Material Guide
Ocean-Bound / Ocean-Related Recycled Plastic
Recovered plastic waste collected from coastal areas and other environments where it is at risk of entering the ocean.
Recovered plastic waste collected from coastal areas and other environments where it is at risk of entering the ocean, then repurposed into material for new products.
What is ocean-bound plastic?
Ocean-bound plastic generally refers to plastic waste collected from areas where there is a risk that it could enter the marine environment if it is not recovered.
Rather than allowing this plastic to remain as unmanaged waste, it can be collected, sorted and processed into recycled material for use in new products.
Ocean-related recycled plastic can also include recovered marine-related waste such as discarded fishing nets and ropes, depending on the particular material and supplier.
From recovered waste to new material
- 1
Recovered
Plastic waste is collected before it can become further environmental pollution.
- 2
Sorted & cleaned
Suitable plastics are separated and prepared for recycling.
- 3
Reprocessed
Recovered plastic is processed into usable recycled material.
- 4
Remade
The recycled material is used in the manufacture of new products.
Ocean-related recycled plastic in promotional merchandise
Recovered plastics can be transformed into materials suitable for a variety of promotional products.
Bags & carriers
Recycled plastic can be used to produce tote bags, backpacks, pouches and other carry products.
Drinkware
Recovered plastic can be used in selected bottles, cups and reusable drinkware components.
Writing & office accessories
Recycled plastic can appear in pens, pencils, cases and other stationery items.
Technology & accessories
Selected tech accessories, phone stands, cables and other small merchandise may incorporate recycled plastic.
Why choose ocean-related recycled plastic?
Uses recovered plastic. Gives existing plastic waste another use rather than relying solely on new plastic material.
Supports waste recovery. Creates demand for plastic recovered from waste streams associated with coastal and marine environments.
Creates new material from waste. Suitable recovered plastic can be processed into material for useful new products.
A visible sustainability story. For promotional merchandise, the material provides an understandable story about waste recovery and material reuse.
Ocean-bound doesn't necessarily mean collected from the ocean
The terms ocean-bound, ocean-related and ocean-recycled should not automatically be treated as meaning the same thing.
Ocean-bound plastic may be collected before it reaches the ocean, while some ocean-related materials may incorporate waste associated with marine environments, such as recovered fishing nets.
Ecosource should use the terminology supported for the individual product rather than implying that all products are manufactured from plastic physically removed from the ocean.
Always refer to the individual product information for the specific recycled material claim and any available recycled-content percentage.
Supplier documentation
Ocean-bound and ocean-related recycled plastic claims should be supported by supplier documentation or material information specific to the product.
Where a supplier provides a verified recycled-content percentage or source information, Ecosource may display that information against the individual product.
Claims should only be made where the available product information supports them.
What about carbon impact?
Material choice is only one part of a product's overall carbon footprint.
Manufacturing, product weight, packaging, decoration, quantity, transport and final destination can all influence the footprint of a finished order.
Where supplier-provided product carbon information is available, Ecosource displays it separately on the relevant product.
Understanding the claim
A claim relating to ocean-bound or ocean-related recycled plastic describes the source or recovery pathway of recycled plastic used in a product. It does not necessarily mean the entire finished product is made from that material.
Avoid assuming that:
- the entire product is made from ocean-bound plastic;
- ocean-bound plastic means collected directly from the ocean;
- all ocean-related products contain the same recycled-content percentage;
- an ocean-related claim automatically means a lower overall environmental impact; or
- the use of ocean-related recycled plastic alone determines the complete environmental impact of the finished product.
Other components may contain different materials, and recycled-content percentages can vary. Ecosource should only display specific material claims, percentages or certifications where these are supported by the product information available for that item.
Explore Ocean-Related Recycled Plastic products
Discover promotional products in our range made using recovered ocean-bound or ocean-related recycled plastic.