From the Ocean to the Wardrobe
Necker Island’s new staff uniform made from reclaimed ocean waste
Necker Island may well be one of the world’s most exclusive luxury private islands, but when it comes to what’s at the heart of it, sustainability is front and centre.
Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma to the island in 2017, the island underwent more than two years of reconstruction and with that came the opportunity to further the island’s commitment to sustainability. As well as a solar wind farm and three giant new wind turbines that enable the island to run on up to 100% renewable energy, the island also has an incredible breeding programme for endangered wildlife, water irrigation systems, composting, sustainable menus and an incredible community programme, through the work of Unite BVI.
Its latest commitment has seen the introduction of a brand-new uniform for the entire team of staff made entirely from reclaimed ocean waste and recycled plastic bottles. The uniform has been specifically designed for the needs of the private-island team, in collaboration with eco-friendly clothing specialists Oceanя; who take post-consumer plastic bottle waste and transform it into to a wearable fabric made from recycled polyester. Necker Island’s new uniform alone has already prevented nearly 20,000 plastic bottles from going to landfill.
Kenton Jones, BVI Regional Manager for Virgin Limited Edition said: “Our team on Necker Island have seen first-hand the devastating effects of climate-crisis with rising sea-levels and our fair share of natural disasters, so we know how important it is to work towards a sustainable future. We’re extremely privileged to call one of the most exclusive private islands in the world, home; but with that comes a responsibility to lead the way too – and we are extremely proud to do so. “Oceanя do some incredible work in designing and making clothing apparel using recycled materials and we are delighted with our new bespoke uniform that combines island-life, sustainability and premium luxury perfectly.”
Tom Cotter, CEO of Oceanя commented: "Today we can no longer ignore the harsh reality that we're moving towards with unprecedented and life-threatening challenges for mankind and all things living. It is up to us to find creative ways to address these major concerns. “We were incredibly delighted to be working with such a renowned luxury brand and together lead the way in striving for a better future. We loved the challenge of designing a uniform that would work across the island to not only make it sustainable, but highly breathable and SPF50 to accommodate the hot climate, as well as quick-drying – and of course stylish.”
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Naomi Moreno-Melgar naomi.moreno@virginlimitededition.com
Tel: +44 (0) 208 600 0468
Or
Caroline Sheffield caroline.sheffield@virginlimitededition.com
Tel: +44 (0) 208 600 0472
Notes to Editors
How is the fabric made?
Recovered ocean waste plastics and post-consumer plastic bottles are collected and brought to an approved recycling facility where the conversion process of turning waste into wearable fabric begins:
- A flotation and separation process separates the different types of plastics and in the case of bottles removes the caps and labels from the bottles, as they are made of plastics with different characteristics.
- The selected Polyethylene Terephthalate materials are then processed into flakes.
- After being washed the flakes are melted.
- Yarns are pulled from the melted polyester and the result is a clean, valuable, and recycled raw material perfect for the textile fabric.
- The raw filament yarns are spun into yarn and ultimately woven into a variety of different fabrics.
Important facts:
• The fabric recycling process requires 86% less water than manufacturing regular polyester.
• Making these fabrics consumes 70% less energy than regular polyester.
• 1 kg of fabric can keep the equivalent of 60 water bottles out of the environment.
• Using these fabrics helps us to not only keep plastic out of the landfills and oceans, but also to save our natural resources.
• An average Necker Island t-shirt made from the recycled polyester uses the equivalent of 13 x 2 litre plastic bottles.
About Virgin Limited Edition
Virgin Limited Edition is an award-winning collection of unique retreats, chosen for their beautiful locations and magnificent surroundings; each offers a sense of fun, style, luxury and exceptional personal service. The group includes Necker Island and Moskito Island in the Caribbean’s British Virgin Islands, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa, Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, The Lodge in Verbier, Mahali Mzuri, a tented safari camp in Kenya, Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyard in South Africa, and the Son Bunyola Estate in Mallorca. Please visit www.virginlimitededition.com for more details.
About Oceanя
Rash'R was set up in 2018 by three friends who grew up in, on and around the water and what started out as a side project to create a range of eco friendly rash vests has grown into so much more. Rash'R now has over 100 products all made from sustainable materials and is constantly on the lookout for new and improved Eco fabrics. Back in 2019 Necker Island was one of the first luxury brands to initiate conversations around an eco-friendly uniform and came together with OceanR to create a bespoke range of staff uniform and boutique gift shop products, all from reclaimed ccean waste.