Ocean-bound plastic (OBP) refers to plastics left in the environment close to the ocean (max. 50 km) in areas without any waste management and therefore likely to end up in the oceans. It is estimated that OBP is responsible for 80% of marine litter.
At Berninox, we use recycled plastic from the Swiss company Tide Ocean SA to produce the base of our toothbrush heads. By using this material, we are part of the circular economy.
#tide works closely with local communities in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines to close the circle of plastic pollution. They organise beach clean-ups and pay fair wages to the waste collectors and fishermen who collect the plastics. They not only ensure a regular supply of raw materials, but also contribute to the establishment of resilient waste management infrastructures that require the strong involvement of the local population. This is the first and most important step in tackling the problem of global plastic pollution.
#tide then transforms ocean-bound plastic into a safe, premium material. Developed in close partnership with scientists at the Swiss University of Applied Sciences in Rapperswil, the #tide material is complies with REACH, RoHS and FDA regulations. It has been awarded the German Materialica Design & Technology Award 2019, the Swiss Plastics Sustainability Award 2020 and the Swiss Plastic Award in 2023.
The environmental and social impact of #tide is certified (Ocean-Bound Plastic, Global Recycle Standard and Recycled Claim Standard) and meets several of the United Nations' sustainable development objectives.
For more information: https://www.tide.earth/en/
