A FORMER swimming coach has launched her own eco-friendly swimwear brand made from recycled ocean plastics.
Mum of four, Elli Teague, was fed up at not being able to find stylish chlorine and sunscreen resistant costumes for her children.
That’s when she came up with Lexi-Bella swimwear which is made from plastic bags and bottles found in the world’s oceans.
Elli hopes to eventually expand her girls only costumes range, which also offer a 50SPF factor, to include boys and adults.
“As a swimming coach, I saw how a lot of swimming costumes looked great when new, but they soon wore out and had to be replaced,” explained Elli who lives in Wokingham.
“They would end up in landfill but no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t find sustainable swimsuits which were also stylish and provided protection with a high SPF factor.
“Over the years I have spent so much time hunting for the perfect swimwear, something pretty, sassy and that can stand up to the intense play children love.
“I investigated using recycled plastic polluting the oceans. We have all seen how much plastic waste is out there so I wondered if it could be put to good use.”
Elli is currently working with a firm on the Indonesian island of Bali because she has been unable to find a UK-based company to create her designs.
“I design the costumes which are made in Bali. I wanted them to be beautiful, contemporary, ethically made with high functioning recycled fabrics that have an SPF to ensure children can play for as long as they choose.
“The costumes are laser cut so there is no waste. Technology is changing all the time so we should harness it and cut down on waste.
“When Lexi-Bella swimwear eventually wears out, it can be recycled rather than sending it to landfill.”
The company is named after Elli’s two youngest daughters, Lola-Bella and Lexi-Raye but the new business is a true family affair.
Daughter Millie, 19 is studying marketing and son Charlie, 17, plans to go into sales while husband, Ross, works in IT.
Elli is set to launch her new business in the next few weeks. For more information, go to: www.lb-swim.co.uk
