By Kevin Majoros
Banner photo above by Floris Kok
All over the world, creative conservationists are repurposing plastics into items that can be used daily. Everything from apparel to household items to garden sheds are now a possibility and are helping to keep plastics out of our landfills.
A wave of repurposing plastic initiatives is also bringing a new awareness to plastic manufacturers who are looking to enhance their environmental, economic and socially sustainable supply chains.
One company in Amsterdam has found a way to add an adventuring twist to tackling plastic pollution. Plastic Whale is a professional plastic fishing company whose mission is to create value from plastic waste.
Boats Made of Plastic Waste
Plastic Whale launched in 2011 with a single mission to make a boat out of plastic waste. Today, they have a fleet of eleven boats made entirely from plastics found in the Amsterdam Canals.
Founder Marius Smit explains the thought process behind starting Plastic Whale.
“When I was traveling the world for a year, I visited the most beautiful places you can imagine. But everywhere we went, we saw plastic waste,” says Smit. “I decided I wanted to create a movement of civilians, companies and government institutions who would work together towards a concrete, positive outcome. I created a challenge to build a boat from plastic waste and I invited everyone to help me.”
The boats themselves are things of beauty made from plastic waste repurposed into plastic foam plates. The floor decks on the boats are finished off with collected bottle caps.
Overfishing is a Positive When it Comes to Plastic Fishing
Marketed as ‘the best way to enjoy the canals of Amsterdam’, Plastic Whale utilizes their fleet of plastic boats to collect trash from the canals. To date, more than 21,000 individuals have stepped aboard their boats to collect trash.
And it isn’t just locals and tourists; companies are joining in for team-building events and schools are bringing in students to raise awareness at an early age. Adding the adventuring aspect gives the initiative a sense of purpose.
“When you walk the canals you wouldn’t say it, but even in the beautiful UNESCO certified canals of Amsterdam, the problem of plastic waste is severe. Each year we fish over 25,000 plastic bottles and tons of other kinds of plastic waste,” Smit says. “In other parts of the world, mostly in developing countries, the problem of plastic waste is enormous and growing every day. That’s why we are planning to create activities in such areas as well.”
Plastic Whale Circular Furniture is Sustainable by Design
Earlier this year, Plastic Whale Circular Furniture was launched following the full principles of circular production and design. In addition to the recycled Amsterdam Canal plastic, they are making use of other waste streams including recycled steel and residual fabrics. The furniture production is in partnership with Vepa Project Furniture.
Their product line consists of a boardroom table, lamp, chairs and acoustic panels. The sustainable design of the furniture was created by LAMA Concept and the pieces are assembled in a way that they can easily be disassembled at the end of their life for reuse. Plastic Whale will purchase the pieces back for raw materials.
“The ultimate inspiration behind all our designs is the oceans’ most impressive citizen, the whale,” says LAMA Concept. “Physically unique, dignified and graceful in its movements, this awe-inspiring creature also symbolizes the challenge that we are taking on. It is huge and yet extremely vulnerable to environmental damage; just like the seas that are its home.”
Global Impact on Plastic Waste Through Events and Partnerships
Plastic Whale generates revenue through multiple sources.
“A plastic fishing trip for tourists, costs €25 per person. As a company we are financially self-sustaining; we are not dependent of any subsidies,” says Smit. “We have four main sources of income: company sponsorships, company plastic fishing events and exploitation of the boats (tourists and private boat rentals). Lastly, we give a lot of presentations about the way we created a fast growing social enterprise from scratch.”
Through the formation of the Plastic Whale Foundation, they have developed education programs for schools which includes organizing free public events to raise awareness for plastic pollution. This past August, they partnered with Pride Amsterdam for their most colorful plastic fishing experience of the year.
Globally, they have expanded their plastic fishing to the Rotte river and the Rotterdam Old Harbour. Building on the success of their success in the Netherlands, Plastic Whale Foundation has begun working with their first local partner in the developing world.
Sweepsmart is a sustainable waste management enterprise based in Bangalore, India. They collect and recycle plastic waste to create local jobs and reduce the amount of plastic in landfill sites.
Plastic Whale Circular Furniture donates 10% of all revenue to the Plastic Whale Foundation’s efforts.
“Our ambition is to create economic value from plastic waste in various parts of the world, especially in developing countries,” Smit says. “By creating value from the waste, we give an economic impulse to the local community and attack the problem of plastic waste at the same. Stay tuned; we will announce more about our international plans soon.”
Follow Plastic Whale Online
Plastic Whale on Instagram