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Our packaging is made from recycled ocean plastic. But what does that actually mean? Where does the plastic come from? Does it really make a difference? We want to answer those questions honestly, because we believe you deserve more than a marketing tactic, although this feature does really differentiate us from many other beauty brands out there.
Okay, So What Exactly Is Ocean Plastic?
Ocean plastic refers to plastic waste that has either already entered the ocean or is at serious risk of doing so — collected from coastlines, waterways, and communities within close proximity to the water. It’s not just trash picked off a beach (though that’s part of it). It also includes plastic recovered from rivers and coastal areas before it reaches the open sea.
What is plastic in the ocean bad?
It's actually very difficult to collect plastic once it enters the ocean waters. Because of the saltwater and the sun, plastics break down super fast in ocean water, which is how we get microplastics. Those microplastics end up killing thousands of animals because many of them mistake it for food.
Here in coastal Rhode Island, this hits close to home. We see firsthand what plastic pollution does to local shorelines, marine ecosystems, and the beauty of the coast we love. Using ocean-bound and ocean-recovered plastic in our packaging is our way of fighting back.
How Recycled Ocean Plastic Becomes Our Packaging
The journey from ocean-bound waste to a Solette bottle is more involved than it might seem. That is why we have partnered with Oceanworks, a company devoted to the collection of ocean bound plastic that can be repurposed into new packaging, like our body care containers. Here’s a simple version of how the jar you are holding in our hand came to be:
- Collection: Plastic waste is gathered from coastlines, rivers, and ocean-adjacent communities by certified cleanup organizations and collection programs.
- Sorting & Cleaning: The collected material is cleaned, sorted by plastic type, and processed to remove contaminants.
- Processing: The cleaned plastic is melted down and reformed into resin pellets or sheets that can be used in manufacturing.
- Manufacturing: Those materials are then used to create our bottles and containers — the same ones that hold your Solette products.
Why This Matters to Us as a Rhode Island Brand
Solette lives near the coast. The ocean isn’t just a backdrop for us — it’s the inspiration behind everything we do. We didn't want to just become another beauty brand in a sea of sameness so when we planned our launch, we put just as much effort into the packaging as we did for our formulas.
When we decided to build Solette, choosing sustainable packaging wasn’t a marketing decision. It was the only option that felt aligned with who we are. We couldn’t make clean, thoughtful, vegan body care products and then ship them in packaging that contributes to pollution and the damage to our ocean friends. It had to be consistent all the way through.
What You Can Do With Your Solette Packaging
We’ve done our part on the production side — here’s how you can close the loop:
- Rinse and recycle: Our packaging is recyclable. Give it a quick rinse before tossing it in your recycling bin.
- Reuse: Many of our containers make great travel storage or refill vessels. Get creative.
- Talk about us: Every time someone chooses a brand with sustainable packaging, it sends a signal to the industry. Share why you choose Solette.
- Give the gift of sustainability: We have designed our products to be sustainable, but also beautiful. Our ethos is rooted in self-care and we believe everyone needs a reminder to slow down and take care of themselves. Solette products are the perfect way to gift that.
This is Our Why
Recycled ocean plastic packaging is one piece of a bigger commitment we’ve made to our customers, our community, and our coast. As we grow and scale our business, we will always put the health of the planet on our list of priorities. We are small, so we cannot be perfect all the time, but we can promise that this topic is not just for a buzzy marketing tactic. It's our passion.
Shop our entire line of sustainable body care products including our body washes, body scrubs, and body butters at our online store.
Shop All Solette body care products here
