EARTHWISE: CYRILL GUTSCH

The pioneering product designer shares his favourite natural hotspots, the communities that inspire him, and his journey to launching Clean Waves eyewear.

Words: Chekii Harling

EARTHWISE:

CYRILL GUTSCH

The pioneering product designer shares his favourite natural hotspots, the communities that inspire him, and his journey to launching Clean Waves eyewear.

Words: Chekii Harling

For the second instalment of Earthwise - where we get to know the leading names in sustainability - we chatted to Cyrill Gutsch, CEO and Founder of Parley for the Oceans, to celebrate the launch of new his new initiative, Clean Waves - a creative fundraising platform transforming fishing nets and marine plastic debris into luxury design items. Here, we discuss his favourite reads, environmental heroes, and how we can all help to save the ocean.

When and why did protecting the planet become important to you?

I grew up in the Black Forest in Germany and being by the sea was a very rare occasion. I fell in love with the oceans when I was seven years old. The ocean made me realise there was a bigger power; it humbled me and gave me a lot of energy. 

Why did you launch Parley for the Oceans? 

In 2012 I learnt that this massive force that I loved was under threat, so I called my partner in New York and said, “We need to stop being just a design firm, we need to protect the sea.” That year, we launched Parley for the Oceans – an environmental organisation where it’s all about creativity, eco-innovation and collaboration. 

What’s Parley’s mission? 

To empower and inspire. You only need 7%of society to come together to change the world. That 7%consists of the creators, the scientists, the people who are redefining the reality we live in. 

What is Parley working on at the moment?  

We focus on three different crises: plastic, climate and fishing. Plastic is the poster girl or boy for all these big environmental issues and an invitation for citizens to join the movement because it’s relevant to everyone.

For you, what is the problem with plastics? 

Plastic is a design failure because it creates too much harm. We have to invent new materials, and while we are doing so we must stop making new plastic and circulate what we already have to satisfy our addiction for the material. 

What other brands or organisations do you admire?

At Parley, we work with over 1,000 amazing environmental organisations and have a big collaboration network. I really admire the small underfunded local groups – these are the people who we like to help and collaborate with the most.


At Parley, we are futurists more than environmentalists because we must imagine a future where mankind and the natural world can live in harmony.

Which communities have inspired you during your sustainability journey? 

The art world, the fashion world, the sports world, the material scientists, the space community and, of course, the ocean community.

Who’s your environmental hero? 

Dr Sylvia Earle – she’s a marine biologist and was the first woman to touch the seabed at an enormous depth. She is a phenomenal thinker, a wonderful person, and a very strong voice for the oceans. If God had a voice, it would be hers. Then there’s Paul Watson, of Sea Shepherd [Conservation Society], who is a Co-Founder of Greenpeace –he risks his own life to protect fish.

What is Clean Waves?

Clean Waves is our brand, but it’s also a creative fundraising platform and experiment for us to question the old idea of luxury. One hundred per cent of the proceeds fund the protection of the oceans and there’s even a GPS coordinate on each pair of sunglasses that tells customers the exact location of where the money is going – it’s completely transparent.

Which communities have inspired you during your sustainability journey? 

The art world, the fashion world, the sports world, the material scientists, the space community and, of course, the ocean community.

Who’s your environmental hero? 

Dr Sylvia Earle – she’s a marine biologist and was the first woman to touch the seabed at an enormous depth. She is a phenomenal thinker, a wonderful person, and a very strong voice for the oceans. If God had a voice, it would be hers. Then there’s Paul Watson, of Sea Shepherd [Conservation Society], who is a Co-Founder of Greenpeace –he risks his own life to protect fish.

What is Clean Waves?

Clean Waves is our brand, but it’s also a creative fundraising platform and experiment for us to question the old idea of luxury. One hundred per cent of the proceeds fund the protection of the oceans and there’s even a GPS coordinate on each pair of sunglasses that tells customers the exact location of where the money is going – it’s completely transparent.

What’s the process for turning ocean plastic into Clean Waves sunglasses? 

Clean Waves sunglasses are made from a combination of fishing nets and ropes. First, we intercept the plastic on the beaches and underwater, often dragging fishing nets or cleaning up full strips of sand. The plastic is then sorted into different types, washed and melted down to create sunglasses. 

Where is the plastic waste sourced? 

We have a strong focus on remote islands and coastal communities, as they are at the front line of the battle in the destruction of the oceans. At Clean Waves, we are currently working with the communities in the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, but technically we are operating in all seven oceans. 

How would you describe the aesthetic and feel of the Clean Waves eyewear collection?

