Plastic waste is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Scarily, around eight million tonnes of it ends up in our oceans every year, accounting for 80% of all marine debris.
While many initiatives are in place to help us reduce our plastic footprint, we need more enterprising companies to come up with solutions – just like Project Blu.
This eco-friendly firm transforms pollutants into pet accessories that are built to last. And since Project Blu started up in May 2019, it has recycled more than six million plastic bottles into dog beds, collars, leads and toys.
The company was founded by Geryn Evans, who wanted to prove that sustainability can go hand-in-hand with style. After looking into green products for his own dog, Ralph, he found that few firms really cared about the planet – so set up his own.
Geryn teamed up with some good friends in Italy to produce his products and everything, from the fabric to the fillings, is made from recycled materials.
I treated Ernie to one of Project Blu’s cosy Nest beds and more than 180 bottles were used to create it. You would never be able to tell – but I guess that’s pretty much the point! The bed is so soft, Ernie climbed in as soon as I put it on the floor. It also has a double-sided base so we can mix up the colour scheme. And, unlike many other dog beds, the whole thing is machine washable at 30C.
Project Blu has a ‘circular business model’ which aims to help the environment while reducing poverty. So, for every item sold, it makes a donation to the Plastic Bank. This initiative encourages people in some of the poorest parts of the world to collect ocean-bound plastic. They can then exchange it for cash, digital currency, healthcare or school tuition.
Prices start from £5.99 for the toys, £10.99 for the collars and £19.99 for leashes. Dog beds start from £34.99. For more information about the range of eco-friendly products, visit the Project Blu website. Sign up to the mailing list to get 10% off your first purchase.