Ropes-to-pots plan bears fruit for Gael Force
Inverness-based fish farming supplier Gael Force Group has begun partnering with a business to turn waste from its moorings production into recyclable garden products.
Ocean Plastic Pots transforms raw material from the excess tail-end rope offcuts into distinctively coloured plant pots that can be used indoors and outdoors. The sustainable pots are designed in Glasgow and manufactured in Scotland and are the brainchild of former commercial diver Ally Mitchell.
The idea to team up with Ocean Plastic Pots came from Gael Force’s warehouse supervisor Dougie Grant, who submitted the proposal through the company’s employee idea forum, “Force for Good”.
SeaQureLine
Alongside the moorings production team, he had been considering ways in which surplus materials from production jobs could be diverted away from traditional methods of waste disposal.
Grant identified an opportunity for recycling the rope offcuts when he saw Ocean Plastic Pots on television and explored the option further.
As a result, Ocean Plastic Pots has produced its first batch of “Burton” pots made from Gael Force’s yellow coloured SeaQureLine. The manufacturing technique means that each pot is different, but all have a solid yellow flat matt colour.
Further initiatives
Gael Force Group marketing manager Marc Wilson said: “Leftover material from our production is inevitable, just like it is in construction, engineering, or other manufacturing.
“In partnership with Ocean Plastic Pots and through the determination of our team to help minimise the impact our operations have on the environment, we have found a way in which we can help create a circular economy.”
Gael Force said it is exploring further initiatives to extend its recycling activities from production involving rope and netting offcuts.
The Burton Yellow Pot from Ocean Plastic Pots is available to buy online from oceanplasticpots.com.
