NextWave adds Logitech, Prevented Ocean Plastic, #tide ocean material to consortium

NextWave Plastics has announced the addition of international consumer technology company Logitech and ocean-bound plastics suppliers Prevented Ocean Plastic and #tide ocean material to its consortium of cross-industry companies and organizations taking measurable strides to keep plastic in the economy and out of the ocean. Nearly five years since the inception of NextWave Plastics, a growing number of member companies across a range of industries are collaborating to reach their shared goal of diverting a minimum of 25,000 metric tons of plastic, equivalent to 2.7 billion single-use plastic water bottles, from entering the ocean by the end of 2025.

“With almost five years our belt, the story of NextWave Plastics continues to be centered on empowerment, transparency and collaboration,” says Adrian Grenier, co-founder of Lonely Whale. “The addition of Logitech and ocean-bound plastic suppliers Prevented Ocean Plastic and #tide ocean material adds to the strength, diversity of knowledge, experience and potential of the NextWave consortium to create even greater impact and transformational change within and across industries.”

Logitech joins the ranks of NextWave member companies like HP and IKEA, recognizing that real change is drive by partnerships and collaboration, NextWave says. In addition to its pledge to avoid single-use plastic packaging whenever possible, Logitech was the first consumer electronics company to make the commitment to provide detailed carbon impact labeling on product packaging across their entire portfolio, with its first carbon labeled products hitting shelves in April 2021. They have open-sourced the methodology, measurement process and the label itself for others in the industry to use so that consumers can make informed purchase decisions.

“Plastic debris constitutes one of the most serious threats to ocean health. We are excited to join the NextWave Plastics consortium and collaboration on ways to divert and reuse plastic waste before it enters ocean-bound waterways,” says Prakash Arunkundrum, global head of operations and sustainability at Logitech. “At Logitech, we are committed to continuing to expand our efforts to eliminate single-use plastic and we are increasingly using post-consumer recycled plastic as our preferred material at scale as we design for sustainability across our portfolio.”

Core to NextWave Plastics achievement of its 2025 objective is development of the first global network of ocean-bound plastic suppliers, the organization says. Today that network spans 21 countries and 25 suppliers offering members a variety of ocean-bound plastics including material sourced from abandoned fishing gear and packaging. In alignment with NextWave’s social responsibility framework, Prevented Ocean Plastic and #tide ocean material are not only giving ocean-bound plastic new life, they are supporting local communities across the coastlines most at risk from ocean plastic pollution with reliable income and creating recycling infrastructure where they are needed most, NextWave says. The addition of Prevented Ocean Plastic and #tide ocean material enables the consortium to learn from these organizations and together grow the global network towards greater traceability and more holistic community sustainability.  

“There is talk that at least 160 billion euros will need to be invested in making Europe’s plastic systems more circular and carbon-neutral by 2050 if long-term environmental commitments are to be met. In truth we can’t wait for governments and big corporations to take action when there is so much that can be done today,” says Raffi Schieir, director of Prevented Ocean Plastic. “By working together we can lead the transformation of the recycled materials industry and build a positive, transparent circular economy where everyone is respected. By collecting and preventing ocean plastic there is a huge opportunity for ocean-bound plastic to build infrastructure, create jobs on at-risk coastlines and drive up the value of plastic.”

Prevented Ocean Plastic is recycled plastic material made from discarded plastic collected from coastal areas at risk of ocean plastic pollution. Used by supermarkets and brands across the world, it meets regulatory health and safety standards, is traceable back to source and can be identified on-pack through its distinctive triangular logo. Prevented Ocean Plastic has a wide range of commercial applications, from food packaging to cosmetics to personal protective equipment and today, diverts over 1,000 metric tons of ocean plastic pollution per month and counting, NextWave says.

The upcycled ocean-bound plastic material from #tide ranges from filament used for 3D printing, granules for electronic products to yarn suitable for apparel, bags, shoes and home and office interiors. #tide ocean material is certified ocean-bound plastic and fully traceable using block-chain tracking technology. Every shipment comes with a digital material passport, providing in-depth data about provenance, volumes, quality, processing steps and journey of the material.

“Tackling the issues of plastic pollution can only be done collaboratively. We are putting egos aside by learning from each other and growing as companies and as an organization. This is the culture we need,” says #tide founder and CEO Thomas Schori. “Our materials are as good and versatile as virgin plastics and building a resilient and efficient ecosystem is what will enable us to rapidly scale this market.”

In 2021 alone, NextWave member companies collectively prevented 959 metric tons of plastic, equivalent to more than 100 million plastic water bottles, from entering the ocean and gave it new life in over 337 premium products, including Humanscale’s Path chair, Dell’s packaging trays and CPI Card Group’s credit and debit cards, according to NextWave. Additionally, Shinola, a Detroit-based lifestyle brand, released an extension to its Detrola Sea Creatures Collection on World Oceans Day encompassing watches made using #tide ocean material granules and yarn. The brand, while known predominantly for watches, also released totes and fanny packs crafted from 100 percent recycled polyester and REPREVE, a material created from upcycled ocean-bound plastic bottles.

Drawing on nearly five years of knowledge-sharing and progress, NextWave recently released a series of case studies, Currents of Change, offering an exclusive look into how these global leaders catalyze transformative change and are taking the lead on tackling challenges, finding solutions and creating real impact.