When you look at a stunning photograph of the ocean: the deep blues, the rhythmic ripples, the silent power of the waves: it’s hard to imagine that beneath that surface, a battle is being fought. Our oceans are facing an unprecedented crisis. Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter our marine ecosystems, and much of it comes from items we use every single day without a second thought.
At Moss Apparel, we believe that fashion shouldn't just look good; it should do good. We’ve partnered with Seven Clean Seas, an ocean-impact organization on a mission to become the largest preventer of ocean plastic pollution. By building recovery projects in some of the world’s most polluted hotspots, like Indonesia and Thailand, they’ve already removed over 5.5 million kg of plastic.
But how do those items end up there in the first place? And more importantly, how can you help stop it? Let’s dive into five everyday items that are destroying marine life and how your wardrobe choices can actually fund the solution.
1. SINGLE-USE PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES
We’ve all been there: running errands, thirsty, and grabbing a quick bottle of water from the convenience store. It seems harmless, but those bottles are among the most common microplastic sources in the ocean. Exposure to sun, waves, and heat causes these bottles to break down into tiny fragments. These fragments don't biodegrade; they just get smaller and smaller until they are eaten by plankton and fish, entering the very base of the food chain.
Recent analyses estimate there are over 170 trillion plastic particles floating in our oceans today. Every time you opt for a reusable steel bottle instead of a single-use plastic one, you are directly reducing that number.
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2. PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AND PACKAGING
Plastic bags are a silent killer, especially for one of the ocean's most beloved residents: the sea turtle. To a hungry sea turtle, a floating plastic bag looks exactly like a jellyfish: a primary food source. Once ingested, these bags cause digestive blockages, leading to malnutrition and, eventually, death.
It’s estimated that 86% of all sea turtle species are affected by plastic ingestion or entanglement. This is why we featured the majestic sea turtle in our Seven Clean Seas collection. It’s a reminder of exactly what we are fighting to protect.
Sea Turtle Swimming Along Sarasota Florida Coast – Wildlife Apparel by Moss Apparel
VIEW SEA TURTLE UNISEX T-SHIRT
Our Sea Turtle Swimming Along Sarasota Florida Coast Unisex T-Shirt is more than just a comfortable, lightweight tee. It’s a commitment. Made from premium Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, it’s designed to be your favorite shirt for years, not a single season. By choosing durable, high-quality apparel, you reduce the overall demand for the "fast fashion" packaging that clutters our waterways.
3. SYNTHETIC CLOTHING MICROFIBERS
This one surprises many people. Every time you wash synthetic clothing: think polyester, nylon, or acrylic: thousands of tiny plastic microfibers are shed into the water. These fibers are so small they pass right through wastewater treatment plants and head straight for the ocean. A single synthetic garment can release over 1,900 microfibers per wash.
This is why Moss Apparel focuses on high-quality materials and blends that prioritize durability. Our Seven Clean Seas collection uses premium cotton faces and ring-spun fabrics to ensure that your clothes last longer and stay out of the landfill (and the ocean).
Seven Clean Seas Sustainable Hoodie – Wildlife Apparel by Moss Apparel
SHOP THE SEVEN CLEAN SEAS SUSTAINABLE HOODIE
The Seven Clean Seas Sustainable Hoodie features breathtaking photography of a school of fish by Robert Moss. It’s a midweight, softstyle hoodie made with 80% ring-spun US cotton. It’s built for those who value both style and sustainability, providing a cozy layer that supports a much larger cause.
4. PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS WITH MICROBEADS
While many countries have started banning them, microbeads: tiny plastic spheres found in exfoliating scrubs and toothpastes: are still a major issue. Like microfibers, these beads are designed to be washed down the drain, where they become a permanent part of the marine environment.
Switching to natural exfoliants like salt, sugar, or crushed walnut shells is an easy, everyday win for the ocean. When you stop buying products with "polyethylene" on the ingredient list, you stop the flow of primary microplastics at the source.
5. ABANDONED FISHING GEAR (GHOST GEAR)
"Ghost gear" refers to fishing nets, lines, and lures that are lost or discarded at sea. These plastic-based materials continue to "fish" long after the humans are gone, entangling sharks, dolphins, and massive schools of fish. As this gear eventually breaks down, it contributes to the soup of microplastics that degrades the vitality of reef ecosystems.
Protecting these ecosystems is at the heart of our mission. When you wear our "School of Fish" designs, you aren't just wearing a beautiful piece of art; you're helping fund the removal of the very gear that threatens them.
Ocean Conservation School of Fish Graphic Sweatshirt – Wildlife Apparel by Moss Apparel
VIEW SCHOOL OF FISH SWEATSHIRT
Our Ocean Conservation School of Fish Graphic Sweatshirt is a premium heavy-blend piece that features air-jet yarn for a softer feel and reduced pilling. It’s a literal representation of the marine biodiversity we are working to save.
HOW YOUR WARDROBE CAN HELP: THE MOSS APPAREL X SEVEN CLEAN SEAS PARTNERSHIP
We know that individual choices matter, but systemic change requires big action. That’s why Moss Apparel has committed to a long-term partnership with Seven Clean Seas.
10% OF EVERY PURCHASE FROM THE SEVEN CLEAN SEAS COLLECTION GOES DIRECTLY TO REMOVING PLASTIC FROM THE OCEAN.
This isn't just a vague promise. Seven Clean Seas is Verra-certified and has a transparent recovery model. They work in the regions most impacted by plastic pollution, providing fair-wage jobs to local communities while cleaning up the beaches and waterways that need it most. Their goal is to eliminate 100 million kg of plastic by 2030.
When you purchase a Seven Clean Seas Marine Life Crewneck Sweatshirt, you are funding the "boots on the ground" (and boats in the water) that physically pull plastic out of the sea.
Seven Clean Seas Marine Life Crewneck Sweatshirt – Wildlife Apparel by Moss Apparel
WEAR YOUR VALUES
The beauty of the ocean is fragile, but it is resilient. By making small changes to the items we use daily: and being intentional about where we buy our clothing: we can turn the tide on plastic pollution.
Moss Apparel was founded on the idea that high-quality photography can connect us to the wild places we love. Whether it’s a photograph of a sea turtle off the coast of Sarasota or a school of fish in Costa Rica, these images remind us what is at stake.
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Take a look at the full collection. Wear something that looks amazing, feels comfortable, and makes a real, measurable difference for our blue planet.
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