Glad’s new bin liners use recycled plastic that would otherwise pollute our precious oceans. Working with Oceanworks in nations with no formal waste management, they’ve helped save the equivalent of nearly 10 million plastic bottles from ending up in the sea.
In a time where we are constantly reminded of the need to consider our sustainable future, it can feel overwhelming to think of how to make an impact on a global issue.
With over eight million tonnes of plastic waste entering our oceans every year and 80 percent of this coming from the land, the US’s Ellen MacArthur Foundation is estimating that if we continue to do nothing to stop it, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
Glad® recently conducted research that showed 71 percent of New Zealanders view plastic in the ocean as the number one environmental concern.
Recognising the need to offer solutions that will improve ocean health, plus the appetite among consumers to make smarter choices at the supermarket, Glad® put its research and development power behind an innovative solution to address the concerns of shoppers.
The company partnered with Oceanworks® to develop a new bin liner that would directly contribute to the reduction of ocean-bound plastic; the Glad to be Green® 50% Ocean Bound Plastic Recycled Bin Liners.
According to Oceanworks®, ocean-bound plastic presents a significant threat to marine ecosystems, where it pollutes waterways, harms sea life and its habitats, and eventually breaks down into microplastics that present a permanent danger to marine life and humans consuming contaminated seafood.
“It was a moment of putting our heads together to consider how shoppers can make better choices in their weekly shop. Like any journey towards becoming more sustainable, it’s about thinking outside the square and for Glad® that involved turning the tables on ocean-bound plastic,” says Joy Delis, Marketing Director of Glad® ANZ.
“One of best ways to do that was to partner with Oceanworks® to create New Zealand’s first ocean-bound recycled plastic bin liner, made from 50 percent ocean-bound recycled plastic that would otherwise end up in the ocean,” she continues.
“We are proud to be working with an organisation to achieve a common goal to help protect our environment and educate consumers on the importance of keeping plastic waste out of our oceans.”
The product includes recycled ocean-bound plastic that has been collected by Oceanworks®, who are partners in nations with no formal waste management practices. The collection area covers a 50km catchment from the shoreline, and every roll purchased helps prevent the equivalent of two 2L bottles from flowing into the ocean.
Glad’s leadership in developing and launching this product has already prevented the equivalent of nearly 10 million 2L plastic bottles from entering the ocean. As more consumers adopt these bags, those numbers will grow exponentially over time.
‘Each package of these Glad to be Green® 50% Ocean Bound Plastic Recycled Bin Liners includes a unique batch number that customers can look up online to trace exactly where they have stopped ocean-bound plastic from entering the sea.’
Joy also says that Kiwi shoppers can further participate in this sustainability journey after their purchase.
“Each package of these Glad to be Green® 50% Ocean Bound Plastic Recycled Bin Liners includes a unique batch number that customers can look up online to trace exactly where they have stopped ocean-bound plastic from entering the sea. All they need to do is scan the QR code on each pack,” she says.
Oceanworks® CEO Vanessa Coleman admits it was an easy decision to partner with Glad®.
“At Oceanworks®, we envision a world where plastic is no longer wasted and instead reused and recycled within a circular economy,” she says. “Achieving our mission at scale requires global brand leaders like Glad® who are willing to take action, incorporate a new material stream and share that story with their customers. Together we can, and will, eliminate plastic pollution, reduce plastic’s carbon footprint and create jobs in collector communities worldwide.”
Want to do your bit to stop plastic waste from entering the sea? The Glad to be Green® 50% Ocean Bound Plastic Recycled Bin Liners are available from Countdown, New World, PAK’nSAVE and select supermarkets nationwide. For further information on the impact that has been made so far, visit glad.co.nz/ocean-recycled.
