This blog post was written by Olivia Miller, a 2024 EarthEcho Marine Plastics Ambassador.

Growing up in Alpena, MI, the Great Lakes have been a huge part of my life and community. I decided to take action in protecting them by blending my passions for marketing, education, and protecting the Great Lakes by starting my small business Continual Clothing. Continual Clothing is an eco-friendly clothing brand with designs that highlight the species in the Alpena area, and Great Lakes region, that are affected by marine plastics. Continual Clothing also engages in education and awareness efforts, hosting events that educate the public on plastic pollution, and aim to reduce textile waste.

The blueprint for Continual Clothing really started in Seattle, WA at EarthEcho’s Youth Ambassador Retreat where I was able to collaborate with other passionate youth and see a vision for this project. From there I started drafting designs and workshopping what I wanted this business to be. While working on this project I created a strong relationship with the nonprofit Great Lakes Great Responsibility, becoming a youth representative on their board of directors and gaining mentors along the way.

So far, I have been able to host a clothing swap at the Alpena County Library, presented to the Alpena Community College Board of Trustees, been a guest on podcast “LUCK it with Lexi”, and have finalized t-shirt designs and begun ordering samples that will soon be available for sale.

‍Impact and Metrics

• Instagram -98 followers, 2.2k views, 207 likes, 32 comments, and 65 shares
• Facebook - 23 followers, 11 comments, 425 views
• Podcast Viewers - 63 (Youtube) 4.2k (Instagram)
• Clothing Swap Participants - 11

I feel that throughout this project and during my time as a Marine Plastics Ambassador I have grown so much not only as an advocate for the Great Lakes but as a person as well. I have learned so much about marine plastics from incredible professionals and gained even more tools that will make my future endeavors in this work successful. I definitely have had challenges while developing the designs and struggling with perfectionism and motivation, but I pushed through and with the support of our program and my community I am so happy with what I have been able to create with Continual Clothing and can’t wait to see what’s in store moving forward.

Continual Clothing isn’t going anywhere anytime soon! I have many events scheduled already for spring and more in the works, some including a presentation to the Association of Lifelong Learners at Alpena Community College ending in a t- shirt to tote bag DIY craft, a visual mending workshop at the Alpena Community College Library, and tabling at a major clothing swap event in Grand Rapids, MI. I am also hoping for an official t- shirt launch by the end of March-early April and am working on setting up a special place for me to make promotional videos and pack t-shirt orders! For updates on Continual Clothing and educational content on marine plastics, you can follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/continual.clothing/, FaceBook at Continual Clothing page, and check out the official Continual Clothing website https://continualclothing.wixsite.com/continual-clothing. Etsy shop coming soon!