Today, manufacturers can choose between more sustainable options, such as reclaimed ocean-bound plastics, virgin plastic material, polymers with natural additives like hemp or some mix of these materials.

So what are the differences between ocean-bound plastic and virgin plastic? Read on to learn more about each material’s source, production process, environmental implications, and potential benefits.

Sources of Ocean-Bound Plastic vs. Virgin Plastic Material

Ocean-bound plastic refers to plastic waste that is at risk of entering the ocean and is collected from coastal areas, riverbanks and other regions. For example, RSP sources plastic from our trusted partners, such as Oceanworks®, that track and trace the material throughout its journey. Our ocean-bound plastic partners sort, clean and process these materials for reuse, such as for injection molding into new products.

Virgin plastic material, on the other hand, is produced from nonrecycled, raw materials, such as crude oil or natural gas. It undergoes extensive refining and processing before being manufactured into products for the food and beverage, cosmetics and medical industries, among many others. Virgin plastic is widely used across industries that require specific tolerances and properties due to its versatility and consistency.

Differences Between Ocean-Bound and Virgin Plastic

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of ocean-bound plastic and virgin plastic is the starkest difference between the two materials. While any plastic material, if not properly recycled, can make its way to oceans and waterways, reclaiming ocean-bound plastic is one way to offset the environmental impact.

Using ocean-bound material to manufacture new products helps reduce the resource consumption, energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions associated with virgin plastic production, not to mention mining and extraction of raw materials needed to produce virgin plastic in the first place. Utilizing ocean-bound plastic also aids in raising awareness about the importance of recycling and responsible waste management practices.

Quality and Consistency

Virgin plastic is known for its consistent quality, and despite its reputation for single-use products, some materials, such as PET, are quite durable. The final product’s characteristics can be precisely engineered as it is produced from controlled manufacturing processes.

On the other hand, ocean-bound plastic may have variations in quality and properties due to the diverse sources and types of plastic waste collected. However, because RSP’s partners carefully sort and process ocean-bound plastic material, many of these manufacturing variables are mitigated, leading to better outcomes than ever with reclaimed plastics.

Social Impact

The collection and recycling of ocean-bound plastic can have positive social implications. It creates employment opportunities in waste management, promotes community involvement in environmental initiatives and contributes to cleaner, healthier coastal regions. While driving manufacturing activity, virgin plastic production may not offer the same localized benefits as ocean-bound plastic initiatives.

How to Choose a Material for Your Product

Today, companies have more options for plastic materials than ever before. Even more important is choosing the right manufacturing partner. When you choose RSP, you leverage our expertise in working with various materials, from virgin plastic to reclaimed ocean-bound plastic and everything in between.

As a proven industry leader constantly experimenting with and exploring sustainable materials to serve our customers better, RSP can help you bring your ideas to life. Whether you need a prototype or a full-service turnkey contract manufacturer with decades of experience in plastic injection molding, RSP can help you choose the suitable material for your product. Contact us today to learn more about our services, and get started on bringing your product to market.

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Unfortunately, plastics also present a challenge to the world’s oceans as more and more trash is generated, especially with single-use disposable products like straws and bottles. Not all communities have a recycling stream or even a waste stream that keeps plastics away from the beaches and out of our waterways and oceans.

Just how serious is the problem? Here are some facts about plastic waste:

• 8 million metric tons of plastic enters the world’s oceans annually
• 80% of this comes from land-based sources
• If nothing is done by 2050, plastic in the ocean will outweigh fish

The numbers may seem staggering, but together, we can help turn it around. All of us have a responsibility to help solve this problem, and there are many things we can do to contribute individually and collectively. By now, everyone knows the three Rs:

• Reduce: This comes first for a reason. When we consume less, less plastic enters the waste stream.
• Reuse: Limiting disposable, single-use plastics means less ends up in landfills and waterways.
• Recycle: Purchasing recyclable packaging and products gives plastic waste a second chance to become useful again. You can also purchase products made from recycled plastic!

