Our commitment.
Zero Waste.Ditch the plastic
A fitppl initiative to eliminate plastic in products
Plastic pollution is a crisis, so we've been committed to removing it from all our products since day one.
Our scoops are 100% plastic-free, biodegradable, and made from plant fiber derived from leftover sugarcane. And our packaging? It’s 100% compostable.
WHY THIS MATTERS
8,000,000 METRIC TONS OF PLASTIC DUMPED INTO WORLD'S OCEANS EACH YEAR
46,000 PIECES OF PLASTIC FLOATING IN EACH SQUARE MILE OF OUR OCEANS
80% OF POLLUTION ENTERS THE OCEANS FROM LAND
93 % OF AMERICANS AGE SIX OR OLDER TEST POSITIVE FOR BPA
A complex issue
1. WHAT'S THE ISSUE WITH PLASTIC?
Each year, humans produce nearly 300 million tons of plastic. The average American alone throws away about 185 pounds of plastic annually. Half of all plastic consumed is single use. That’s enough to circle the earth four times. Researchers estimate that between 15-40% of plastic waste ends up in the oceans each year, amounting to 4.8 million metric tons. Some believe the true figure could be as high as 12.7 million metric tons, which is projected to double by 2025. One metric ton is equivalent to 2,205 pounds. Despite all this, we only manage to recover 5% of the plastics we produce. Conventional plastics don’t biodegrade, so every piece ever made still exists in landfills, oceans, or as litter.
2. WHERE DOES IT END UP?
A significant portion of plastic ends up in landfills, but the greater environmental impact comes from plastic pollution that finds its way into our waterways and oceans. Plastic doesn’t break down into simpler compounds, it just photodegrades into smaller pieces called nurdles. Nearly 90% of all trash floating in the ocean is plastic, with an estimated 46,000 large plastic items per square mile. The largest garbage dump in the world is a floating mass known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is roughly twice the size of Texas and located in a high-pressure area between Hawaii and California. This patch is caused by an oceanographic gyre, a system of rotating currents that exist in five locations around the world and trap garbage. Microplastic nurdles, which are often too small to see with the naked eye, make up the majority of these garbage patches and are frequently mistaken for food by marine life, leading to their consumption and eventually, our own.
3. WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM FOR OUR OCEANS?
Plastic pollution is causing devastating effects on marine life. Every year, approximately 100,000 sea creatures die from entanglement in plastic, and many more suffer from ingestion. Many species of seabirds, cetaceans, and all sea turtle species have been found with plastic in or around their bodies. Studies have shown that around two-thirds of fish species have ingested plastic, which releases chemicals that can work their way up the food chain and eventually affect humans. The widespread use of plastics, particularly single-use items, has led to an overwhelming amount of plastic entering our oceans and endangering marine life. In addition, plastic pollution can have far-reaching impacts on the health of people, as toxic chemicals from plastic can leach into the bodies of those who consume contaminated fish. It is crucial that we take action to reduce our plastic consumption and properly dispose of plastic to protect both the environment and our own health.
4. WHAT ABOUT RECYCLING?
Only a small portion of plastic is actually recycled, with current recovery rates hovering around 5%. Sorting is a crucial step in the recycling process, but it’s often manual and error-prone, or relies on automated technology that can’t identify all the additives in different types of plastic. As a result, much of the plastic we try to recycle ends up in landfills or the ocean. PETE and HDPE are the most commonly recycled plastics, found in items like soda bottles and milk jugs, but not all #1 and #2 containers are actually recycled. The prevalence of plastic formulations also makes sorting difficult. It’s a complex issue, but the fact remains that plastic waste is a major problem and we need to find more effective solutions to recycle and repurpose it.
5. WHAT IS FITPPL DOING ABOUT IT?
At fitppl, we recognize that plastics have become a necessary, but often harmful, part of our modern society. While they are the cheapest way to produce packaging, we are committed to finding ways to reduce or eliminate our use of plastic altogether. This is why we never use plastic tubs or scoops in our products, and why our packaging is 100% compostable. We also actively work to make a positive impact in our communities by hosting cleanups and spreading awareness about the impact of plastic pollution. We believe that by taking small steps towards authentic sustainability, we can make a big difference in protecting the environment.
OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS MORE PLASTIC WAS PRODUCED THAN THE ENTIRE 20TH CENTURY.
ALMOST EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF PLASTIC EVER CREATED STILL EXIST.
WHAT ELSE WE'RE DOING ABOUT IT
We offset the waste generated by our industry through organizing clean-up events and collaborating with various organizations. Our goal is not only to cleanup our community but also to inspire others to minimize their waste footprint and contribute positively to the environment.