Chloe Zhang
The plastic pollution crisis is a pressing global issue that requires urgent action. With trillions of pieces of plastic polluting our oceans, companies are increasingly taking steps to reduce plastic pollution and recycle ocean waste. From clothing to cleaning products, companies are finding innovative ways to create products from recycled ocean plastic. This article will explore the various initiatives and products that are being developed to address this critical environmental issue.
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What You'll Learn
- Companies like Oceanworks provide recycled plastic solutions and help brands reduce their plastic footprint
- The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization developing technologies to rid the oceans of plastic
- Companies like OceanCycle are working to stop plastic waste from entering the ocean by 2030
- Brands like Adidas, Norton Point, and United By Blue are using recycled ocean plastics to make products like sneakers, sunglasses, and clothing
- Businesses like Method, G-Star RAW, and Saltwater Brewery are creating products with recycled plastic or eco-friendly packaging
Companies like Oceanworks provide recycled plastic solutions and help brands reduce their plastic footprint
Oceanworks is a global marketplace for recycled ocean plastic materials and products. It is a platform that provides a range of recycled ocean plastic resins, yarn, materials, and products. Oceanworks exists to make it easy for brands to reduce their plastic footprint through the integration of recycled content and funding for plastic waste removal. Oceanworks works with collectors, processors, and manufacturers to guarantee the origin of ocean plastic in the marketplace. They then test and document what materials are being harvested and how they were collected, monitoring the chain of custody through production while also providing impact metrics and stories for each end product.
Oceanworks offers its brand partners the ability to use authentic ocean plastic as easily as virgin plastic. Oceanworks' technology provides chain-of-custody assurance and supply chain visibility, with transparency into order-level detail from shore to shelf. The OWG mark, which accompanies all Material by Oceanworks and IMPAC+ partnerships, is a symbol of authenticity, supply chain transparency, and social and environmental compliance.
The IMPAC+ program directly delivers and guarantees the removal of plastic waste from the environment, otherwise known as plastic offsets or credits. Oceanworks Resin, Feedstock, and IMPAC+ Offsets make it easy to commit to circular plastic solutions. The Oceanworks Plastic Action Platform helps organizations understand their plastic footprint and identify the next steps to reduce it.
RSP is an official Oceanworks Guaranteed® partner offering products made with certified recycled ocean plastics. RSP utilizes recycled ocean plastic to manufacture several consumer products, including a reusable reclaimed ocean plastic packaging solution and a beach-focused entertainment device. Other companies working to recycle ocean plastic include OceanCycle, which has partnered with companies like Herman Miller and Sainsbury's, and The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic.
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The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization developing technologies to rid the oceans of plastic
The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization that develops and scales technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. It was founded by Boyan Slat, who, at 16 years old, saw more plastic bags than fish while scuba diving in Greece. This experience led him to research the plastic pollution problem for a school project, where he learned about the accumulation of plastic in five large oceanic gyres, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. In 2012, Slat gave a TEDx talk on how to use technology to rid the world's oceans of plastic, and the video went viral, allowing him to found The Ocean Cleanup.
The organization has been working for over ten years to research, extract, and monitor plastic pollution in oceans and rivers globally. They employ a dual strategy: intercepting plastic in rivers to prevent it from reaching the ocean and cleaning up the plastic that has already accumulated in the ocean. The Ocean Cleanup has developed a range of Interceptor systems to tackle the 1000 rivers, or 1% of the world's rivers, that account for 80% of the plastic flowing into the oceans. These Interceptors have been deployed in rivers worldwide, from Vietnam and Indonesia to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Malaysia.
Additionally, The Ocean Cleanup has been working to remove plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a plastic accumulation zone with over 100,000,000 kilograms of plastic. As of June 2022, their System 002 had covered over 2,700 km2 and removed over 84,000 kilograms of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. They are now preparing to deploy their newest and most efficient system, System 03.
The Ocean Cleanup aims to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040 and put itself out of business once the oceans are clean. They rely on third-party support and have partnered with various organizations and states, including The Coca-Cola Company, Maersk, Kia, Coldplay, and the Government of the Netherlands, to achieve their goals.
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Companies like OceanCycle are working to stop plastic waste from entering the ocean by 2030
OceanCycle is a company dedicated to stopping plastic waste from entering the ocean by 2030. It is the world's first and leading certifier of recycled ocean-bound plastics. OceanCycle helps companies understand how to engage with the ocean plastic problem and connects them with the right entities to meet their technical and material needs. OceanCycle has partnered with a global network of brands, retailers, and manufacturers to maximize the use of certified ocean-bound materials in new products.
