Antony Boffey

September 19, 2024

The Difference Between Marine Plastic and 'Oceanbound' Plastic

Why Traceable Marine Plastic is the Future of Sustainable Sourcing for Your Business

In today’s world, sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it’s an expectation. Businesses are being challenged to step up and adopt practices that put the planet first. And that means making smarter choices about where your materials come from. If your company is looking to cut down on environmental impact, sourcing recycled plastic is a great start. But here’s the catch: not all recycled plastics are created equal.

At Waterhaul, we’re focussed on giving ocean plastic a second chance. We take plastic that’s been wreaking havoc on our seas—like abandoned fishing nets—and transform it into traceable, high-quality plastic pellets. This isn't just good for the environment; it's also great for businesses looking to source ethically and transparently.

In this article, we’re diving into the actual differences between marine plastic and oceanbound plastic, and why we believe Waterhaul’s Traceable Marine plastic is the absolute best choice for businesses that want to make a real impact. What’s the Difference Between Marine Plastic and Oceanbound Plastic?

Before we get into why traceable marine plastic is the sustainable future for your business, let’s clear up the key differences between two buzzword-laden terms you might’ve heard: marine plastic and oceanbound plastic.

What is marine plastic?

Marine plastic is exactly what it sounds like—plastic that’s already in the ocean or end of life fishing gear, that has been used in the ocean and needs to be replaced. It's not just ugly to look at—it’s deadly for marine life, and it's clogging up ecosystems around the globe. Marine plastic can be split into two categories, based on the waste that it consists of. Post consumer marine debris relates to general plastic waste such as plastic bottles, food packaging, and single-use plastics that enter the marine environment from land-based sources. However the most dangerous and abundant form of marine plastic pollution relates to ghost gear and end of life fishing gear. This includes items such as fishing, nets, buoys and ropes. It is this marine plastic, we are focused on and trying to eradicate, at Waterhaul.

Ghost fishing gear (lost or discarded nets) is one of the biggest offenders. Their very purpose for being was they were built to last. Most fishing nets can survive for 500-600 years. They are durable, tough, and capable of causing a world of harm if left unchecked. But here’s the silver lining: we can recover it, recycle it, and repurpose it into something incredible.

What is ocean-bound plastic?

Oceanbound plastic is slightly different. This plastic hasn’t made its way into the ocean just yet, but it’s on the brink.  Ocean-bound plastic is defined as the collection of plastic waste in a 50km radius from the coastline (as defined in the Verra Plastic Standards). Waiting for the next gust of wind or heavy rain to carry it out to sea. The plastic on city streets, open landfills near coasts, or debris collecting around rivers—this is all considered oceanbound plastic.

Many companies focus on collecting oceanbound plastic to prevent it from entering the water. While it’s essential work, there’s a clear difference between stopping plastic before it potentially could get to the ocean and actually removing it from where it’s already causing damage.

Based on being within 50km from a coastline, here are some surprising cities which plastic could be collected from, and for that plastic to be considered Ocean-bound:

UK Cities -

• London, England (48 km to the Thames Estuary). Although London is often considered inland, the River Thames connects it to the North Sea, making parts of it within 50 km of the coast.
• Bristol, England (13 km to the Severn Estuary). Known for its inland position, Bristol is actually very close to the Bristol Channel, connected via the River Avon.

Major European Cities - 

• Paris, France (38 km to the English Channel). While known for its central location, Paris is not far from the coastal town of Le Havre and the English Channel.
• Brussels, Belgium (47 km to the North Sea). Despite its inland reputation, Brussels is within a short distance of Belgium's coastal region.
• Amsterdam, Netherlands (18 km to the North Sea). While Amsterdam is famous for its canals, it’s surprisingly close to the North Sea coast.
• Copenhagen, Denmark (12 km to the Øresund Strait). Though known for its urban environment, Copenhagen sits very near coastal waters.
• Hamburg, Germany (37 km to the North Sea via the Elbe River). Hamburg is often considered an inland port city but is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River.
• Stockholm, Sweden (coastal but often perceived as inland). Stockholm is spread across numerous islands and is actually a coastal city on the Baltic Sea, though it's not often considered a "coastal" city in the traditional sense.

Major US Cities - 

• Washington, D.C. (56 km to the Chesapeake Bay, 15 km from navigable rivers). While Washington is perceived as far from the coast, it is connected to the Atlantic through the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (47 km to the Atlantic coast via the Delaware River). While not typically thought of as a coastal city, Philadelphia is relatively close to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Baltimore, Maryland (20 km to the Chesapeake Bay). Baltimore is an inland port city, yet it’s very close to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic coast.
• San Jose, California (47 km to the Pacific Ocean). Though located inland, San Jose is within easy reach of the Pacific Coast near Santa Cruz.

Why Marine Plastic Is the Smarter Sustainable Choice for Businesses

So, what does this mean for your business?

When it comes to choosing between marine and oceanbound plastic, picking marine plastic has distinct advantages—especially when it’s traceable and comes from a responsible source like Waterhaul.

Here’s why:

1. You’re Actively Part of the Solution

By sourcing marine plastic, you’re not just preventing future pollution—you’re cleaning up the mess that’s already out there. With Waterhaul’s Traceable Marine Plastic pellets, your business is directly helping to remove waste that’s already causing harm. Every tonne of marine plastic we recover and transform into plastic pellets is waste that no longer clogs up the oceans or threatens marine life.

