“Studies have shown that within the next few decades, the daily input of plastic waste going into our oceans will triple, and there will be more plastic by weight than fish in our oceans by 2050.” – Ocean Bottle.
With the United Nations launch of the Ocean Decade at the start of 2021, we couldn’t think of a better way to start the New Year than to team up with Ocean Bottle.
Like us, Ocean Bottle shares a commitment to protecting our planet. Ocean Bottle strives to lessen the impact of plastics in our oceans and ‘clean up’. The textile we use for our Staniel Swim Shorts is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Together we share a desire to enlighten consumers on ways they can shop more sustainably and implement planet-friendly habits into their everyday lives. We share the belief small and simple changes can make a huge difference.
Last year we had the opportunity to chat to Will and Nick, the co-founders behind Ocean Bottle and we learnt more about their journey to create the brand and communicate its ‘NBS’ (No Bullshit Sustainability) credentials.
Here are the foundations…
Ocean Bottle, born in London in 2019, is turning the tap off on ocean plastics with their stainless-steel reusable bottles. Bottles that not only help to protect oceans but also support livelihoods across the world.
“With every Ocean Bottle sold, the equivalent of 1000 plastic bottles are kept out of the ocean, allowing collectors in coastal communities to access money, healthcare, education, tech and microfinance in exchange.” Ocean Bottle
Being both stylish and sustainable, one easy purchase will bring knowledge of the plight of our waters to the attention of others and in doing so will give encouragement to ditch single-use plastics for a bottle that can last a lifetime.
In 2020 they became B Corp certified and picked up impressive awards such as Forbes 30 under 30 and London Business Awards. 2020 hasn’t been a typical year for anyone. Still, the brand has seen the pandemic as a “great pause” which they hope has left humanity with a greater appreciation of its vulnerability and that people will show greater care for one another, and also for our planet.
In January, the Ocean Bottle published their first Impact Report to indicate their achievements and goals for the future. For 2021 they have set inspirational and ambitious goals focused on four ‘Impact Pillars’ – Ocean Health, Social Good, Climate Action and Closing the Loop. By 2025, the brand’s mission is to be collecting 3 billion plastic bottles per year. The part they play in the refill revolution and protecting our planet has certainly been brought into focus within the last year with the coronavirus pandemic.
PLASTIC COLLECTORS
Ocean Bottle has not only paved the way in fighting against ocean plastic, but they have also made commendable responses to the pandemic. Sticking to their words by ‘Prioritising people’ they launched their Obsidian Black bottle. A limited-edition bottle that has helped raise £3000 for the Plastic Bank Community Relief Fund, helping their valued collectors stuck in lockdowns across the world that couldn’t go to work to earn a livelihood. They also sent 75 Ocean Bottles to NHS heroes at hospitals across the UK, only reinforcing how their B Corp certification signifies them as a force for good.
“A force that is good for you, communities and the planet.”
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF OCEAN BOTTLE