Plastic Bottles, Oyster Shells Become Sweaters by Massachusetts Firm

This Massachusetts-based firm makes sweaters out of used plastic bottles and empty oyster shells.

They originated from a neighborhood enterprise’s want to safeguard the shoreline they adore. Moreover, the supplies for the sweaters they create and promote are undoubtedly distinctive.

Oyster Shells and Plastic Bottles

Each time, in accordance with Lengthy Wharf Provide Co. founder Mike Lamagna, they’re astounded by the truth that every sweater within the “Seawell Assortment” makes use of roughly 4 to 5 oyster shells and eight plastic bottles.

Lamagna is keen about minimizing waste and preserving the oceans as a result of he grew up close to the water within the Newburyport space. With this background, he developed a trendy, sustainable clothes line.

Every bit, in accordance with him, can reseed as much as 30 oysters. The oysters, in flip, will naturally filter about 1,500 gallons of seawater every day.

As an alternative of the oyster shells ending up in landfills and changing into poisonous as a result of the calcium carbonate within the shells breaks down very slowly, they are going to be diverted into recycling and processed into sweaters.

Life Cycle of Oysters

Since 2008, Theresa Baybutt and the nonprofit group MA Oyster Challenge have been working to reintroduce recycled oyster shells to the water, and for quite a lot of causes.

Based on Baybutt, reintroducing it to the water additionally will increase the substrate accessible for these younger oysters to connect to and develop, which is advantageous to all events.

Oysters get hold of their meals by eradicating water-borne algae. As much as 50 gallons of seawater may be filtered day by day by a single grownup oyster within the wild. The oysters create a habitat for 200 extra marine species once they group collectively.

Nevertheless, local weather change has, partly, disrupted that cycle. Huge underwater reefs that defend the shores have been destroyed by warming waters, extra extreme winter storms, and larger boats. Nevertheless, organizations just like the MA Oyster Challenge work all yr lengthy to rebuild them.

Lengthy Wharf Provide Co. donates a portion of the cash from every sweater it sells to assist that trigger.

Cycle of a Sustainable Sweater

Based on Lamangna, the group should take away waste from the waste stream to provide a product that individuals will love.

After that, the communities will be capable of reseed oyster reefs.

And each buy permits this course of, in accordance with Lamangna

It additionally completes the circle for Lamangna, who has spent his whole life across the water, and for Lengthy Wharf as an organization, WCVB5 stories.

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Recycling Plastic Bottles within the US

By the tip of 2022, stories on the ineffectiveness of plastic recycling have made waves. The subject was even featured in NPR, with the non-profit media outlet reporting that solely 10% of plastics have ever been recycled.

Nevertheless, for some, 10% is an effective place to begin.

Lengthy Wharf Provide Co. is among the many firms that stand behind the idea of recycling.

There are additionally governing our bodies which can be optimistic about recycling, just like the State of Maine which detailed the recycling course of on its web site for its constituents.

Based on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, two kinds of plastic bottles may be recycled. The primary sort, PET #1 plastics, are plastic beverage bottles and may be made into carpets, backpacks, polar fleece, sleeping luggage, and ski jacket insulation. The second sort, HDPE #2 plastics, are plastic bottles for milk and juice, in addition to for detergent, and may be made into plastic lumber for decking and docks, play units, buckets, containers, frisbees, and stadium seats, and new bottles.

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