Normally, when we wash clothes, microfibers are discharged from natural fibers, microplastics are discharged from synthetic fibers such as polyester, and flow into streams and rivers along with the washing water wastewater, and finally end up in the sea. The main difference between microfibers and microplastics is biodegradable: when released into the washwater, the microfibers from the cotton decompose 76% in 8 months and continue to decompose thereafter, while the microplastics only decompose 6% over the same period and then the decomposition process stops*. Microplastics, which have the property of being difficult to decompose, have been regarded as a problem in recent years because they can not only affect the living organisms of marine organisms but also our bodies that eat marine organisms by floating in the ocean.
*Source: North Carolina State University, Faculty of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Environmental Resources
In response to this situation, TOYOSHIMA is developing organic cotton laundry goods "KARAMARINE". It is difficult to make all textile products we wear and use natural fibers, but we aim to contribute to the reduction of the outflow of microplastics by at least changing the laundry nets from polyester to organic cotton. "KARAMARINE" is named in the image of a squid swimming in the beautiful "MARINE" of the "sky" (KARA) free of microplastics and other garbage.
This time, the pool bag and pouch designed in collaboration with TRUNK Atelier using the net material of "KARAMARINE" have been adopted as room amenities for the luxury boutique hotel "TRUNK (HOTEL) YOYOGI PARK", which opened on September 1, 2023 (Friday). The key points are the specifications that allow you to see the contents with the mesh fabric that is a feature of "KARAMARINE" and the name tag printed with Akina Haga's illustration. In addition, the fabric uses traceable organic cotton "TRUECOTTON" that can be traced "where and who made it".
THE POOL BAG CAN BE USED TO PROVIDE RENTAL ITEMS WHEN TRANSPORTING TO THE ROOFTOP POOL POOL AT THE TRUNK (POOL CLUB), WHICH IS RESERVED FOR GUESTS.
In the future, "KARAMARINE" will continue to propose laundry goods made of organic cotton to various companies with the aim of contributing to the control of the outflow of microplastics.
■ TRUNK (HOTEL) Inc.https://www.trunk-base.com/
As a boutique hotel brand from Japan, it opened in May 2017 in front of Jingu in Shibuya-ku with the concept of "socializing" that "each person should live in their own way, without overdoing it, and with a social purpose" in their daily lifestyle. In 2019, he opened TRUNK (HOUSE), an exclusive accommodation facility in Kagurazaka that was renovated from a former geisha's rehearsal hall. And in September 2023, TRUNK (HOTEL) YOYOGI PARK is scheduled to open in Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku. Aiming to create hotels with different concepts for each location, we provide a unique luxury accommodation experience.
AboutKARAMARINE https://karamari-ne.jp/
KARAMARINE, an organic cotton laundry miscellaneous goods, was born with the aim of contributing to the suppression of microplastics generated from polyester laundry nets during washing by making not only cotton clothes but also laundry miscellaneous goods when washing them made of cotton. The name is based on the image of a squid swimming in the beautiful "MARINE" of the "sky" free of microplastics (KARA).
■About TRUECOTTON http://truecotton.jp/
Organic cotton yarn that can identify "farms and spinning mills".
Toyoshima & Co., Ltd. was born by signing an exclusive sales agreement with UCAK TEKSTIL, a Turkish organic spinning groove that is a representative of traceable cotton, for Japanese companies. Since integrated management from farm to spinning can be performed, it is possible to provide organic cotton yarn that can identify "farm and spinning factory". Cotton is grown from seeds that have not been genetically modified, and is harvested by machine picking, so it is organic cotton that is less contaminated with foreign substances.
Choosing organic cotton actually protects producers from health hazards such as pesticides. It is an organic cotton yarn made in an environment where even people who work in spinning cotton factories who make yarn can feel that they will work energetically tomorrow.
Instagram: @true_cotton
