Do you know what is better than beach and ocean clean-ups? Using the collected pollutants to create something new and useful! Out of them, the most common is, without a doubt, plastic. At least 14 million tons of it end in the oceans every year, making up 80% of the marine debris. When the waves wash up on the shore, that plastic adds up with the litter that beach-goers throw there. So, if someone decides to use that trash as their own treasure- a resource to create accessories and shoes- it helps the waters stay clearer and the wearer stylish. Founded in 2019, the brainchild of Andre and Andreia, Skizo has brought this idea into existence.
Recycled Resources
Skizo is a social and environmental impact company that strives to bring breakthrough textile innovations and patents through lifestyle products. It is supported by the innovative ecosystem and textile business in Portugal, as they all aim to tackle the pollution and wastage that is conventionally produced in the fashion and clothing industry. An important part of their treasure hunt in the ocean is old fishnets, made available by fishermen and beach cleaners, forming a big chunk of the plastic they collect. Plastics like PET bottles, polypropylene, polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene (LDPE) are common. However, these materials are not used for mass production- the creators realised that customisation was the way to go for a sustainable accessories brand- it would “create less waste, use fewer natural resources and decrease impulse buying.”
Walking in their shoes
The first big step towards the expansion of their online store was through the introduction of masks- at the height of covid- with textile made from plastic. Then came the shoes, bags, glasses, and most importantly, Skizo YARN- a fully traceable raw material made of marine litter. The Skizo shoes are a lineage in themselves, as the craft dates back to the 12th century, with a tradition of handmade work. Produced in Sao Joao da Madeira or the “Shoe Industry Capital,” this is where the expertise of generational shoemakers is mingled with modern technology to make them durable and comfortable. A pair of sneakers at Skizo contains approximately half a kilo of plastic, equating to almost 36 plastic bottles.
Andreia and Andre’s work is helping fishermen and resulting in cleaner oceans. They team up with local communities, NGOs, research institutes and national authorities to fulfil their aims. Their mission is help the environment recover, to compensate for their counterparts littering it. They also plan to open litter processing plants in other locations of the world to provide a “local solution for a global problem.”
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