Plastic pollution is one of the most visible and pressing environmental issues of our time—especially in coastal communities where discarded plastic often ends up in the ocean. As fashion brands search for ways to reduce their environmental impact, sourcing materials made from ocean-bound plastic has become more popular. But how do you know if that plastic was actually diverted from the ocean—and not just another vague marketing claim? That’s where OceanCycle comes in.

OceanCycle is a social enterprise and third-party certification program that verifies the sourcing of ocean-bound plastics. It ensures that the plastic used in certified products was collected ethically and responsibly from coastal areas at high risk for ocean pollution—typically within 50 kilometers of shorelines where waste management is insufficient or nonexistent.

The OceanCycle certification goes beyond just materials. It ensures transparency and traceability in the collection process and includes rigorous standards for social compliance, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and protections for the informal waste-collection economy.

Fashion has an enormous footprint—especially when it comes to synthetic fibers like polyester, which are derived from fossil fuels and often shed microplastics. By using recycled ocean-bound plastic, brands can help:

• Divert waste before it reaches the ocean
• Reduce dependence on virgin plastic
• Support coastal communities through ethical sourcing practices
• Promote traceability and accountability in material sourcing

But as with any sustainability claim, transparency is key. OceanCycle ensures that materials labeled as ocean-bound plastic are exactly that—gathered from vulnerable coastlines and responsibly processed.

OceanCycle certification focuses on the raw materials themselves—specifically the recycled plastic pellets made from ocean-bound plastic. These pellets are then used to create a range of products, including:

• Recycled Polyester (rPET): Often used in activewear, swimwear, and outerwear
• Product Packaging: Tags, labels, and shipping materials made from recycled plastics

The certification applies to both the collection process and the entire supply chain, ensuring that every step—from pickup to processing—is documented and verifiable.

When you see the OceanCycle label, it means:

• The plastic was collected from a certified high-risk coastal area
• Ethical labor standards were upheld
• The material is traceable through the supply chain

These claims are verified through audits, GPS tracking, and chain-of-custody documentation—so you’re not just taking anyone’s word for it.

At Losano, we’re committed to reducing plastic pollution and supporting clean oceans. That’s why we source OceanCycle-certified recycled polyester for select collections, ensuring that our materials are not only sustainable, but also responsibly sourced.

We believe that fashion should be part of the solution—not the problem. Using OceanCycle-certified materials allows us to support coastal communities, keep plastics out of our oceans, and create high-performance fabrics you can feel good about wearing.

ocean-bound plastics. It ensures that materials are ethically sourced, socially responsible, and environmentally impactful—providing real transparency in an industry that too often lacks it.

At Losano, we believe that better choices start with better materials. OceanCycle helps us turn plastic waste into purposeful fashion.

Curious about how our recycled materials are sourced? Reach out—we’re always happy to share more about the certifications behind your clothes.