From Trash to Treasure: The Beauty of Maritime Waste

elho new sustainable Ocean Collection pots prevent waste from ending up in our oceans

The human impact on the world’s oceans has never been more prominent, with images of polluted oceans being easily recognisable. Maritime waste refers to any persistent human-created solid material that has been intentionally or unintentionally released into the marine environment. According to a study conducted by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, three-quarters of the rubbish along the Australian coastline is plastic, with most of the waste being from Australian sources, and concentrated near urban areas. 

Marine waste can pose a navigation hazard, smother coral reefs, transport invasive species and negatively affect tourism. It also injures and kills wildlife, has the potential to transport chemical contaminants, and may pose a threat to human health.

 

Now acknowledged as a global environmental issue with increasing concern, implementing design elements in a home that are kind to the environment is a small yet powerful way to make a difference. A great way to do this is by incorporating homeware products that are created and designed using recycled maritime waste. 

For Dutch pot plant brand elho, a focus on the environment is at the core of all their ranges, with all their products made using wind energy and 100% recyclable materials. Their newest range, the Ocean Collection Designer pots are made with plastic waste, to help keep the oceans clean.

“The ability to achieve an eco-friendly home lies in choosing products that have sustainable materials and are made with care,” says Patty Willems, PR Manager at elho. “Sustainable homewares not only help the environment but also double up as aesthetic, functional products that can complement the look and feel of the entire home”. 

 

“We wanted to do our part to help. A big portion of ocean plastic waste consists of fishing nets and ropes, which are abandoned at sea so we found a way to re-use this maritime plastic in our production process to create new unique Ocean Collection flower pots.  In this way we do our part to prevent this waste from ending up in the ocean,” says Patty. 

The stunning pots are made using recycled maritime plastic granules and this technique allows each flower pot to be unique with different colour tones and a natural marble effect reflecting the colours of the ocean. 

The elho Ocean Collection Designer pots are available from Bunnings Warehouse nationwide, in two colourways – Atlantic Blue and Pacific Green, and in two sizes; 14cm (RRP $17.98) and 16cm (RRP $22.98). For more information, visit www.elho.com/au/