It was Earth Day on 22nd April, a day to celebrate our wonderful planet and the amazing work people are doing to protect it. However, sustainability initiatives from some companies understandably attract criticism as being nothing more than ‘greenwashing’ because the activities they publicise are superficial rather than being an intrinsic part of their operations.
FRSH Scents is different, as from our inception we have ensured we had practices and programs in place to not only minimise our impact on the environment but also proactively give back to help become a net positive.
That’s why from day 1, FRSH Scents partnered with Plastic Bank and integrated their offset programme into our product range, making our air fresheners the first and only plastic neutral products in the market.
There are more than 171 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the world’s oceans.
Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down and is often consumed by fish and sea animals the world over. If action isn’t taken right now, this figure could triple by 2040. Partnering with Plastic Bank helps us do our part in tackling this growing problem.
Who are Plastic Bank and what do they do?
Plastic Bank is at the forefront of the war on plastic waste with a vision of "a wasteless world in which we seek real value, work together and serve life itself". It was founded in 2013 by David Katz and Shaun Frankson with a core mission to stop ocean-bound plastic before it enters the sea. Stopping at the source reduces the growing number of ocean plastic and supports local enterprises.
Plastic Bank helps empower local entrepreneurs to develop collection branches. The more plastic that is collected and recycled, the more those communities can reap benefits by way of health, work and life insurance or digital connectivity and fintech services.
This means that the work that Plastic Bank is doing not only helps to solve the plastic issues we face but also helps the communities on the coastlines on the frontline of the problem. Helping people out of poverty, creating opportunities and giving hope for a way up and a way out.
So, how are FRSH Scents products Plastic Neutral?
Each FRSH Scents product sold includes a small offset contribution that is paid to Plastic Bank. These funds are used to pay collectors who gather waste plastic before it enters the ocean and deposit it at their local Plastic Bank. Plastic Bank then recycles the plastic so it can be used to make other products.
On average each FRSH Scents products pays for the equivalent of three plastic water bottles to be collected and recycled. As the amount of plastic we use in producing each product is far less than the amount we pay to be collected and recycled, this means every FRSH Scents product is Certified Plastic Neutral.
In addition, we minimise the use of plastic in our products, and use recycled paper in our packaging, making our products as sustainable as possible.
Making our products Plastic Neutral requires a significant financial commitment each year but we are proud to have been Plastic Neutral from day 1 and to lead the way in our market when it comes to sustainability.
When you buy a FRSH Scents product, you are helping to reduce poverty and waste.
Sounds great! I’ve bought my FRSH Scents product, so what happens now?
1: A donation is made to Plastic Bank by FRSH Scents
2: The money goes to the collection centers throughout the world in coastline communities
3: When an individual collects waste plastic from their community and deposit it at their Plastic Bank collection centre, they are paid based on the weight of plastic they have collected. They have the option to be paid in their local currency or with products and services that help improve their quality of life and meet their day-to-day needs.
So every day is Earth Day at Plastic Bank. Make FRSH Scents your car air freshener of choice and help us continue to reduce plastic waste and poverty with every purchase
.