Plastic is a ubiquitous part of our world and an indispensable input for
hundreds of millions of products. But single-use plastics are the biggest
culprit when it comes to pollution and mismanagement; and the ongoing
pandemic
is only increasing volume — from PPE to takeaway containers. Despite the endless
and growing volume, less than 10 percent of the estimated 250 million tons of
plastic
waste
generated each year is actually recycled. Instead, this plastic waste fills
landfills and litters streets, parks, and waterways with much of it eventually
finding its way to the ocean.
Globally, the drive to reduce reliance on single-use plastic, responsibly manage
plastic waste, and cut plastic’s carbon footprint is accelerating — thanks in no
small part to collaborative industry initiatives such as the Plastics
Pact
and tougher regulations coming out of the European Union.
Oceanworks’
marketplace has made a meaningful dent, by connecting ocean plastic collectors
and recyclers with the manufacturers and brands seeking a more sustainable
supply. But, by drawing an imaginary line at 50 kilometers from the coast, ocean
plastic — specifically ocean-bound
plastic
— leaves massive amounts of waste plastic out of the equation.
“Averted Plastic” encompasses any mismanaged plastic waste. Oceanworks is now
expanding its marketplace to include this material — incentivizing local
entrepreneurs worldwide to divert all plastic waste into economical recycling
programs. Averted plastics marked Oceanworks Guaranteed will meet the same
stringent quality and compliance guidelines that brands and manufacturers demand
and have come to expect from the marketplace.
Cleaning up beauty's ugly impacts
Join us at SB'24 San Diego as Victor Casale — co-founder of Pact Collective and co-founder and CEO of MOB Beauty — shares insights from ongoing collaborations with materials innovators to create fully compostable, refillable, plastic-free, and easier-to-recycle packaging alternatives for beauty and wellness products.
Adding averted plastic to the mix will help achieve the economies of scale
needed to provide enough recycled material to meet current and future demand at
a competitive price point. With transparency and environmentally responsible
practices baked in, brands get a new dependable feedstock while suppliers gain
access to new customers. It’s a win-win for everyone — eliminating pollution,
creating jobs, further reducing the reliance on virgin plastic resins, and
giving brands a powerful marketing message for their products.
Plastic waste is everywhere; and averted plastic offers a key pillar in a more
sustainable, circular economy that protects the environment, reduces inequities,
and improves the livelihoods and health of all communities around the world.
To learn more about
Oceanworks’
new averted plastic offerings, please watch our recent
webinar.
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Published Oct 12, 2020 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST