From Recycled Materials To Apparel

The Material Revolution at NoNetz

In a world drowning in plastic and textile waste, we at NoNetz asked ourselves a simple question: What if the most comfortable clothes could also be the most sustainable? This wasn't just an idle thought—it became our mission.

Today, that question has transformed into a full-fledged material revolution. We're not just creating apparel; we're reimagining what clothing can be by transforming waste into comfort. From the ocean's discarded fishing nets to sawdust swept from workshop floors, we're giving new life to materials that would otherwise contribute to our planet's growing waste problem.

But sustainability alone isn't enough. Each piece we create must pass our strict comfort test: If it isn't the most comfortable item in your drawer, we go back to the drawing board. Here's how we're turning yesterday's waste into today's most comfortable, cooling family apparel—and why it matters for everyone.

From Ocean Plastic to Perfect Swim Trunks

Every minute, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into our oceans. At NoNetz, we're doing something about it.

Our signature swim trunks begin their journey as discarded plastic bottles. These bottles—which would otherwise contribute to the 8 million tons of plastic entering our oceans annually—are collected, cleaned, and transformed into a remarkably soft, durable fabric that moves with you.

But we didn't stop at making sustainable swim trunks. We made them better than anything else on the market. Our trunks are designed with a revolutionary liner that eliminates the mesh found in traditional swimwear—the leading cause of rashes and discomfort. The result? Swimwear that's not only helping clean up our oceans but also provides unparalleled comfort for hours of beach play or pool lounging.

The transformation process is remarkable. Each pound of reclaimed plastic saves approximately 16,000 BTUs of energy and reduces carbon emissions by 30% compared to virgin polyester production. Plus, our swim trunks dry 50% faster than traditional options, meaning less time feeling soggy and more time enjoying your activities.

Curious about how our rash-free design works? Learn more about preventing swim trunk rashes on our dedicated blog.

Reclaimed Fishing Nets: Kids' Rashguards That Actually Prevent Rashes

When it comes to kids' swimwear, the irony hasn't been lost on us: most "rash guards" actually cause rashes due to their synthetic materials and irritating seams. We decided to solve this problem with one of the ocean's most harmful pollutants—abandoned fishing nets.

Ghost fishing nets make up about 10% of all marine debris and can continue trapping and killing marine life for decades. Our solution? Collect these nets, break them down, and transform them into the softest, most comfortable fabric for kids' rashguards.

The engineering behind this transformation is cutting-edge. The reclaimed nylon from fishing nets is processed into a silky-smooth yarn that's inherently anti-chafe and gentle on even the most sensitive skin. We've eliminated the harsh seams that cause irritation and designed each piece to provide UPF 50+ sun protection.

Parents consistently tell us these are the first rashguards their kids don't beg to take off after 10 minutes. That's a win for families and for oceans.

Want to understand why traditional rashguards cause problems? Check out our explainer on why kids' rash guards cause rashes and how our solution addresses each issue.

Corn Leaves to Couture: Women's Swimwear That Moves With You

In the agricultural industry, corn leaves are typically discarded after harvest—millions of tons of potential going to waste. At NoNetz, we saw an opportunity to transform this natural byproduct into something extraordinary.

Our women's swimwear collection utilizes reclaimed corn leaves processed into a revolutionary bio-based fabric. The transformation begins when the corn leaf fibers are extracted and spun into a yarn that's naturally moisture-wicking and incredibly soft against skin.

The benefits go beyond sustainability. Corn-derived fabric brings natural benefits that synthetic materials can't match:

• Natural stretch and recovery that maintains shape wear after wear
• Breathability that synthetic fabrics simply can't replicate
• Hypoallergenic properties ideal for sensitive skin
• Natural UV resistance without chemical treatments

The result is women's swimwear that feels like a second skin, moves with every stroke and stretch, and stays comfortable whether you're lounging poolside or swimming laps. Best of all, when these garments eventually reach the end of their (long) life, they biodegrade significantly faster than conventional synthetics.

Our women's collection showcases how agricultural waste can become high-performance apparel that outperforms traditional options in both comfort and environmental impact.

