Symbolically, our products stand for clean oceans and a responsible use of plastic. That's why we not only collect the Ocean Impact Plastic that we recycle for the production of our travel and everyday companions, but also ensure that the plastics that cannot be used are recycled appropriately. Together with our customers, we ensure that they never end up in the ocean again, rethink circular economy and actively fight for the conservation of our environment. With the goal of a circular economy, our backpacks are made of recycled materials and are particularly durable. They consciously forgo the need for constant new collection cycles and pursue a timeless, minimalist design language. Instead of following seasonal trends, our customers can rely on them for as long as possible. And if something does need to be repaired, you can take advantage of the free repair service. The aim is to create greater awareness worldwide – both with our clean-up program and on-site information activities in Indonesia, but also by raising people's awareness of plastic recycling worldwide. "Create an Impact" – we encourage people to reflect, to question their own actions and to work together to bring about positive change.

With the GOT BAG clean-up program off the North coast of Java, Indonesia, more than 2,000 local participants collect plastic from coastal waters, mangrove forests and the delta region of the nearby rivers. The Ocean Impact Plastic collected in the process is therefore no longer posing a threat to the oceans. The PET portion of the Ocean Impact Plastic is cleaned, sorted and pressed into pellets – it makes up the raw material of GOT BAG products. The other types of plastic that cannot be recycled to date are fed into suitable recycling solutions. The pellets are shipped to China for production, where they are processed into robust yarn for your GOT BAG.

The total amount of Ocean Impact Plastic we have collected so far is on display through a live tracker on our website. We have been documenting the performance of our clean-up program in Indonesia together with the Berlin-based start-up "Cleanhub" in order to transparently disclose the amount of plastic collected as well as its composition and to be able to report its exact origin.

So far, we can only use the PET part of the collected Ocean Impact Plastic for the production of your GOT BAG. Of course, the other types of plastic do not end up back in the ocean: With our own Clean-up program in Indonesia, we ensure that all plastic recovered is fed into suitable recycling solutions. In addition, we are constantly working with our research partners to be able to independently process more and more of it into new products in the future.

Since all our products are made from recycled materials, there can always be small variations in structure and color. This is not proof of a lack of quality, but merely the result that we actually use recycled, independently collected Ocean Impact Plastic for production. Still, the ambition obviously is to produce a flawless product, and we are working diligently to fix any minor flaws affecting the material's structure. However, irregularities can be smoothed out at home with a damp microfiber cloth.

The pellets made from Ocean Impact Plastic are transported by ship from Indonesia to China for further processing. Locally, we still rely on road transport, but we are also looking for more environmentally friendly alternatives. The finished goods are transported from China to Germany and the USA by ship. There, the products are shipped in reusable and recyclable packaging made from 100% recycled materials.

Even though we could basically make clothes made of Ocean Impact Plastic, we have consciously refrained from doing so so far. The reason for this is that we are not yet able to prevent microplastics from detaching from your product during washing, thus doing more harm than good. 

Every wash cycle releases tiny plastic particles from synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyethylene and elastane, which is subsequently washed away into the environment. With lower washing temperatures and shorter wash cycles, fewer particles are released, which end up as microplastics in wastewater and the ocean. Nevertheless, we recommend that you choose clothes made of natural fibers whenever possible and to consciously wash them.