Sustainability Reimagined

Our Approach.                                

 

At Tama, sustainability isn’t a marketing line, it’s the question we wake up with every day. How can we do better by the ocean, by women, by the future?

We don’t pretend to be perfect. We’re a small brand, with limits in scale and resources. We can’t control every thread or finish, and full supply chain transparency isn’t always possible when dealing with global mills and factories. But we can choose to keep asking questions, to demand accountability, and to push even when it’s uncomfortable.

Sustainability, reimagined, is about honesty. This is how we live it. 

 

1. Fabric First: Why We Use ECONYL® regenerated Nylon

Swimwear fabric is almost always synthetic. The difference lies in where that synthetic comes from.

We choose ECONYL® regenerated nylon, made from discarded fishing nets, ocean plastics, and textile waste. Through a regeneration process, that waste is transformed back into pure nylon yarn, indistinguishable from virgin fibre but with a fraction of the environmental cost.

Why ECONYL® regenerated nylon?

  • It gives new life to ocean waste.

  • It reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

  • It lasts, keeping its stretch and softness through seasons of sun and salt.

We use Vita by Carvico, an Italian-made fabric, buttery soft that blends 78% ECONYL® regenerated nylon with 22% elastane, necessary for comfort and flexibility in swimwear.

ECONYL® regenerated nylon is made with ghost fish nets recuperated from the bottom of our oceans, which otherwise would endanger many of our marine species. It is estimated that each year, 640,000 tons of fishing gear are lost in the seas and oceans, leading to the deaths of millions of marine animals.

Nylon waste, otherwise polluting the Earth, is transformed into ECONYL® regenerated nylon. It's exactly the same as brand-new nylon and can be recycled, recreated and remoulded again and again. More about this process here.

It’s not perfect, but it’s a start, and it’s better than creating more plastic from scratch.

2. Small Batch, Slow Production

We don’t chase seasons or churn out endless drops. Tama pieces are designed in Sydney, where we complete the sampling process locally in the South Coast of NSW. Our range is then produced in small runs with trusted partners in Bali and made to last beyond one summer.

This means:

  • Less overproduction, less waste.
  • More attention to detail in every cut and seam.
  • Swimwear that feels like an investment, not a throwaway.

3. Ethical Partnerships

We know who makes our swimwear. We work with small workshops in Bali where makers are paid fairly, work in safe conditions, and are treated with respect. We visit, we ask questions, we stay accountable.

Are we perfect? No. Can we trace every single raw material back to its source? Not yet. But by choosing smaller, ethical partners, we can build transparency from the ground up.

4. Beyond the Swimwear

Sustainability doesn’t stop at fabric. We also consider:

  • Packaging: Plastic-free, recyclable, minimal.

  • Prints: Limited editions, designed to last beyond trends.

  • Longevity: Encouraging care and repair to extend each garment’s life.

And yes, we’re still working on the harder parts. Threads, elastic, and hardware are often overlooked in fashion. Ours aren’t yet regenerative. But we’re searching, testing, and asking.

5. What We Don’t Do

Because sustainability is also about what you refuse.

We don’t:

  • Mass-produce.
  • Follow fleeting trends.
  • Use vague “eco” language without proof.
  • Greenwash.

Instead, we stay honest, even about our shortcomings.

6. Our Promise

Sustainability reimagined isn’t about reaching a gold standard. It’s about doing better, step by step, tide by tide.

We’ll keep questioning. We’ll keep choosing small over fast, conscious over careless. And we’ll keep sharing the journey with you, openly, imperfectly, and with intention.

Because for us, the ocean isn’t a backdrop. It’s the reason.