Until recently, plastic beach trash had fallen into the category of non-recyclable materials. The longer plastic is exposed to the elements such as UV sun rays and other toxins in the ocean, the original composition of the plastic becomes altered, making the plastic too brittle to be recycled into high quality plastic. Thanks to method® (as in method dish soap) and their partnership with Envision Plastics, they were able to develop “an entirely new process … that allows us to clean, blend, and re-manufacture low quality material into high quality plastic.” They created Ocean PCR (post-consumer resin), which is 100% post-consumer high-density polyethylene (HDPE), 25% of which is plastic collected from the Pacific Ocean garbage patch.
While Ocean PCR does not solve the problem of plastic ocean pollution, method’s efforts are raising awareness about plastic trash in the ocean and challenging our preconceived notions about what constitutes recyclable plastics. You will have to wait until the fall before bottles made from Ocean PCR are available on store shelves, so stay tuned. Whether you are a consumer who uses method brand products or not, the fact that they have recently introduced a bottle made from recycled beach trash is something that most, if not all, can agree is a great accomplishment. In addition to only using 100% recycled plastic for their existing bottles, they are taking steps to recycle the plastic that’s already in surplus on our planet and on our beaches. They are a model of corporate, social and environmental responsibility that all companies should strive for. Bravo Method, Bravo!
