching out to unite swimmers to become advocates of protecting and preserving the health of our oceans.
“The swimming and diving community is tied to the ocean because oceans, rivers and lakes are where our sport began,” said Meghan Edwards, founder and CEO of PINKFISH. “With their passion for the water, swimmers as individuals and groups can make a huge difference and play a vital role in protecting our oceans, which now face annihilation.”
Edwards is taking a three-pronged approach towards reaching that goal:
- Educating swimmers and other water lovers about the dire state of our oceans and marine life through the company’s blog, community events, industry booths and informative materials;
- Uniting swimmers and the general public to action through beach cleanups and fundraising events;
- Committing to donate a portion of PINKFISH’s profits to conservation charities, including those dedicated to saving the oceans and sharks, while encouraging others to donate as well.
Eco-Friendly Suits and Packaging
Depending on the product, PINKFISH suits are made with 50%-100% recycled PET plastic, the same raw material used to make water bottles. The fabric is dyed through sublimation, which is a zero-waste process and highly energy efficient; the most eco-friendly way to dye.
The minimal packaging is also made from recycled and/or biodegradable materials, including the tags, mailers, and paperwork.
What’s in Store for the Future?
In May, PINKFISH will launch an athletic apparel line also made from recycled materials. Pre-orders are being taken on Kickstarter. A portion of the profits from this line will go to charities helping sharks.
The company’s longer-term goals include beginning a used swimsuit recycling program; making the suits using recycled entanglement (drifted fishing nets); and becoming a ZERO waste company.
The PINKFISH Story
Meghan Edwards starting swimming at the age of 8, quickly earning medals and setting records for her local summer swim team. She soon began training year-round and competing for swim clubs in the Fairfax County, VA area. She swam on the North Carolina State University swim team and coached teams in the summers. After graduating, she coached for several swim clubs.
But Edwards wanted to do more. Knowing exactly what makes a good swim team suit, she set out to design that, but with a catch: using recycled materials and minimal packaging.
With names like Crimson Crush, Cosmic Indigo and Tigerlily – and colorful designs that make a splash in or out of the water — PINKFISH’s suits include sports bikinis, one-pieces, and men’s speedos that can be bought by individuals and swim teams. And with each purchase comes the satisfaction that they’re helping to clean up and preserve the waters they love.
For more information, contact PINKFISH at [email protected]
Facebook.com/s4h2o
@swim4h2o
I: pinkfish_swim
Swim News courtesy of PINKFISH.