Brooklyn-Made Magic: From Sawdust to Premium Athleisure

When local woodworkers sweep up at the end of the day, few imagine their sawdust will become premium athletic wear. Yet that's exactly what happens in our Brooklyn workshop, where we've pioneered a revolutionary process to transform sawdust into some of the most comfortable athleisure you'll ever wear.

The process begins with collecting sawdust from FSC-certified wood operations. This fine wood waste—which would typically end up in landfills—undergoes a specialized dissolving process that breaks it down to the cellulose level. This cellulose is then spun into a remarkably soft, temperature-regulating yarn.

Our athleisure lines and women's swimwear support local manufacturing and reduces the carbon footprint associated with global shipping.

The benefits of our sawdust-derived fabric are remarkable:

• Naturally anti-odor properties from the wood's inherent characteristics
• Moisture management that keeps you dry during intense workouts
• Thermoregulation that keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter
• Incredible softness that improves with each wash

Perhaps most importantly, our on-demand manufacturing in Brooklyn means we create each piece only when ordered, eliminating overproduction waste that plagues the fashion industry. Your joggers or hoodie doesn't exist until you order it—the ultimate in waste reduction.

Learn more about how we're revolutionizing sustainable fabric and why it matters for both comfort and the environment.

The Coolest Innovation: Minerals in Polos That Keep You 300% Cooler

Traditional moisture-wicking technology has limitations—it only works once you're already sweating, and its cooling effect is minimal. We wanted something dramatically better for our polo shirts, something that would keep you cool before you even break a sweat.

The answer came from the earth itself: cooling minerals embedded directly into the fabric of our polos.

These specialized minerals work through a process called phase change technology. As your body temperature rises, the minerals absorb that heat energy and store it, effectively preventing your body from overheating. When your temperature drops, they release the stored energy, creating a continuous temperature-regulating effect.

The difference is dramatic—laboratory testing confirms our mineral-embedded polos keep wearers up to 300% cooler than traditional moisture-wicking shirts. For golfers, hikers, or anyone spending time outdoors, this means:

• Less sweat production in the first place
• Lower body temperature during activity
• Extended comfort in hot conditions
• Reduced odor-causing bacteria (which thrive in warm, moist environments)

Combined with our commitment to using recycled materials in the base fabric, these polos represent the perfect marriage of sustainability and cutting-edge performance technology.

For golfers looking to stay cool on the course, check out our tips on how to improve your golf game with the right apparel choices.

A Family Approach to Sustainable Comfort

What makes NoNetz truly unique is our whole-family approach. We didn't want to create sustainable options for just men, women, or kids—we wanted solutions for everyone. Each family member can wear apparel made from reclaimed materials specifically designed for their needs and activities.

This family-centered approach means:

• Dad's swim trunks made from recycled water bottles prevent chafing during beach volleyball
• Mom's swimsuit derived from corn leaves provides comfortable support for swimming laps
• Kids' rashguards from reclaimed fishing nets actually prevent the rashes they're named for
• Everyone's athleisure from sawdust feels incredibly soft for family movie nights
• Parents' polos with cooling minerals make coaching Little League in summer heat bearable

By addressing the specific needs of each family member, we've created a sustainable wardrobe solution that doesn't require compromise on comfort or performance.

The Future of Comfortable, Sustainable Apparel

At NoNetz, we're just getting started. WE continue to explore new waste streams that can be transformed into exceptional fabrics. We're currently researching coffee grounds for odor-resistant performance wear, algae for biodegradable footwear, and agricultural waste for next-generation thermal layers.

The fashion industry is one of the world's largest polluters, but it doesn't have to be. By reimagining what materials can become apparel and focusing relentlessly on both sustainability and comfort, we're proving that the most comfortable clothes your family owns can also be the most environmentally responsible.

Every plastic bottle, fishing net, corn leaf, and handful of sawdust we transform represents a small victory for our planet. When those materials also create the most comfortable apparel your family has ever worn, everybody wins.

Ready to experience the difference? Explore our full collection of sustainable family apparel and discover why comfort and sustainability are perfect partners.

For a deeper dive into our sustainability journey, visit our blog post on the most sustainable activewear and learn more about our ongoing commitment to comfortable, planet-friendly innovation.