FAQs

Why ocean plastic?

Every year 8 million metric tonnes of plastic enters the worlds oceans, by 2050 ocean plastic will outweigh fish. Once there it breaks down into tiny particles called micro-plastic, these particles enter the food chain simultaneously poisoning our food supplies and damaging marine eco-systems.

This horrific amount of plastic that is entering our oceans has to stop. If oceanic ecosystems collapse and the oxygen producing phytoplankton that give us our every second breath die, it’s simple - no oceans no air (NONA).

The ocean plastic we use is sourced as a result of an interception program in place across various ports that reimburses fisherman for worn-out fishing gear. Your investment in NONA helps to support the circular economies dedicated to intercepting plastic, before it enters the ocean.

Why the humble clothespin?

Because it’s a useful, everyday product! There are so many ecological issues that need addressing regarding clothing and laundry, from fast fashion to detergents and water consumption …and of course the CO2 emissions from unnecessary tumble drying. If we can prevent plastic from entering the ocean, encourage line-drying (to reduce CO2), and highlight a very serious ecological issue then we’ve made a change, even if it is small - for now.
 

But shouldn’t we move completely away from plastic?

In an ideal world yes, however plastics have been a wonderful invention. They have allowed us to manufacture products and devices that would otherwise not be possible. From the delicate keypad I am typing on right now, through to medical devices that save lives - just try and imagine a world without any plastic!

Our issue to date has largely been a reluctance to design with end-of-life in mind or the implementation of full product lifecycle systems in order to retrieve and recycle plastics. NONA's aim right now is to find a use for recycled plastic and in this way we can support the emerging circular economies that are dedicated to intercepting plastic before it enters out oceans.

 

Why is the NONA Ocean Clothespin a better product?

Well apart from the ecological benefits of it being manufactured from plastic that might otherwise end up in the ocean, the NONA Ocean Clothespin has been designed to last. The simple mono-form design means that there are no moving parts to break, no springs to malfunction, it won’t rust, mould, crack or degrade - it should last a very long time. It works by utilising the natural flexibility of the material, the design is functional simplicity. Moreover because it is manufactured out of a single material, it can, should it need to be, once again recycled.