Products Made Out of Recycled Ocean Plastics

Manufacturing with recycled ocean products is a relatively recent development. Collection of the material has grown, and plastic compounders have learned how to clean and reuse it. We expect more and more products to be introduced using these materials. Some well-known products  many people use every day include:

• Liners for garbage cans
• Fabrics and clothing
• Spray bottles for cleaners

One commonly recycled plastic is PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and the largest source of this material is plastic bottles. PET bottles do not have to become waste. When disposed of properly, they are highly recyclable and have the potential to be reused many times. Plastic PET bottles should have a 360-degree life cycle.

A bottle’s recycling journey begins with you. It is:

• Used – enjoy a beverage!
• Collected in a recycling bin
• Separated from other types of recycled material
• Transported to a plastic compounding facility
• Processed – ground up and cleaned
• Reformed – molded or extruded into new bottles
• Re-used – enjoy another beverage!

Of course, there are many other uses of recycled plastics besides bottles.

• Clothing – Recycled PET flakes are extruded and then drawn into yarn (long filaments) which are then twisted together so that it can be woven or knitted into fabric or webbing. Outdoor retailer Patagonia has been at the forefront of this movement, using plastic bottles for clothing since the early 1990s. Newcomers like Everlane aim to use only recycled plastic in their products.
• Shoes – From soles to uppers, shoes can be made entirely from recycled plastic. Adidas, most famously, started turning ocean waste into sneakers and sportswear as early as 2015.
• Plastic forks – Some recycled marine materials have been certified food safe. RSP has molded several utensil products including forks from PET material.
• Bags – Several companies have developed cloth bags as well as traditional trash liner bags that are made from recycled marine material.
• Shampoo bottles and other CPG packaging (consumer packaged goods) – Like plastic beverage bottles, shampoo bottles and packaging for other everyday products can be processed into new recyclable bottles and begin the life cycle all over again.

Reducing Waste with Ocean Plastic

How does using recycled material help reduce the amount of plastic in our oceans? There are several ways. First, much of the material used is trash gathered from the ocean, ocean-bound waterways, or nearshore, which would otherwise end up in our seas and rivers. Removing this material directly reduces the amount of plastic in our water.

Second, the growing market for recycled material creates a financial incentive for more entities and organizations to collect and gather material to meet demand rather than use virgin plastic.

Finally, some brands participate in the Oceanworks® Impac+ program. Customers who engage with the brand amplify its impact while reducing their own environmental footprint, a win-win for brands and their followers. Typically, the brand guarantees additional material is removed from the oceans above and beyond the recycled material used in the product.

Next Steps

So what can you do to reduce your own environmental footprint?

First, follow the classic slogan: Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Think about what that really means. Consume less, reuse what you can, and recycle what you can’t. Small changes make a difference. Implement those changes in your everyday life. Educate yourself on the benefits of sustainability. Simple things like not using plastic straws or carrying your own reusable straw all contribute to a healthier world.

Then, make choices in the market that support eco-friendly products. Look for companies that manufacture using Oceanworks® plastics. Do your research on brands that tout sustainability, and look for certifications that ensure companies are making good on their claims.

Finally, get involved in your community. Individual choices matter, but legislative and corporate policies have the potential for large-scale change. Contact your elected officials, and urge companies to do more to lessen their environmental footprint. Use social media or face-to-face interactions to lead by example. Once you understand the contribution and impact you have, you can use your knowledge to help others live more sustainably too.

Want to learn more about how RSP can incorporate recycled ocean plastic into your product?

LEARN MORE

Laura Parker, “The World’s Plastic Pollution Crisis Explained,” National Geographic, June 7, 2019, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution.

Chris Sharrington, Plastics in the Marine Environment, June 1, 2016, https://www.eunomia.co.uk/reports-tools/plastics-in-the-marine-environment/.

Rebecca Harrington, “By 2050, the Oceans Could Have More Plastic Than Fish,” Business Insider, January 26, 2017, https://www.businessinsider.com/plastic-in-ocean-outweighs-fish-evidence-report-2017-1?op=1.

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Recyclable packaging is important, but products and packaging made from recycled and reclaimed materials take the concept of sustainability even further. At RSP, we are proud to continue to innovate in this field with our thermoforming services.

What Is Thermoforming?

Thermoforming is a process in which a sheet of plastic (e.g., PET sheet) is heated up and then vacuum sealed and stretched over a tool to be shaped into a product.

