Birds are the messengers that tell us about the health of the planet. They are widespread and respond quickly to changes in the environment, they are our early-warning system for pressing concerns such as climate change. Unfortunately, they are polluted by our plastic waste.
“As of 2020, half of the species of seabirds have been reported to have ingested plastics. By 2050, 99% of seabird species will have ingested plastics”, says author Hideshige Takada (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology).
Besides from ingestion, almost all marine and freshwater birds are at risk of entanglement in plastic waste and other synthetic materials. A wide diversity of landbirds, from eagles to small finches, are also affected.
As many as 51 trillion microplastic particles — 500 times more than the stars in our galaxy — litter our oceans and seas, seriously threatening marine wildlife. A study published in the PNAS journal analysed nursing waters off the Hawaiian coast: it found that for each baby fish, there are seven bits of plastic.
A large-scale change is imperative, and it must happen soon.
How do we help?
To reduce plastic waste, avoiding that it ends up in nature, we at ecoBirdy created our own recycling process. We transform and re-design waste into something beautiful and appealing. The plastic particles that form our iconic speckled texture are clearly recognizable. This is done on purpose, to inspire future generations on the importance of making the most of our precious and limited resources.
ecoBirdy’s products are entirely realized in ecothylene®, our patented material 100% made from recycled plastic from discarded toys. This means that ecothylene® is also fully recyclable, encouraging the circular economy and showing how positive change can look attractive.
In 2021, we partnered with Mustela to recycle the used plastic packaging bottles into a limited-edition collection. We created an impactful storytelling campaign based on a tangible experience, inspiring customers with long-lasting circular products.
ecoBirdy is proud to work with commercial companies to provide its full circular solutions.
Sources:
https://www.birdlife.org/news/2019/01/04/why-we-need-birds-far-more-than-they-need-us/
https://www.biotechniques.com/plant-climate-science/seabirds-fooled-by-plastic-pollution/
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50375482
https://www.wwf.org.au/news/blogs/how-many-birds-die-from-plastic-pollution
https://www.birdrescue.org/our-work/research-and-innovation/how-plastics-affect-birds/
Photo credits:
Thomas Haeusler (cover)
UN Environment program
Marion McMurdo
