Can POLLAST!C^TM packaging help reduce global warming and climate change?

POLLAST!C^TM is our range of bags (and more!) made from recycled Ocean Bound Plastic pollution that we rescue from the environment in SouthEast Asia. It’s pretty obvious how this helps reduce plastic pollution, but what is its impact on the global warming crisis we currently face?  

POLLAST!C production has a low carbon footprint

The process of making POLLASTI!C Packaging generates significantly less greenhouse gases than when the equivalent packaging is made from virgin plastic^1.So, when our customers make the switch to packaging made from POLLAST!C, it results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. Not zero unfortunately, but lower definitely.

Plastic harms the ocean's ability to sequester carbon

The ocean is the largest and most important carbon sink in the world. It absorbs almost a third of the CO₂ emissions released into the atmosphere [check out this fantastic campaign by our friends at LiveOcean]. Ocean phytoplankton are the key reason because these microscopic marine algae and bacteria absorb about as much carbon as all the plants and trees on land combined²! However, micro plastics inhibit the ability of phytoplankton and zooplankton to sequester carbon. By diverting plastic from entering the ocean, POLLAST!C helps the ocean (in some small way) to do what it’s great at!

Plastic suffocates Mangroves

Likewise mangrove forests are of critical environmental significance because they also absorb vast quantities of CO₂, far more even than mountain forests. Mangroves are also disproportionately affected by plastic pollution for several reasons. Because they tend to grow around river mouths, their complex aerial root systems are extremely likely to trap plastic as it flows past or washes up. In fact, some of the highest densities of plastic pollution ever reported come from mangroves. This plastic pollution hinders photosynthesis and suffocates the plants, deforming the roots and obstructing water movement. Basically, it’s killing the mangroves and their seedlings are especially prone. By removing Ocean Bound Plastic from coastal areas, POLLAST!C helps prevent the gradual decline of mangrove swamps’ and their ability to sequester C0₂.

Further reading at The Guardian: Mangroves ‘choking’ in plastic pollution

While POLLAST!C doesn't actively remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere (yet), it certainly helps combat several factors that are making global warming worse! And that's got to be a better thing. 

1. Supported by detailed LCAs which we are happy to share with interested parties.
2. Source: Client Earth