To date, companies using material certified by OceanCycle have recycled more than 23,150 metric tons, equivalent to 926 million plastic bottles. This is the largest collective global ocean plastic pollution prevention effort to date. OceanCycle has also helped set up collection points, systems, and methods for sorting that have increased the yield of recycled plastics.
OceanCycle's work is particularly important given that plastic pollution in oceans and other bodies of water is growing sharply and could more than double by 2030, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Plastic accounts for 85% of all marine litter, and plastic pollution has dire consequences for health, the economy, biodiversity, and the climate.
Other companies are also working to combat plastic pollution. Oceanworks, for example, helps brands reduce their plastic footprint through the integration of recycled content and funding for plastic waste removal. The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. Wasser 3.0, a German company, uses a special non-toxic compound to pull microplastics into popcorn-like clumps that can be collected.
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Brands like Adidas, Norton Point, and United By Blue are using recycled ocean plastics to make products like sneakers, sunglasses, and clothing
Many companies are now taking steps to reduce their environmental impact and are turning to recycled materials to produce their products. Adidas, Norton Point, and United By Blue are three brands that are using recycled ocean plastics to make a variety of consumer goods.
Adidas has been working to support global initiatives that drive change for the fashion industry. In 2015, the company partnered with Parley for the Oceans, and at the United Nations HQ, they revealed an innovative footwear concept: a shoe with an upper made from a yarn that contains at least 50% Parley Ocean Plastic. The plastic used is intercepted from remote islands, beaches, coastal communities, and shorelines. In 2017, Adidas produced shoes made with Parley Ocean Plastic and organised the 'adidas x Parley Run for the Oceans', a global movement to raise awareness for the state of the oceans. In 2018, the company further affirmed its commitment to sustainability by signing the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.
Norton Point is another company that uses recycled ocean plastics to make its products. The company's website does not specify what these products are, but it mentions a 1974 FJ40 Land Cruiser that was in need of revival, which may suggest that Norton Point uses recycled ocean plastics to restore vintage vehicles.
United By Blue is a brand that also uses recycled ocean plastics to create sustainable goods. The company has a "1 Product = 1 Pound Removed" policy, meaning that for every product purchased, they remove one pound of trash from the ocean. United By Blue offers a range of eco-conscious, reusable products, including duffle bags, backpacks, tote bags, and insulated steel bottles. The company also prioritises ethical manufacturing and has a zero-plastic policy.
These three brands are great examples of companies that are taking initiative and using recycled ocean plastics to create a variety of products, from footwear to clothing and accessories.
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Businesses like Method, G-Star RAW, and Saltwater Brewery are creating products with recycled plastic or eco-friendly packaging
Many companies are now taking steps to reduce their environmental impact by using recycled plastic in their products or opting for eco-friendly packaging. Some notable examples include Method, G-Star RAW, and Saltwater Brewery.
G-Star RAW, a Dutch design company, has been at the forefront of promoting environmentally friendly manufacturing processes in the fashion industry. In collaboration with Pharrell Williams, G-Star launched "RAW for the Oceans," becoming the first company to create denim from recycled ocean plastic. The company also pledged to replace the polyester in its products with recycled plastics and other materials, aiming to substitute 100% of polyester with recycled plastic by 2020. G-Star's partnership with the Plastic Soup Foundation highlights its commitment to addressing microfiber pollution in the ocean.
Saltwater Brewery, a Florida-based company, has innovated by using by-products from the beer-making process to create eco-friendly packaging. They have replaced traditional plastic six-pack rings with bio-based, edible packaging made from wheat and barley. This initiative addresses the issue of plastic pollution in the oceans, as these rings are biodegradable and compostable, ensuring the safety of marine wildlife.
Method, a company known for its sustainable practices, has also embraced recycled plastic in their products. They offer a range of eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products, incorporating recycled plastic into their packaging. Method's focus on sustainability and recycled materials contributes to their overall environmental responsibility.
These companies are leading the way in their respective industries, demonstrating that it is possible to create innovative and sustainable products while reducing plastic waste. Their efforts inspire and challenge others to adopt similar practices, contributing to a greener and more responsible future.
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Frequently asked questions
Many companies are now using recycled ocean plastics to create new products, including Adidas, Parley for the Oceans, United By Blue, Rothy's, Girlfriend Collective, Method, and Norton Point.
These companies are making a wide range of products, including clothing, shoes, sunglasses, and soap bottles. For example, Norton Point makes sunglasses out of recycled ocean plastic, while Adidas and Parley for the Oceans collaborated to create sneakers made from recycled ocean plastics.
Yes, some companies are focused on reducing plastic waste and offering more sustainable alternatives. For instance, Saltwater Brewery makes edible six-pack rings out of barley to reduce plastic in the ocean and protect marine life. Additionally, organisations like Oceanworks and OceanCycle work with brands to help them reduce their plastic footprint and fund plastic waste removal.
