When we think about protecting the Great Lakes, we often picture beach cleanups, plastic bottles, fishing line, and trash washing up along the shoreline. But there is another source of plastic pollution that is much harder to see: synthetic fibers released when we wash our clothes.
At Unsalted Seas, our connection to the Great Lakes isn't just about celebrating the water. It's about doing what we can to protect the freshwater, shorelines, and communities that make this region special. That's one reason we prioritize cotton-based apparel and products whenever possible.
The Problem With Synthetic Fibers
Many modern clothing products are made with synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic. These materials are derived from petroleum and are essentially plastic fibers.
Every time synthetic clothing is washed, tiny fibers can break away from the fabric. These microfibers can enter wastewater through washing machines. While wastewater treatment facilities can capture a significant portion of these particles, some can still make their way into waterways and eventually into lakes, rivers, and oceans.
For a brand built around the Great Lakes and Lake Superior, that's something worth paying attention to.
The Great Lakes contain roughly 20% of the world's surface freshwater, making them one of the most important freshwater systems on Earth. They are also home to countless species of fish and wildlife and provide drinking water for millions of people.
Keeping unnecessary plastic out of that system matters.
Why We Choose Cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber derived from the cotton plant rather than petroleum-based plastic. While no material is completely without environmental impact, choosing natural fibers such as cotton can help reduce our reliance on synthetic textiles and the plastic fibers associated with them.
That's why you'll find many Unsalted Seas products made from 100% cotton canvas or 100% ring-spun cotton.
Our pennants, for example, are made from 100% cotton canvas. Our graphic tees are made from 5.5 oz./yd², 100% ring-spun USA cotton. We believe that when we have the opportunity to choose a natural fiber that works well for the product, it's worth making that choice.
It's a small decision—but multiplied across the apparel industry, material choices can make a meaningful difference.
Better Choices for the Unsalted Seas
We don't believe sustainability has to mean perfection. It means continually making better choices.
For us, that starts with thinking about what our products are made from, how they're used, and what happens to them over time. We want to create Great Lakes apparel and goods that people love enough to wear, use, and keep for years—not disposable products designed to be replaced next season.
Choosing cotton is one piece of that philosophy.
We're also interested in the bigger picture: reducing unnecessary packaging, creating durable products, supporting organizations that protect freshwater, and encouraging people to spend more time experiencing the places we're trying to protect.
Because it's easier to care about a place when you've experienced it.
Protecting the Water We Call Home
The Great Lakes are often called the Unsalted Seas because of their incredible scale and ocean-like character without the saltwater. But they're more than a clever name. They're a freshwater ecosystem that supports communities, wildlife, recreation, industry, and generations of people who have built their lives along the shoreline.
From Lake Superior's North Shore to the islands, beaches, harbors, rivers, and communities surrounding all five Great Lakes, this region deserves thoughtful stewardship.
Choosing cotton won't solve the problem of plastic pollution on its own. But we believe brands should consider the environmental impact of the materials they sell—and consumers should have options that align with their values.
We make products to celebrate the Great Lakes. We want to make them in a way that respects them, too.
Because these aren't just lakes.
They're our Unsalted Seas. And they're worth protecting.