Pollastic: Hero Packaging’s Take on Ocean-Bound Plastic

TL;DR: Pollastic cannot be effectively traced, is not regulated and has one option for end of life: landfill.  In addition to this, Pollastic is made in China (not in Malaysia). As there is no manufacturing information on the website, nor is there a proper disposal method, we believe this is greenwashing. 

Pollastic and Other Ocean-Bound Plastic in the Media

ABC NEWS: "Bunnings removes 'ocean-bound plastic' item from shelves"

ABC NEWS: "Environmental advocates have lodged a complaint with Australia's competition watchdog about the terms "ocean plastics" and "ocean-bound plastics", alleging they are a greenwashing marketing tactic."

Sydney Morning Herald: "Consumer watchdog urged to step in on so-called ocean plastic"

The Guardian: "Recycled plastic can be more toxic and is no fix for pollution, Greenpeace warns"

In the growing effort to combat plastic pollution, solutions like Pollastic—a range of products made from "ocean-bound plastic"—are increasingly marketed as eco-friendly. While the concept of reusing plastic before it enters the ocean seems noble, it’s vital to scrutinise whether these initiatives truly address the root causes of pollution or simply serve as greenwashing tools.

Hero Packaging’s perspective: Pollastic, like many ocean-bound plastic initiatives, oversimplifies the problem and risks misleading consumers into believing they’re making a positive environmental impact.

What Is Ocean-Bound Plastic?

Ocean-bound plastic is defined as plastic waste collected within 50 kilometres of coastlines in regions lacking effective waste management. Proponents argue that transforming this waste into new products like Pollastic packaging prevents it from polluting marine ecosystems. However, this definition is arbitrary and lacks a robust scientific basis for ensuring these plastics would inevitably reach the ocean.

• Fact: Globally, 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean annually, with projections suggesting this figure could triple by 2040 (Pew Charitable Trusts). Intercepting a fraction of this plastic, while commendable, addresses symptoms rather than the systemic causes of plastic waste.

Why Pollastic May Be Greenwashing

1. Focus on Downstream Solutions, Not Prevention

   Pollastic focuses on collecting and repurposing ocean-bound plastic instead of addressing the upstream problem: overproduction of plastics. This reactive approach neglects the 460 million metric tons of plastic produced annually (OECD, 2023), much of which is unnecessary single-use plastic.

   • Key Issue: Pollastic does not reduce demand for virgin plastic or halt the production of disposable items, perpetuating the cycle of waste.

2. Recycling Is Not a Circular Solution

   • Recycled plastics degrade in quality with each cycle, a process known as "downcycling." Products like Pollastic may become non-recyclable after one or two uses, eventually ending up in landfills or incineration facilities.
   • Stat: Only 9% of plastic waste ever produced has been recycled, and the rest is either incinerated (12%) or discarded in landfills and the environment (79%) (UNEP, 2023).

   This undermines claims that Pollastic is part of a circular economy. Once its lifecycle ends, it still contributes to the plastic waste crisis.

3. Chemical Contaminants Persist

   Ocean-bound plastics often absorb hazardous chemicals, such as:

   • Flame retardants.

   • UV stabilisers.

   • Additives like phthalates, known endocrine disruptors.

   • Fact: A study published in Environmental Science & Technology (2023) identified 3,500 harmful chemicals in recycled plastics, many of which persist in end products like Pollastic. These toxins pose risks to both human health and ecosystems.

4. Inefficient Collection and Processing

   Collecting ocean-bound plastic is logistically complex and energy-intensive. Transportation, sorting, and processing add significant carbon emissions, negating the supposed environmental benefits.

   • Data Point: Recycling ocean-bound plastics emits up to 2.5 kg of CO₂ per kilogram of plastic processed (Plastics Europe, 2023), often higher than producing virgin plastics.

5. Greenwashing Risks

   The marketing around Pollastic uses emotionally charged language, emphasising its role in “saving the ocean.” However:

   • Most consumers lack visibility into the sourcing, processing, and recyclability of these products.
   • Misleading claims can overshadow more effective solutions, such as reducing single-use plastic altogether or transitioning to compostable alternatives.

Pollastic vs. Sustainable Alternatives

At Hero Packaging, we believe in addressing the root causes of plastic pollution by focusing on innovative, truly sustainable materials. Here’s how Pollastic stacks up against viable alternatives:

Call to Action: Moving Beyond Greenwashing

Instead of promoting recycled plastics like Pollastic, the industry must focus on transformative solutions that address the entire lifecycle of packaging. Key steps include:

1. Reducing Plastic Production

   • Invest in material innovations that minimise dependency on fossil-fuel-based plastics.
   • Advocate for stricter government regulations on single-use plastics.

2. Transitioning to Compostable Materials

   • Compostable packaging made from plant-based fibers is a practical, scalable alternative.
   • These materials break down naturally, leaving no harmful residue.

3. Consumer Education

   • Inform consumers about the limitations of recycling and the potential for greenwashing in claims like “ocean-bound plastic.”
   • Promote sustainable consumption habits, such as prioritizing reusable packaging.

Conclusion: Ocean-Bound Plastic Isn’t the Solution

Pollastic and similar products may offer temporary relief from the plastic waste crisis, but they are not the long-term answer. By focusing on end-of-life impacts, chemical risks, and the inefficiency of recycling systems, it becomes clear that such initiatives are often more about optics than substance. Hero Packaging champions a future where packaging leaves no trace—a vision that can only be achieved through genuine sustainability, not greenwashing.

Let’s collectively move beyond the illusions of recycled plastics and work toward real change.