Sourcing Recycled Ocean Plastic: A Guide To Environmentally-Friendly Materials

The plastic pollution crisis is a pressing global issue, with an estimated one to two million tons of plastic entering our oceans each year. This plastic waste, which comes from a variety of land and ocean-based sources, poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems. While cleanup technologies play a crucial role in addressing this crisis, the key to effectively reducing ocean plastic lies in systemic change. This includes promoting recycling, reducing single-use plastics, and fostering sustainable practices. To facilitate these changes, organizations like Oceanworks offer recycled plastic solutions and marketplaces, empowering brands to reduce their plastic footprint and fund plastic waste removal. Additionally, individuals can make a difference by reducing their plastic consumption, reusing and recycling plastic items, and supporting companies that prioritize eco-friendly alternatives.

How to collect recycled ocean plastic

The collection of recycled ocean plastic is a complex and challenging process that requires a combination of innovative technologies, systemic changes, and individual efforts. Here are some key steps and strategies to effectively collect and recycle ocean plastic:

Technological Innovations and Large-Scale Efforts:

• Ocean Cleanup Technologies: Organisations like The Ocean Cleanup are at the forefront of developing and scaling technologies to remove plastic from the oceans. Their system involves deploying a large floating net-like barrier that forms a U-shape and is towed by two ships. This design directs plastic to a central retention zone, which is then emptied onto the ship decks for recycling.
• River Interception: In addition to ocean cleanups, intercepting plastic in rivers is crucial to prevent plastic from reaching the oceans. The Ocean Cleanup also focuses on this strategy by implementing river interception technologies.
• Collaboration and Research: The Ocean Cleanup and similar organisations collaborate with partners and researchers worldwide to exchange knowledge, improve technologies, and increase the efficiency of plastic collection and recycling processes.
• Government and Policy Changes: Governments play a vital role in reducing plastic pollution by implementing legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management practices, and holds plastic producers accountable for the waste generated from their products.

Individual Actions and Community Initiatives:

• Refuse Single-Use Plastics: Individuals can make a significant impact by refusing single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic bags, takeout containers, and utensils. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives like grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, coffee cups, and utensils.
• Recycling and Reusing: Actively recycle and reuse plastic products whenever possible. This helps reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.
• Support Sustainable Businesses: Choose to support and purchase from companies that prioritise sustainability and utilise recycled ocean plastic in their products. For example, companies like Adidas, Parley for the Oceans, and Norton Point create products like shoes and sunglasses from recycled ocean plastic.
• Community Collection Efforts: In countries highly vulnerable to ocean plastic pollution, community collection efforts are crucial. Providing these communities with the necessary tools and support can help ensure effective plastic collection and recycling.

By combining large-scale technological and systemic approaches with individual actions and community initiatives, we can collectively make a significant impact in collecting and recycling ocean plastic, ultimately reducing the devastating effects of plastic pollution on marine life, ecosystems, and the economy.

Companies using recycled ocean plastic

Several companies are now using recycled ocean plastic in their products, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness. Here are some notable examples:

Adidas

Adidas, the well-known sportswear company, has partnered with Parley for the Oceans to create sneakers and shoes made with yarn produced from recycled ocean plastics. In 2019, they made about 11 million pairs of shoes using recycled plastics, and their Parley x Adidas line features products made from reclaimed plastics.

Patagonia

Patagonia has been recycling polyester since the 1990s and is known for its jackets made from recycled plastic soda bottles. They have expanded their eco-friendly mission by partnering with Bureo to use discarded fishing nets for hat brims and jackets.

Bureo

Bureo is a B corporation with a mission to clean up the oceans. They take discarded fishing nets from the coast of Chile and repurpose them into sunglasses, skateboards, and clothing.

4Ocean

4Ocean is a company that makes bracelets and plastic-free reusable water bottles from ocean trash. They have pulled over 4 million pounds of trash from the oceans and are known for their commitment to reducing plastic pollution.

United By Blue

United By Blue creates ethically sourced clothing and apparel and has removed over 1.5 million pounds of trash from oceans and coastlines through organized cleanup efforts. They also help other brands create sustainable, recycled products and lead beach cleanups that are open to the public.

Method

Method is a popular soap and cleaning brand that uses 100% recycled plastic bottles for their products. Their bottles are made from recycled materials and are fully recyclable.

Green Toys

Green Toys creates imaginative children's toys using recycled milk jugs. They have recycled over 113 million milk jugs to date, contributing to energy conservation.

Outerknown

Outerknown is a company that creates a line of simplistic and responsibly made women's and men's styles, including swimwear and jackets made with Econyl regenerated nylon using recovered fishing nets and other ocean plastics.

Rothy's

Rothy's makes women's work flats and handbags from recycled plastic water bottles and ocean-bound plastic. Their products are both stylish and sustainable.

