Ocean-bound plastic is plastic waste collected near coastlines and waterways in areas without reliable waste collection, before it can wash into the sea. We started using it in 2016, when we began working with the First Mile Coalition to turn plastic bottles collected in Haiti into material for Original HP ink cartridges. Today, ocean-bound plastic is part of the recycled content in the Sustainable Impact & Compliance progress report.
What Are Ocean-Bound Plastics?
NextWave Plastics defines ocean-bound plastic as plastic waste found within 31 miles (50 kilometers) of a coastline or waterway in an area without adequate waste collection. Plastic there is likely to reach the ocean if no one collects it. Once plastic is in the ocean, it's very hard to recover, so collecting it on land matters.
The scale of the problem is large. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that only 9% of plastic waste was ultimately recycled worldwide in 2019. Another 22% went to uncontrolled dumpsites, was burned in open pits, or leaked into the environment [1].
How HP Sources Ocean-Bound Plastic
Our ocean-bound plastic program started in Haiti, where limited waste collection meant plastic bottles often ended up in canals and along the shoreline. In 2016, we partnered with the First Mile Coalition and Thread International to turn bottles collected there into recycled plastic for Original HP ink cartridges [2].
In 2020, we invested $2 million in a plastic washing line in Haiti. It was built to produce cleaner, higher-quality recycled plastic locally for use in more HP products [3].
[SI&C: current, verbatim figure for ocean-bound plastic used in HP products to date, with footnote]
[SI&C: current sourcing regions, if HP now sources ocean-bound plastic outside Haiti]
How the Program Supports Local Communities
Collecting ocean-bound plastic can also create income for the people who gather it. Through our partners in Haiti, the program has supported paid collection work along with education and job training.
[SI&C: current, verbatim figures for income opportunities and education programs, with footnote]
Working With NextWave Plastics
We're a member of NextWave Plastics, a consortium of companies convened by Lonely Whale to build ocean-bound plastic supply chains. Members include companies across industries, such as IKEA and General Motors. Together, members work toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water.
Discover how HP is working with NextWave
What You Can Do About Plastic Waste
You can help keep plastic out of waterways too:
- Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying single-use bottles
- Check your local recycling rules so plastics end up in the right bin
- Return used HP ink and toner cartridges through HP Planet Partners. See our guide on how to recycle HP ink and toner cartridges
- Recycle old laptops and desktops the right way with our guide to How to Recycle Your Old Laptop
- When you shop, look for products that state their recycled content as a specific percentage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ocean-bound plastic?
Ocean-bound plastic is plastic waste found within 31 miles (50 kilometers) of a coastline or waterway, in an area without adequate waste collection, that is likely to reach the ocean if it isn't collected.
Where does HP get ocean-bound plastic?
HP began sourcing ocean-bound plastic in Haiti in 2016 through a partnership with the First Mile Coalition, starting with plastic bottles recycled into Original HP ink cartridges.
Is ocean-bound plastic the same as ocean plastic?
Ocean-bound plastic is not the same as ocean plastic. Ocean-bound plastic is collected on land near coastlines and waterways before it reaches the sea. Ocean plastic has already entered the ocean and is much harder to recover.
