BANTAM Materials, the supplier of Prevented Ocean Plastic, has announced it is to join the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI).
The firm – which works with the likes of Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Lidl – said it comes as it looks to drive up standards for recycled packaging products.
As members of ETI, Bantam Materials will apply an internationally recognised framework to its supply chain structure, aligning with best practice within ethical trade. The firm will also share insights from its own work, as well as have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with fellow members of ETI.
Bantam Materials’ main product is Prevented Ocean Plastic, which is a certified recycled plastic that has been collected from coastal areas in developing countries that are at risk of ocean plastic pollution. In addition to meeting all regulatory health and safety standards, each batch of Prevented Ocean Plastic is traceable back to source which means it can be reliably verified as meeting the recognised criteria for being ‘ocean-bound’.
The firm delivered over 10,000 tonnes of Prevented Ocean Plastic into the market in 2020, in what it said makes it the largest programme of its kind – with it already passing the 20,000 tonne mark this year (2021).
It added that establishing the scheme brought a ‘number of challenges’, with unique methodologies being created to fit the ocean-bound industry, and the creation of ‘strong’ supplier relationships to uphold standards being required.
Raffi Schieir, director of Bantam Materials, said: “Bantam Materials has always been committed to ensuring that Prevented Ocean Plastic is best-in-class recycled ocean bound plastic, pushing up standards wherever necessary. Our ETI membership is the latest step in our journey and comes in recognition that there is an urgent need to protect bottle collectors across developing countries as demand for recycled plastic builds, with each geographic location presenting its own unique challenges.”
Kate Lewis, head of membership at ETI, added, “We are delighted to welcome Bantam Materials to Foundation membership at ETI. Bantam Materials brings a new emerging sector to ETI and we look forward to working with Bantam to further develop their work in ethical trade and human rights. This move sends an important signal to others in this sector about the importance of facing the issues head on and the advantages of working collaboratively with other sectors and peers.”
Packaging Scotland’s October edition will feature an exclusive interview with Raffi Schieir on the story behind Prevented Ocean Plastic, how the industry reacted and Bantam Materials’ future plans.
