Ocean Bound Plastic FAQ

Plastic pollution is a huge problem, so we are pro-actively providing a solution with our Ocean Bound Plastic bags. Ocean bound plastic is sourced from within 50km of waterways and coastlines in areas that lack formal community-based recycling collection. There is a high likelihood that the plastic in these at-risk zones would enter the ocean or other waterways if not collected for recycling programs. This plastic waste is picked up, and it gets recycled into pellets to make bags and other goods. Our goal in using ocean plastic is to recycle it into quality sustainable bags while simultaneously empowering the less fortunate and preventing plastic from further polluting our ocean.

We believe it is better to use existing materials and recycle than create new materials from new resources. There is plenty of plastic already in existence that is ready to be reused, however, to create compostable bags, we would need to use new resources. Plastic is a very reusable and recyclable material, so we believe that until we find a better solution, collecting the abandoned plastic and giving it a new useful life is truly resource efficient and helpful.  We do however offer compostable options for those who prefer that environmental alternative.

Yes! They are 100% recyclable since the bags are #2 HDPE plastic, same as traditional plastic bags.

First, the plastic is collected by the employees within 50km of the coastlines where there is little to no infrastructure for recycling. Then, the plastic is taken to our partner’s local recycling centers where it is processed and transformed into recycled plastic resin that can be used for many different products, including our Ocean Bound Plastic trash bags. Lastly, the once abandoned plastic finds its way into a home to be used in daily life, and then, it is ideally recycled so that it can be repurposed into new items again and again.

With our Ocean Bound Plastic bags, we want to give a strong and durable sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bag users as a step towards a more waste free, sustainable, and environmentally sound future. We believe that reducing the amount of plastic going into our ocean and upcycling it is crucial. We believe that in order to slow and stop plastic pollution, we need to reuse the plastic that’s already out there. Not using the plastic that is already in the environment does more harm than good. By reducing plastic in the environment and upcycling it to use in our homes, we make plastic work for us instead of against us and our Earth. By using plastic that is in danger of polluting our oceans, we reduce wastefulness, reduce the use of new natural resources and we can clean up the coastlines.