RSP, an expert contract manufacturer with production and sourcing capabilities in the US and overseas, is ISO13485 certified and serves a wide range of markets, such as medical, aftermarket automotive, and consumer and industrial goods. We have partnered with Oceanworks® to help supply our current and future customers with ocean reclaimed and recycled materials that can be used to manufacture their products.

Leveraging our decades of manufacturing expertise, we have invested resources into converting ocean-reclaimed plastic into the rPET (i.e., recycled PET) plastic sheet that is needed for the thermoforming process, and have prototyped multiple containers and packages from these ocean-reclaimed plastic sheets.

This is a live-action video of vacuum forming (it is a type of thermoforming using heat) in our facility! Thermoforming is a process in which a sheet of plastic is heated up and then vacuum-sealed and stretched over a tool to be shaped into a product. In this instance, we are using recycled ocean PET.

Capabilities of Thermoformed rPET Plastic Sheets

General capabilities for the sheets: Packaging, Trays, Insulation etc for anyone looking for “rpet sheets for X”. Also mention industries and related capabilities. Link to related industries where applicable.

​​Extruded sheets of ocean-reclaimed rPET can be used in a variety of packaging applications. The rPET sheet used for thermoforming is often found in plastic thermoformed packaging components like plastic trays, clear windows and blister packs. But thermoforming can also be used to manufacture items with food-safe applications and is commonly used to make water bottles. RSP has successfully tested forming these sheets of ocean plastic into carrier trays and clamshell packaging for food items, making them a natural fit for food and beverage companies that serve eco-minded consumers.

A quick look of a vacuum forming (type of thermoforming) sheet being removed from the machine.

Is Thermoformed Plastic Recyclable?

Answer this for SEO and highlight the use of already recycled ocean plastic -Link to oceanworks page.

Ocean plastics are recyclable like other plastics, so they can be placed in recycling streams, per any applicable local regulations and limitations. The ocean plastic itself of course is already recycled and reclaimed from the waterways and oceans of the world by our partners at Oceanworks. So when you choose ocean plastic to manufacture your products, they are not only recyclable but also reclaimed, part of a circular, more sustainable process.

Why Partner with RSP as Your rPet Thermoforming Plastic Manufacturer?

Highlight what capabilities RSP can provide while utilizing the recycled sheets – Packaging, Medical Packaging, etc and link to associated capabilities pages. Include a conversion form or a contact us button.

With our decades of experience as a contract manufacturer and our investment in R&D of rPET plastic sheet, RSP can help you with your eco-conscious thermoforming needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your company meet growing demands for thermoformed products made of innovative ocean-recycled PET materials that take sustainability one step further.

CONTACT US

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RSP is an official Oceanworks® member offering products made with certified recycled ocean plastics. Oceanworks® verifies the supply of recycled plastics from oceans, beaches, rivers and shores. This post is a spin-off of Oceanworks’ blog post: Selecting a Manufacturer That Can Work with Ocean Plastic

How to Find a Manufacturer That Uses Recycled Ocean Plastics

This is written by RSP, Inc. CEO Mike Ryan and dives into a conversation he had with a prospective customer about ocean plastic.

Finding Manufacturers That Use Recycled Ocean Plastics

I recently received a call from a potential client, and they seemed frustrated. They had called ten different plastic molders that they found on the internet and received a phone call back from only five of them. Of the five who had the time to return their call, none could answer the client’s question about injection molding with recycled ocean plastics.

The client asked me, “Where do I go to find a molder who is willing to work with recycled ocean plastics and has some experience working with it?”

I told them that I could answer their question. I went on to explain that RSP has been working with recycled ocean plastics for more than three years – which is a long time when you consider the materials weren’t available much before that! In fact, we were one of the pioneers of manufacturing with recycled ocean materials, and we continue to invest in the materials and processes so that we can be a one-stop shop for prototyping, packaging & manufacturing recycled ocean plastic products!

The potential client wanted to understand how the market for recycled plastic works, which materials RSP had worked with, and what the next step was in reviewing their recycled ocean plastic product requirements.

I explained that recycled ocean plastics are compounded around the world, but there is a higher concentration of suppliers in Asia. RSP has been in business for more than 60 years and has operations in the USA and China with clients in more than 40 countries, so procuring the material and shipping it would not be an issue.

