Sustainable Swimwear: A Conversation with Carve Designs CEO Thayer Sylvester
Release Date: 06/21/2024
Episode 2000: TV Offers, Job Offers, and a Major Announcement
How To Protect The Ocean
Today marks episode 2000 of How to Protect the Ocean, and Andrew is taking a break from the usual format to look back at how this show came to be. From an accidental start in 2010 to a name change driven by search engine optimization, to over 3 million downloads across 11 years, this episode traces the full arc of the podcast's history. Andrew also opens up about how podcasting reshaped his career. What started as a side project outside of work hours led to TV documentary appearances, podcast hosting offers including a multi-year run on the Toronto Zoo podcast, and eventually the job offer...
info_outline
The Power of Podcasting for Ocean Science Communication
How To Protect The Ocean
Podcasting has been part of Andrew Lewin's life for 11 years, and in this episode he explains why he thinks more people working in ocean science and conservation should be doing it too. He walks through what makes long-form audio and video different from the short clips discussed in yesterday's episode: the ability to sit with complex topics, tell a full story, and reach an audience that's multitasking, whether they're walking the dog, working out, or gardening while listening. Andrew gets specific about what podcasting actually requires. He covers how titles and the first several seconds of...
info_outline
Short-Form Content for Ocean Awareness: What Actually Works
How To Protect The Ocean
This week on the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, Andrew kicks off a science communication series exploring how ocean advocates can spread awareness across every major content format. Today's episode digs into short-form video: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, and what it actually takes to make original content work when you're used to talking for an hour, not ninety seconds. Andrew is candid about his own struggle with the format, since most of his short-form output today is repurposed podcast clips rather than content built for the platform from the ground up. The conversation...
info_outline
The Electric Boat Revolution Is Here
How To Protect The Ocean
Electric boating is having its Tesla moment, and few people understand that shift better than Alexandre Mongeon, CEO and co-founder of Vision Marine Technologies. Andrew sits down with Alexandre to trace his path from importing speed boats in Montreal to building the electric outboard systems now powering boats across North America. Along the way, Alexandre shares how a chance meeting with Olympic sailor and boat designer Ian Bruce set him on the road to electric propulsion, and how a rental-to-sale showroom model in Newport Beach, California, turned a small hobby business into a NASDAQ-listed...
info_outline
3 For-Profit Companies Cleaning the Ocean and Paying Living Wages
How To Protect The Ocean
Not every ocean conservation win comes from a nonprofit or a government program. In this episode, Andrew breaks down three for-profit companies that are cleaning up the ocean, funding wildlife research, and paying living wages to the people doing the work. These businesses show that conservation and profit are not opposing goals. They can be the same goal. Andrew covers 4Ocean, whose full-time captains and cleanup crews earn living wages with health insurance and bonuses across Florida, Bali, Haiti, and Guatemala. He covers Ocean Sole, the Kenyan social enterprise that pays local collectors...
info_outline
How 4ocean Turned Bracelets Into 50 Million Pounds of Ocean Trash Removed
How To Protect The Ocean
4ocean has removed more than 50 million pounds of plastic and trash from the world's oceans, rivers, and coastlines. That milestone did not come from a government program or a traditional nonprofit. It came from a for-profit business built around a single idea: every bracelet sold funds the removal of a pound of ocean trash. In this episode, Andrew breaks down how 4ocean went from one viral video in Bali to a global cleanup operation, why founders Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper chose a business model over a nonprofit, and how the company built local jobs, recycling infrastructure, and B Corp...
info_outline
The Boat Sharing Economy Is Exploding, Here's Why You Shouldn't Buy a Boat
How To Protect The Ocean
The boat rental market is bigger than most people realize, and it's growing fast. In this episode, Andrew shares a personal story about his dad, boats, and why he's spent the last few months considering buying one, before walking through the data that changed his mind about ownership altogether. Andrew breaks down the numbers behind the boat sharing economy: a market valued between nineteen and twenty three billion dollars US, growing five to seven percent a year, with electric propulsion emerging as the fastest growing segment in boat rentals. Peer to peer platforms like Getmyboat,...
info_outline
Why Cargo Ships Are Bringing Back Sails to Cut Emissions
How To Protect The Ocean
Global shipping moves roughly 80 to 90% of the world's trade, and it comes with a real climate cost: the industry is responsible for a little over 2% of global CO2 emissions. On today's episode of the How to Protect the Ocean Podcast, Andrew looks at one of the more surprising fixes the industry is turning to: sails. Not the old canvas kind, but massive rigid wing sails retrofitted onto modern cargo vessels to cut fuel use and emissions without waiting on next-generation fuels. The centerpiece example is the Pyxis Ocean, a bulk carrier fitted with two 37.5-meter WindWings that fold down like...
info_outline
Can Hollywood Go Green? Inside the Sustainable Production Movement
How To Protect The Ocean
Hollywood might not be the first industry you think of when it comes to protecting the planet, but film and TV production has been quietly transforming how it operates behind the scenes. In this episode, Andrew sits down with Zena Harris, founder and president of Green Spark Group and co-host of The Tie-In podcast, to unpack what sustainability actually looks like on a working film set. Zena walks through the surprising ways major productions are cutting fuel consumption, swapping diesel generators for solar power and battery stations, and building a circular economy for set materials instead...
