The large scale of waste pollution in the ocean is a leading concern for many across the globe. As this continues to increase and becomes a pressing issue, there is a need for more sustainable packaging options that help to prevent plastic pollution and present a long-term solution for the planet’s future.
As part of our many sustainable pharmaceutical packaging developments, Origin now offers packaging that utilises ocean polymers. This not only averts the need to produce more plastic waste but also actively decreases the amount of plastic waste in the ocean. In this blog, we discuss the consequences of plastic in the ocean further and how our sustainable plastic packaging offers a solution to combat oceanic packaging waste.
The Problem of Plastic in the Ocean
Ocean plastic pollution is an exponential problem, with the amount of plastic build-up in oceans only increasing as time goes on. In fact, the amount of plastic waste has doubled within a short space of time, going from 156 million tonnes in 2000 to 353 million tonnes in 2019 (source). As this plastic waste accumulates in the ocean, due to poor waste management and various other factors, it can take decades or even centuries to degrade. As a result, marine life suffers from ingesting and becoming trapped in plastic waste.
When plastic waste finally does break down, it then becomes small fragments known as microplastics. These are then ingested by marine life and enter the food chain, which then affects human health, too.
With the large-scale impact that plastic has on the ocean, companies across many industries must work towards reducing and reusing plastic waste more efficiently, which is what has led to the production of our ocean polymers.
About Origin’s Ocean Polymer Packaging
As a direct response to the issue of plastic in the ocean, we understand as packaging manufacturers that there is an onus on us to work towards more sustainable ways of operating. As a result, this is where the development of our ocean polymers has derived from.
To produce our ocean polymers, we source plastic waste from oceans most at threat of plastic pollution, then reutilise these under our stringent processes to create plastic packaging that is not only durable but also suitable for pharmaceutical and lifestyle use. Our ocean polymers are compliant with FDA polymer formats, ensuring that they’re suitable for pharmaceutical applications where compliance with industry standards is essential.
This recent development in our sustainable plastic packaging offerings helps to ensure that our model becomes more circular, ensuring that packaging can be reused once again to minimise waste and impact on the environment.
Our ocean polymers are compatible with blow moulding, injection, extrusion, and compression processes, allowing them to be formed for a diverse range of uses. Specifically, we can use this sustainable plastic packaging for the manufacture of plastic bottle packaging, pharmaceutical closures, and containers that are suitable for an array of different industries.
Why Choose Ocean Polymers?
By taking advantage of our ocean polymer packaging and our various sustainable packaging options, there are a range of benefits for your business, including:
Government Regulation
As government regulations evolve to support the country’s sustainability goals, it can be worthwhile to future-proof your packaging products. For example, EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) is a regulatory scheme that requires producers to pay the full net costs of managing and recycling the packaging waste from products they place on the market. Later this decade, the UK government is set to adjust these fees based on the recyclability of packaging materials used.
As a result, reducing your business’ packaging waste and opting for more circular options will likely present several compliance-related and financial benefits in the future.
Consumer Perception
The perception of your company by consumers will also benefit from choosing our sustainable plastic packaging. Customers will increasingly be looking to businesses to provide sustainable options for guilt-free purchases, so choosing our ocean polymers means that you can keep your products in line with the public’s increasing environmental consciousness.
Dependable Use
Our ocean polymers can be trusted to provide the performance required for your application. Whether for use as pharmaceutical packaging or for lifestyle product packaging, the durability and the FDA compliance of these sustainable plastic packaging options mean that our ocean polymers are as practical as they are renewable.
Sustainable Packaging Solutions at Origin
The problem of plastic in the ocean, accumulating as a result of the ever-increasing amount of plastic packaging waste, is cause for concern. However, with sustainable packaging options such as our ocean polymers, all can benefit from using circular packaging that’s dependable and developed to your requirements.
At Origin, we offer a range of sustainable pharmaceutical packaging solutions ideal for many uses. Included in these are also our bio-based resin, paper-based packaging, cellulose fibre closures, and further glass packaging and plastic packaging options for use as reliable packaging.
To find out more about how our environmentally friendly packaging options can benefit your business, a member of our team will be happy to discuss this with you when you get in touch with us.
