Detrash vegan watches (made from ocean waste)

As concern about plastic pollution and environmental sustainability continues to grow, many consumers are looking for products that combine style with purpose. One brand helping to lead this movement is Detrash, a company dedicated to creating vegan watches made from ocean waste.

These watches are made from recycled stainless steel (one ‘leather’ is made from Budweiser beer waste, below!) or apple leather (from waste juice in Italy). Many straps are made from upcycled ocean trash.

These watches are sold with a 1-year guarantee, and many are water-resistant. In colours inspired by the sea (blue, green, grey), the range includes a a California dial mix (Arabic & Roman numerals).

Clean the head and strap with mild soapy warm water and a soft brush, then dry and store in its box, to prevent scratches. Remove when bathing, swimming or in saunas.

You can recycle watch batteries at jewellery shops. Send broken watches and straps (with odd earrings, broken jewellery and any currency bank notes) free post to Animal Free Research UK. Or War Paws (to help animals in war zones).

Why make watches with ocean plastic?

Each year, millions of tons of plastic enters our oceans, and this harms wildlife – plastic bottles, fishing waste and packaging, which lasts hundreds of years. This breaks down into microplastics that are ingested by marine creatures and also enters the human food chain.

Using up ocean waste in items like watches is better than using it for clothing (which can release microplastics in washing machines). And these watches are therefore also very sturdy, with waterproof straps.