These companies are leading the way in using recycled ocean plastic, and their efforts contribute to reducing plastic waste, conserving energy, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Reducing plastic consumption

The world is facing a plastic pollution crisis, with millions of tons of plastic contaminating the oceans. This is a pressing issue that requires systemic change, including the banning of single-use plastics and the promotion of recycling and sustainable practices. While cleanup technologies play a role in addressing ocean plastic pollution, they are not a comprehensive solution.

Refuse Single-Use Plastics: Make it a habit to refuse single-use plastics whenever possible. This includes items such as plastic straws, bags, utensils, condiment packets, beverage bottles, sandwich bags, coffee cups, and take-out containers. Request "no straw" at restaurants and bring your own reusable bags, water bottles, and containers.

Reduce Plastic Packaging: Opt for products with minimal or no packaging. Buy bulk foods, liquids, and cleaners using your own refillable containers. Avoid produce bags and use reusable cloth bags or no bag at all. Choose items packaged in materials like glass, aluminum, or paper that can be recycled or composted.

Reuse and Repurpose: Extend the lifespan of plastic items by reusing and repurposing them. Wash and reuse plastic containers, bags, and utensils instead of discarding them after a single use. Donate or sell unwanted plastic items that are still in good condition rather than throwing them away.

Recycle Plastics Properly: When you can't avoid plastic packaging, choose items that can be recycled. Learn about the recycling guidelines in your area and separate your plastics accordingly. Look for local programs or facilities that accept specific types of plastics, such as plastic bags, wrap, and film.

Support Sustainable Brands: Purchase products made from recycled plastic materials whenever possible. Support brands that are committed to reducing their plastic footprint and incorporating recycled content. Opt for companies that use sustainable packaging and promote eco-friendly practices.

Buy Local and Second-Hand: Reduce shipping packaging by buying local products or second-hand items. This helps minimize the amount of plastic used in transportation and delivery.

Proper disposal of plastics

The proper disposal of plastics is a critical aspect of mitigating ocean plastic pollution, which currently stands at 75 to 199 million tons of plastic in our oceans. Here are some detailed steps and measures to ensure the proper disposal of plastics:

Firstly, it is essential to reduce plastic consumption and promote recycling. This involves encouraging individuals to use fewer single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, and bottles. Instead, people can be encouraged to use reusable alternatives, like cloth bags, metal or glass food containers, and reusable water bottles. Additionally, supporting and urging local governments to introduce legislation that discourages plastic bag use and promotes recycling is vital.

Secondly, proper disposal methods are crucial for plastics that cannot be recycled. This includes ensuring that waste is not dumped into waterways or left on land, where it can be swept into the ocean by rain or wind. Individuals can play a role by properly managing their waste and supporting organizations that work towards cleaning up plastic waste from oceans and beaches, such as The Plastic Bank.

Thirdly, supporting companies that use recycled ocean plastic in their products is essential. Some examples include clothing lines incorporating ocean plastic and companies using biodegradable materials or edible alternatives for packaging. By supporting these initiatives, we can create a demand for recycled ocean plastic, encouraging more companies to adopt similar practices.

Lastly, fostering sustainable practices and individual habits is vital. This includes buying products with minimal packaging, avoiding cosmetics with plastic microbeads, and supporting legislation that reduces the production and use of plastic. While cleanup technologies play a role in removing ocean plastic, the key to proper disposal lies in systemic change, improved recycling infrastructure, and reducing the export of waste.

By following these measures, we can ensure the proper disposal of plastics, reducing the amount of plastic pollution in our oceans and protecting marine life and ecosystems.

Recycling infrastructure

At the core of this infrastructure are organizations like Oceanworks, which offers a Plastic Action Platform. This platform helps brands measure their plastic footprint, fund plastic waste removal, find sustainable alternatives, and ensure transparency in their supply chains. By partnering with a diverse range of industries, Oceanworks facilitates the integration of recycled content, making it easier for companies to reduce their plastic footprint. This type of infrastructure support is crucial for brands committed to taking action against plastic pollution.

Another key aspect of recycling infrastructure is the development of cleanup technologies. Initiatives like Ocean Cleanup have designed a system that utilizes a large floating net-like barrier to collect plastic waste from the ocean. While this approach has received attention, some marine biologists argue that it may cause more harm than good due to the fossil fuel-powered ships used in the process. Nonetheless, innovative technologies can play a vital role in addressing plastic pollution, especially when complemented by systemic changes.

Systemic changes refer to fundamental shifts in how we produce, consume, and manage plastic. This includes banning single-use plastics, promoting recycled or compostable materials, designing products with recycling in mind, and fostering sustainable practices. For example, companies like Saltwater Brewery have switched to edible six-pack rings made from barley, while energy bar company Clif Bar now uses 100% recycled paperboard for packaging. These systemic changes not only reduce plastic consumption but also encourage recycling and proper disposal, minimizing the amount of plastic that ends up in our oceans.

Additionally, recycling infrastructure should include support for local cleanup efforts and individual initiatives. This can involve participating in community cleanups, reducing plastic use, reusing and recycling plastic items, and advocating for better waste management practices. By empowering individuals and communities to take action, we can collectively make a significant impact in addressing the plastic pollution crisis.

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