At OUO, our design process doesn’t begin with a sketch; it begins with a cleanup. Every year, millions of tons of plastic and discarded fishing nets enter our oceans, threatening the delicate balance of marine life. For many, this is an environmental crisis. For the makers at OUO, it is a call to action. We believe that the "Wild" we love should be the source of our materials, not the victim of our waste.
From Reclaimed Plastic to GRS Fiber Our journey involves a complex cycle of restoration. We collaborate with coastal communities to intercept ocean-bound plastics before they can cause further damage. These materials—ranging from weathered bottles to ghost nets—are cleaned, shredded, and pelletized. Through state-of-the-art polymer engineering, they are spun into high-performance GRS (Global Recycled Standard) fibers. This is the "soul" of our fabrics, providing the same structural integrity as virgin nylon but with a fraction of the carbon footprint.
The Artisan’s Touch The true magic happens in our studio. We take these technical recycled fibers and weave them into our artisan series. Whether it is the heavy-duty webbing on our tactical umbrella systems or the reinforced base of our drinking series, every thread tells a story of rebirth. We are proving that sustainability does not have to be an alternative to high performance—it is the foundation of it. By choosing OUO, you are helping the ocean breathe a little easier, one product at a time.