2. Traceability and Trust

Let’s face it—traceability is a big deal in today’s marketplace. Consumers want to know where your materials come from, and businesses need to trust that their suppliers are acting ethically. Waterhaul’s Traceable Marine Plastic offers a fully documented journey for your polymer pellets from ocean to product. When you choose our plastic, you get a clear, transparent supply chain. So when customers ask about your sustainability efforts, you’ve got the receipts.

Oceanbound plastic, while helpful in stopping future pollution, doesn’t always come with the same level of traceability. That lack of transparency could be a problem if you’re trying to position your brand as an eco-conscious leader. While picking up a crisp packet in a major inland city is important, it doesn’t carry the same powerful or emotional weight as directly tracing clean-up efforts in the ocean, where plastic pollution is actively killing whales and other marine life. The impact of removing debris from the sea is far more immediate and life-saving.

3. Uncompromising Quality

We understand: nobody wants to sacrifice quality for sustainability. Fortunately, with Waterhaul’s marine plastic, you don’t have to. Marine plastic, particularly ghost gear, is designed to be tough—it’s built to withstand the harshest conditions, which makes it perfect for repurposing into high-performance products. The recycled plastic pellets we create are every bit as durable as virgin plastic.

Whether your business is making consumer goods, packaging, or something else, our marine plastic pellets will stand up to the challenge. You get the same performance, but with the added bonus of a significantly smaller carbon footprint. We wouldn’t ask you to do something we did not have 100% confidence in. Since 2018, Waterhaul Traceable Marine Plastic has been used in a variety of our premium products such as our sunglasses, litter picking equipment and utility knives.

4. A Circular Economy Champion

By choosing marine plastic, your business is doing more than just sourcing recycled material. You’re helping to close the loop on plastic waste. Marine plastic that once endangered wildlife is given a second life as a valuable resource. Not only does this reduce the need for virgin plastic production, but it also helps fuel a market for recycled ocean waste—ultimately driving more clean-up efforts.

Why Waterhaul’s Traceable Marine Plastic Is the Right Choice for Your Business

At Waterhaul, we’ve made it our mission to turn the tide on ocean plastic. Our Traceable Marine Plastic pellets are made from 100% recycled waste recovered from the ocean, harbours and coastlines, with a focus on the most harmful types of debris—like discarded fishing gear.

Here’s why partnering with us for your plastic supply makes sense:

1. 100% Closed-Loop Recycling

We don’t believe in half measures. Our entire process is closed-loop, meaning no new plastic is introduced along the way. Marine plastic waste is collected, processed, and transformed into high-quality plastic pellets. This ensures that no additional waste is created in the process, helping your business meet its sustainability targets without increasing your environmental impact.

2. Sustainability with No Compromises

Some recycled plastics out there can feel like a trade-off—sustainable, but maybe not as durable or reliable as you’d like. But not with our traceable marine plastic. Recovered ghost gear is incredibly strong, and the plastic pellets we produce are built to last. Whatever your product or industry, our pellets offer the performance you expect from virgin plastic but without the environmental cost.

3. Ethical and Transparent Sourcing

You want to know where your materials come from, and so do your customers. Waterhaul is committed to ethical sourcing, working closely with coastal communities and conservation groups to recover harmful marine plastic. Our fully traceable supply chain means you can confidently show your commitment to sustainability with every product you make.

4. Tailored for Your Business

If you need specific grades of plastic or have special material requirements, we can help. Our marine plastic pellets can be customised to meet the unique demands of your business, ensuring that you get exactly what you need—without compromising on quality or sustainability.

5. Supporting Global Ocean Recovery

When you choose Waterhaul’s Traceable Marine Plastic, you’re not just choosing a recycled material—you’re contributing to global ocean clean-up efforts. Our profits fund additional recovery missions, which means the more plastic you source from us, the more waste we can remove from our oceans.

Why Your Business Should Choose Traceable Marine Plastic

If you’re serious about sustainability, sourcing plastic from the right supplier is critical. Waterhaul’s traceable marine plastic isn’t just another recycled material—it’s a product with a purpose. Here’s why it’s the best choice for your business:

• Genuine environmental impact: By sourcing marine plastic, your business actively contributes to the removal of harmful waste from the ocean.
• Transparent, traceable supply chain: Our fully Traceable Marine Plastic pellets gives you and your customers confidence in your sustainability claims.
• No compromises on quality: Marine plastic is incredibly durable, and our pellets match the performance of virgin plastic.
• Circular economy leadership: You’re not just using recycled plastic—you’re helping to drive demand for ocean waste recovery.
• Real-world impact: Every purchase supports our ocean clean-up initiatives, amplifying your business’s positive impact on the planet.

Final Thoughts: Building a Sustainable Future with Traceable Marine Plastic

As businesses across the globe increasingly prioritise sustainability, the choice of materials plays a critical role in defining a company’s environmental impact. By choosing Waterhaul’s traceable marine plastic, your business is investing in a high-quality, ethically sourced, and fully traceable product that not only meets your needs but also contributes to a cleaner planet.

The difference between marine plastic and oceanbound plastic isn’t just a technical distinction—it’s a difference in approach. With marine plastic, you’re helping to remove waste from our oceans, supporting a circular economy, and demonstrating leadership in sustainability. With Waterhaul, you can confidently provide your customers with products made from some of the most harmful waste in the world, transformed into a force for good.

The choices we make today will define the future of our planet. Businesses have a responsibility to make smart, sustainable decisions—and that starts with the materials you use. By choosing Waterhaul’s traceable marine plastic, your business isn’t just reducing its footprint; you’re actively helping to restore our oceans.

Sourcing from marine plastic doesn’t just make sense environmentally—it’s a powerful story to tell your customers. And with Waterhaul, you can trust that your plastic supply is ethically sourced, fully traceable, and built to last.