It took us a long time to get a sleek, luxurious and premium feel when working with recycled nylon, but we didn’t want to [launch] with a compromise – if we’re going out with a product, it had to be amazing! We have since mastered the process of turning fishing nets into eyewear, and the product is at a standard of quality that really excites me.

Who has Clean Waves collaborated with? 

We’ve collaborated with the best designers, photographers, artists and scientists to bring this to life. We recently worked with the music artist M.I.A. – she keeps her integrity by not working with many brands and you can hardly recognise her without eyewear – she is the definition of sunglasses! Together, we developed a fantastic launch collection with interchangeable lenses, which means that one frame can turn into three designs. 

Who do you envisage wearing the Clean Waves eyewear collection? 

Artists, musicians, designers, rebels, activists and nerds – the people that want to change the world! 

Tell us about the afterlife of the glasses.

If you send them back to us, we’ll give you $50 back. Each piece has been designed in a way that makes them easily recyclable into new glasses.

Who has Clean Waves collaborated with? 

We’ve collaborated with the best designers, photographers, artists and scientists to bring this to life. We recently worked with the music artist M.I.A. – she keeps her integrity by not working with many brands and you can hardly recognise her without eyewear – she is the definition of sunglasses! Together, we developed a fantastic launch collection with interchangeable lenses, which means that one frame can turn into three designs. 

Who do you envisage wearing the Clean Waves eyewear collection? 

Artists, musicians, designers, rebels, activists and nerds – the people that want to change the world! 

Tell us about the afterlife of the glasses.

If you send them back to us, we’ll give you a discount for the future. Each piece has been designed in a way that makes them easily recyclable into new glasses.

Should we be banning new plastics from being manufactured? 

Yes! We should be banning virgin plastics, fossil-fuel burning and commercial fishing, and if we did, industries would adjust overnight. We saw that with COVID-19 – within a year, companies found new ways to make money. We need to apply the same mindset.

Is there a memory or a place where the plastic pollution problem really struck home for you?

The first time I arrived in the Indian Ocean, after starting Parley, I visited these totally remote uninhabited islands in the south of the Maldives. From a distance on the boat, the islands looked perfect, like a postcard. When I got a little closer, I suddenly realised there was a belt of plastic around these places and deep in the sand. There was everything from shoes to refrigerators!


I 100% believe that change isn’t driven by the big players but by individuals who have had enough or saw the future and had a vision.

What advice would you give to readers keen to reduce their plastic consumption? 

Avoid plastic where possible – cut it down and opt for alternatives and recycled materials. You don’t have to be 100% pure or perfect…just try your best, as everybody has a role to play. It’s about respecting resources, and that can be applied to any material. Say I bought a jacket: yes, there’s a hole in it, but I’m going to cover it in a cool patch or repair it.

What is the best book you’ve read recently?

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake – it’s a fantastic book! It makes you realise that we are part of a huge ecosystem that works in collaboration.

Best natural hotspots? 

I am deeply in love with the Maldives – it’s a beautiful country with an amazing underwater world. I also love South and South-east Asia, and there are also wonders in the Caribbean.

Where’s your favourite earth-conscious restaurant? 

There’s a very strong vegetarian and vegan movement in New York – Blossom is amazing!

What advice would you give to readers keen to reduce their plastic consumption? 

Avoid plastic where possible – cut it down and opt for alternatives and recycled materials. You don’t have to be 100% pure or perfect…just try your best, as everybody has a role to play. It’s about respecting resources, and that can be applied to any material. Say I bought a jacket: yes, there’s a hole in it, but I’m going to cover it in a cool patch or repair it.

What is the best book you’ve read recently?

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake – it’s a fantastic book! It makes you realise that we are part of a huge ecosystem that works in collaboration.

Best natural hotspots? 

I am deeply in love with the Maldives – it’s a beautiful country with an amazing underwater world. I also love South and South-east Asia, and there are also wonders in the Caribbean.

Where’s your favourite earth-conscious restaurant? 

There’s a very strong vegetarian and vegan movement in New York – Blossom is amazing!

If you woke up tomorrow as President of the United States, what would you change? 

I think the President right now is on the right track and is doing everything at the fastest possible speed. What I would do is make the environment an integral part of the education system and make sure that everybody who runs a business gets a fundamental understanding of how the natural world is interwoven, so they make the right decisions.

What advice would you give to someone who feels powerless in the face of climate change? 

Everyone has a voice, and there is always someone who is listening. Take your voice very seriously; there is no reason to doubt that you have influence – everybody has a superpower! I 100% believe that change isn’t driven by the big players but by individuals who have had enough or saw the future and had a vision.

What is your proudest achievement? 

My proudest achievement is that I’m no longer angry at people stealing our ideas – now I think that’s great! It’s about letting go of the urge to own everything.

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