VIN + OMI, Riverkeeper and Debbie Harry team up on T-shirts made from plastic bottles: ‘Stop Trashing the Hudson River’
December 9, 2021
Riverkeeper Team
Limited collection is among the works of art being sold through silent auction December 14 to support Riverkeeper’s work to protect and restore the Hudson.
Sending a message against plastic pollution – “Stop Trashing the Hudson River” – design studio VIN + OMI, environmental group Riverkeeper and rock icon Debbie Harry collaborated on a limited collection of T-shirts made from discarded plastic bottles from the Hudson, the No. 1 ingredient found in Hudson River shoreline trash. The shirts are among the items being offered through a silent art auction December 14 that will raise funds to support Riverkeeper’s work to protect and restore the Hudson.
The T-shirts bear the hand-printed slogan “Stop Trashing the Hudson” and each is signed by Debbie Harry. Participants can bid on one of the shirts, or have the chance to win one of three dozen others by participating in the auction.
You can register for the auction and learn more about the Riverkeeper Winter Reception and Art Auction happening December 14 at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, NYC, at this link. Bidding is open through 9 p.m. December 14.
Plastic bottles are the most common item found in trash along Hudson River shorelines, as reported by volunteers in the annual Riverkeeper Sweep, which takes place the first Saturday in May. More than 2,000 volunteers take part in cleanup and restoration projects up and down the Hudson and its tributaries during the annual event. During the 2021 event held May 1, volunteers collected 29 tons of debris, largely plastic.
‘SALVAGED’
VIN + OMI have worked with Debbie Harry for a number of years on a variety of projects including the groundbreaking eco project Stop Fucking the Planet which conveyed the hard hitting message through her clothing on International Blondie tours and media appearances.
From a suggestion by Debbie for VIN + OMI to work with Riverkeeper, VIN + OMI initiated the new project, SALVAGED.
A pilot project, SALVAGED was based on VIN + OMI’s pioneering work turning ocean and river waste plastic into textile which they initiated in Shanghai, China, in 2004.
Discarded plastic, including 430 plastic bottles, was collected from the banks along the Hudson as part of the Riverkeeper Sweep program, and volunteers also picked up plastic floating in the Hudson tributaries and along the banks.
The bottles were processed into plastic flakes, then pellets, then yarn, which went into producing a recycled plastic textile. The textile includes a stronger eco bonding to reduce the release of microfibres.
The textile was then made into T-shirts for Riverkeeper and hand-printed with a recycled plastic slogan “Stop Trashing the Hudson River.”
SALVAGED highlights the possibility of recycling waste into garments and also reminds us not to discard plastic or any waste product into our valuable waterways.
About VIN + OMI
VIN + OMI’s focus has been eco and sustainable design since 2000. Their fashion textile and design work includes an ongoing collaboration with Prince Charles to turn waste plants from his country estates into textiles.
VIN + OMI have produced over 40 new to market sustainable textiles and hold the largest 100% sustainable fashion shows globally to showcase their work. They work across the board in design and film and implement social impact and environmental projects to support their work.
Visit www.vinandomi.com
About Riverkeeper
Riverkeeper is a member-supported organization that protects and restores the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law. Visit www.riverkeeper.org
Learn more about Riverkeeper’s efforts against plastic pollution in New York’s waterways and save the date May 7 to join in the next Riverkeeper Sweep, a day of service for the Hudson stretching from Brooklyn to the Adirondacks.
About Debbie Harry
Photo: Guy Furrow
The name Debbie Harry evokes many images: seminal rock-n-roll figure, complex songstress, incandescent front woman, fashion icon and environmental activist. As a vibrant global pop culture influencer, Debbie’s chart-topping success, fearless spirit and rare longevity led to an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for Blondie in 2006, more than 40 million albums sold worldwide and acclaimed solo recording projects as well. Additionally, she has engaged in an acting career with over 30 film and television roles to her credit. Debbie has become a national treasure, one whose influence continues to impact the worlds of music, fashion and art. She is a member of Riverkeeper’s Leadership Council.
