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28th January 2021
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Next Chapter of 'Vac from the Sea' initiative revealed
Electrolux has revealed five unique vacuum cleaners that have been made from plastic waste collected from the world's oceans. The event marks the next chapter and continuation of the 'Vac from the Sea' initiative that aims to raise awareness around ocean plastic waste and inspire consumers and industry to recycle more.
"I would like to thank everyone that has brought attention to the issue and express my deepest gratitude to our partners, for providing us with knowledge and working with us in gathering plastic from the world's oceans," says Hans Stråberg, CEO and President, Electrolux.
Each of the vacuum cleaner demos represents the ocean from which the plastic originates. The vacuums embody the plastic paradox: oceans are full of plastic waste, yet on land there is a shortage of recycled plastic for producing sustainable vacs. Today, Electrolux offers Green Range vacuum cleaners with up to 70% post-consumer recycled plastic. The ambition is to reach 100%.
"Our intention is to bring awareness to the situation and the need for better plastic karma. So far, over 60 million people have been reached and we are continuing the initiative following the great response," says Cecilia Nord, Vice President - Floor Care Sustainability & Environmental Affairs, Electrolux.
Electrolux is looking into auctioning out one vac, where the revenue goes to research. At the moment, the quality and the logistics needed for cleaning and sorting ocean plastic makes it difficult to use in mass production.
"Right now, only post consumer plastic on land meets our commercial safety and quality standards. However, as part of our commitment to researching new materials, we should explore how the ocean plastic might be used in the future, and one such step is to make a single concept vac that we can auction out," promises Cecilia.
The next step is to get the official tour schedule for the vacs ready. Dialogue with industry and environmental organisations has intensified following the wake of the campaign. Updates will be communicated continuously. Follow the development on
Each machine has its own story. For example Vac from the Sea - North Sea Edition (left) is made up from plastics salvaged from around the coast at Skagerrak, in Sweden, with the help of Sotenäs Municipality.
The plastic that was collected on the Bohuslän beaches in western Sweden consists largely of various rinse aid and detergent bottles, cans, plastic buckets, and all kinds of plastic packaging. The plastic has not been bleached in the same way as in the great oceans. It is still loud and strong in colour. A lot of the plastic was also drenched in spill oil when it was found.
The plastic was washed clean and cut in pieces. The bright coloured pieces were then punched into circular tokens. The tokens were then applied onto a fiberglass weave before being moulded into shape.
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5th November 2010