A DEEP DIVE: The Sea Sponge - The Basics

Many of my friends had no idea what a natural sea sponge was when I showed one to them so here’s a little intro on what they are and how using them are good for you and kinder to the planet.

What are they?

Sea sponges are some of the world’s simplest multi-cellular organisms. They primarily live and grow in seas and oceans. They’re filter-feeders and survive by filtering microscopic plants from seawater. They can pass more than 20,000 times their volume through their system in a single day. Water flushes through the sponge’s intricate system of canals and pores, so they’re effectively self-cleaning.

What you use to wash your face and body is actually the inner structure of the sponge, which is made from a natural material - a modified type of collagen protein - called spongin. [1] This is what makes your sea sponge super absorbent, supple and soft to the touch.

Are they sustainable?

Yes, they are. They’re sustainable and renewable. Sea sponge divers are trained to harvest the sponge but leave the base intact. So, like plants, they can grow back bigger and better after being harvested.

What’s even more remarkable is that pieces broken off during harvesting can regenerate. If they reattach to a hard, rocky surface, they “bud” and can grow into completely new sponges, increasing the population density.

Our sponges are sourced from Kalymnos, an idyllic island and rock climber’s paradise in Greece. We work with a small family-owned business on the island to obtain the best quality sponges possible.

Fishing boats in Kalymnos, Greece

Why switch from a manufactured synthetic sponge?

Firstly, those colourful artificial sponges look fun, but they’re generally made from polyurethane foam. Not great from an environmental perspective. Polyurethane is a plastic material, so it’s made from oil – a fossil fuel that, as we all know, is not a sustainable source. It also means that those artificial sponges aren’t biodegradable either so won’t break down in landfill. Plus, if incinerated, polyurethane can emit formaldehyde and other irritants.

Some artificial sponges are also treated with antimicrobial ingredients that fend off germs which sounds great, but it depends on what that ingredient is. Many manufacturers use triclosan, an antimicrobial agent and preservative, which the EWG (Environmental Working Group) say could be a danger to your health. [2] The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the US has banned triclosan in antibacterial hand soaps since September 2017, but it can still be found in many other personal and household care products [3].

 

Why use a natural sea sponge instead?

Biodegradable + Compostable: Sea sponges are 100% natural. So, when you throw them away, they'll naturally break down leaving nothing harmful behind saving landfill space. You can even cut them up into small pieces, toss them on your compost heap or bury them in your garden and let Mother Nature take care of things.

Naturally Mould + Mildew-Resistant: They contain enzymes that not only fight the growth of the fungus that causes mildew, but also mould and bacteria [4]. Air dry your sponge using the hanging hook and it won’t develop unsightly black spots or mould. No need for toxic chemicals or triclosan!

Softer on your Skin: Sponges naturally contain an array of minerals including calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron and zinc to nourish and benefit your skin. And remember they’re made from spongin, which is a form of collagen. So, when wet, the sponge will literally glide over your skin and gently exfoliate those dead skin cells.

Durable: If you look after your sponge, it will look after you for a long time! If you clean them regularly to keep them fresh, they could last for years! Check out our Care Instructions for tips.

 

References

[1]	"Spongin - Wikipedia": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spongin.
[2]	E. P. Walker, "Medpage Today": https://www.medpagetoday.org/publichealthpolicy/environmentalhealth/10269?vpass=1.
[3]	"Environmental Working Group"https://www.ewg.org/research/ewgs-guide-triclosan-old.
[4]	C. C. Ray, "The New York Times, Sea Sponges: Nature’s Disinfectants": https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/22/science/sea-sponges-bacteria.html.