How Do Ocean Plastics End Up at Stanford Manufacturing
We’re proud to offer ocean plastics as an alternative raw material to customers. So, how do ocean plastics end up as a manufacturing option at Stanford Manufacturing? There are amazing companies that are currently working to remove plastic from our oceans. Some of these companies collect ocean plastic via large floating nets that are slowly towed behind ships. The nets are towed at a depth to collect surface level plastic without interrupting, or also collecting, sea life to the best of their ability. Other companies set up water-surface level nets at the ends of rivers and streams to catch plastic before it enters the ocean and without impeding the natural flow of wildlife from river to ocean.
Once the nets are full of plastic, they are closed and lifted onto the ship deck. Later, once the ships dock, they send the plastic they’ve gathered off to recycling facilities where the plastic is sorted. If you’ve looked into recycling codes in your own town, you know that there are certain types of plastic, among other materials, that can be recycled while others cannot. Specific types of plastic can only be recycled together so that the regrind process does not become infiltrated by external factors, so this is exactly what the initial sorting process works to weed out.
Once the plastic is properly sorted, it is reheated and ground into small pellets or flakes, which will serve as raw material to create new products. The last step to the supply chain is for Stanford Manufacturing to order this reground ocean plastic from recycling facilities, or other providers, and have it shipped to us. Once it arrives at our facility, we store it in a dry environment, so it is not tainted by any moisture.
We always have ocean-sourced plastic available for customers to choose from. Recycled ocean plastic is at a higher price point than regular raw material, and this is due to the many steps that go into sourcing this material. Regardless of its price, we are very excited to offer a sustainable plastic option. While we want our customers to make the best choice in raw materials to suit their product’s needs, we encourage everyone to investigate the benefits of ocean plastics and help us contribute to a more sustainable future.
While we love being able to offer ocean plastic as a manufacturing option, this is your friendly reminder to help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our rivers, streams and oceans and recycle at home, work or wherever else recycling is available to you!