info_outline
Greenwashing Exposed: Why 400+ Companies Got Caught Lying About Sustainability in 2026
How To Protect The Ocean
Businesses love to say they are sustainable. Andrew breaks down why that word is no longer enough on its own. A new EU consumer protection regulation now requires companies to prove environmental claims with evidence, and it has helped drive more than 400 greenwashing-related enforcement actions across the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and India in 2026 alone. Andrew draws on his own university experience with food labeling regulation to explain how vague standards let companies technically comply while misleading the public, then walks through real cases including SEC fines against Goldman...
info_outlineAndrew Lewin speaks with Thayer Sylvester, CEO of Carve Designs, about building a sustainable swimwear brand. Thayer discusses creating clothing that is not only fashionable but also environmentally friendly. She shares her journey of prioritizing sustainability in the fashion industry and the importance of making a positive impact on the environment.
Tune in to learn how Carve Designs is leading the way in sustainable fashion for a better ocean.
Links to Carve Designs:
https://www.carvedesigns.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thayer-sylvester-436296
https://www.instagram.com/carvedesigns/
https://twitter.com/CarveDesigns
https://www.facebook.com/CarveDesignsBeach
https://www.youtube.com/@carve.designs
Sign Up for Updates on the process: www.speakupforblue.com/oceanapp
Connect with Speak Up For Blue:
Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc
YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube
Carve Designs, a surf-inspired women's sustainable swimwear and clothing company, was founded by Thayer Sylvester with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Thayer's personal values of health and environmental responsibility have been the driving force behind Carve Designs' commitment to creating sustainable products. From the outset, Thayer and her team set out to build a brand that reflected their values, including choosing to eat organic food and prioritize health. This ethos naturally extended to the company's approach to clothing production.
The company's journey towards sustainability began with small steps, such as opting for organic cotton t-shirts. Over time, Carve Designs expanded its sustainability efforts, aiming to make at least 90% of their collection entirely sustainable. This dedication to sustainability led to the development of swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles, a significant step towards reducing environmental impact. Additionally, Carve Designs has been exploring innovative ways to recycle swimwear, such as transforming used garments into turf pellets for fields, further demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility.
Thayer's vision for Carve Designs goes beyond just creating sustainable products; it encompasses a holistic approach to sustainability. The company has been proactive in addressing packaging concerns, experimenting with compostable and recycled packaging to minimize waste. By constantly seeking ways to improve and innovate, Carve Designs exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to sustainable fashion.
Overall, Carve Designs' focus on sustainability aligns seamlessly with Thayer's personal values of health and environmental responsibility. The company's dedication to creating eco-friendly swimwear and clothing not only reflects their commitment to the environment but also resonates with a growing consumer demand for sustainable fashion options. Through their innovative practices and continuous efforts to reduce their environmental footprint, Carve Designs sets a positive example for the fashion industry and inspires others to prioritize sustainability in their business practices.
In the podcast episode, Carve Designs is highlighted for its innovative project to recycle swimwear made from plastic bottles into turf pellets. This initiative aims to reduce waste and promote circular fashion within the industry. By transforming used swimwear into turf pellets, Carve Designs is taking a proactive step towards sustainability and environmental conservation. This process not only helps repurpose materials that would otherwise end up in landfills but also contributes to the creation of a more sustainable fashion cycle. The company's commitment to finding creative solutions for recycling swimwear showcases their dedication to minimizing their environmental impact and embracing a circular economy model. This forward-thinking approach aligns with the growing trend in the fashion industry towards more sustainable practices and highlights Carve Designs' leadership in promoting eco-friendly initiatives.
Thayer Sylvester, the CEO of Carve Designs, not only focuses on creating sustainable swimwear and clothing but also emphasizes the importance of protecting the ocean by reducing litter on beaches and avoiding harmful chemicals in sunscreens. During the podcast episode, Thayer mentioned that she regularly picks up litter on the beach while walking her dog, highlighting the need for local communities to participate in beach cleanups. This hands-on approach to reducing litter directly contributes to keeping the ocean clean and safe for marine life.
Additionally, Thayer discussed the detrimental effects of certain chemicals found in sunscreens on coral reefs. She highlighted the importance of using reef-safe, mineral-based sunscreens to protect both human health and the marine environment. Thayer's advocacy for using environmentally friendly sunscreens aligns with the growing awareness of the harmful impacts of chemical sunscreens on coral reefs, as seen in places like Hawaii where certain chemicals have been banned to protect the reefs.
By promoting beach cleanups and advocating for the use of reef-safe sunscreens, Thayer Sylvester demonstrates a holistic approach to ocean protection through both direct action and consumer choices. Her commitment to sustainability extends beyond just the products her company creates, showing a genuine dedication to preserving the health and beauty of the ocean ecosystem.