Clients interested in using ocean plastic have many options. More than 60 base materials have been produced from ocean plastic, with more in development to continue opening possibilities to new ocean plastic products. RSP is an official Oceanworks Guaranteed® partner offering products made with certified recycled ocean plastics injection molding & other services. Oceanworks has set up one of the main global marketplaces for recycled plastic materials. RSP has handled and molded more than 25 different recycled plastics and has custom mixed and compounded many other variations.

There are several important questions to consider when looking at ocean plastic materials for a new design or switching from existing material. Ask your potential ocean plastic manufacturer these main questions:

• Are the material choices available in recycled ocean plastic suitable for the design?
• Are there any certifications or requirements of the product? For example, does it need to be food safe? Oceanworks offers several food-safe options.
• Does it need to be 100% recycled ocean plastic or is some portion acceptable? A blended material can provide more options.
• Is there a price target? Depending on where the material is compounded, sometimes freight costs can add up.

Once you have discussed these questions, RSP can offer a quote that can include test molding and production molding. Want more information about ocean plastic before getting a quote? Contact us today.

REQUEST A QUOTE

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RSP is an official Oceanworks Guaranteed® partner offering products made with certified recycled ocean plastics. Oceanworks® verifies the supply of recycled plastics from oceans, beaches, rivers, and shores. This post is a spin-off of Oceanworks’ blog post: What are the top five questions to ask your manufacturer about their ability to work with ocean plastics?

Top 5 Questions to Ask Manufacturer About Ability to Work with Ocean Plastics

What are the top five questions to ask your manufacturer about their ability to work with ocean plastics?

Whether your company has been working with a manufacturer for years or you’re on the hunt for a new contract manufacturing partner, introducing recycled ocean plastic into the equation requires an additional round of due diligence. Since relatively few manufacturers have experience with ocean plastic, it’s important to investigate their openness to the material and preparedness for handling it.

Asking the right questions up front can uncover some potential red flags and prevent both parties from going too far down the path if major issues seem likely. To get a full picture of a manufacturer’s profile when it comes to working with ocean plastic, here are five questions to ask. In the answers below, learn more about RSP’s experience with ocean plastic materials and processes, and be sure any manufacturing partner you consider can answer them knowledgeably too.

1. Are you willing to run high-quality recycled ocean plastics through your machinery?

Yes! RSP was an early adopter of recycled ocean plastic material, and we run tons of this plastic through our molding department every week with volumes expected to grow each year.

2. Have you worked with recycled plastic before?

Yes! RSP started using recycled plastics in 2005 when our plastics division was just evolving. At that time, RSP committed to being on the leading edge of sustainability in our industry. Current projects include packaging, blow-molded bottles, utensils, pest control products, and exercise equipment, with many more being added each month. RSP has also done custom blends of not only the recycled ocean plastic but also added biocomposites like hemp, rice, and flax. Tell us what you need!

3. What is your experience with imports?

RSP has operating teams in 3 countries and clients in over 40 countries around the world. We are not afraid of importing, exporting, shipping or cross-border transactions!

4. What kind of tooling will you use for sample runs?

RSP has been working with recycled ocean plastic for over 2 years, including experience using a variety of resins, hybrids, and custom compounded materials. We know how to design the tooling for optimal results and also for flexible steel-safe changes if required. If sample-run tooling is necessary, we have aluminum and “softer” steel options that are available to help ramp up production volumes or for testing the market.

5. Do you have experience with blending materials?

RSP has material engineers on-site every day at our facility working on selecting, modifying, and blending the correct resins and materials to get optimal results. This is part of the challenge and reward of working with new materials, and our team has the experience to troubleshoot and find solutions quickly.

Cast a wide net

Even if your company has existing relationships with manufacturers, asking these questions of your current manufacturers is a worthwhile exercise. You might discover that one of your manufacturers is better suited to work with ocean plastic than another, or you could learn that a new manufacturer is really the best fit.

Regardless of the outcome, these conversations are an important step to ensuring that introducing ocean plastic into the manufacturing process goes smoothly and that everyone involved can participate in managing risks and expectations en route to producing a sustainable product that you can be proud of.

Need assistance designing or manufacturing components with ocean plastic? Contact RSP, Inc. today to learn how we can help take your idea to the next level and make it a reality.

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