From the Beach in Medewi to a Sustainable Product – The Complete Journey of Our Ocean Plastic
Image credit: Photo by @afuafex
Image credit: Photo by @ayya.lens
Hand on heart: Have you ever wondered what actually happens after plastic is fished out of the ocean? Is it simply stored somewhere? Incinerated? Or actually processed into something new?
These questions are legitimate – and we want to answer them as honestly as we can today. Because transparency is extremely important to us at Oceanmata. No greenwashing, no empty promises. Instead: a look behind the scenes of our work in Medewi, Bali.
🌊 Step 1: Collecting – every day, in all weathers
Our 11-member team in Medewi, Bali, starts every morning with the same mission: collecting plastic before it disappears into the ocean. On beaches, in coastal communities, and along riverbanks – wherever plastic waste accumulates.
But we don't just clean up. We also focus on prevention: Our river barriers intercept plastic before it even reaches the sea. Because the best ocean plastic is the plastic that never becomes ocean plastic.
In addition: We provide free rubbish bins for locals in Medewi. Sounds simple? It is. But it's precisely these simple measures that make the biggest difference in everyday life.
To date, our team has collected over 300,000 kg of ocean plastic. That's 300 tons. Imagine: that's the weight of about 50 adult elephants. All plastic that is no longer swimming in the ocean. 💙
♻️ Step 2: Sorting – not all plastic is created equal
When the sacks full of plastic arrive at our workshop, the real work begins. Because plastic is not just plastic. There are different types of plastic – and not all of them can be recycled in the same way.
Our team sorts the collected material by hand according to plastic types: HDPE, LDPE, PP, and PS. Each type has different properties and requires its own processing. What we cannot recycle on-site goes to the recycling plant in Klungkung – nothing is simply thrown away.
🔧 Step 3: Shredding, Melting, Creating New Things
Now it gets exciting: The sorted plastic is shredded – meaning it's broken down into tiny pieces. These plastic flakes are then melted down in our Precious Plastic machines and processed into new pellets.
We can extrude about 5 kg of plastic per hour, which is up to 50 kg per day. Sounds like a small amount? Maybe. But every single kilogram is one less kilogram in the ocean. And from these pellets, real products are created – like our bracelets made from ocean plastic that you can wear on your wrist.
This is the core of our philosophy: seeing plastic not as waste, but as a valuable raw material. Waste becomes something beautiful – and with every product, the cycle closes a little more.
🤔 But wait a minute – is that really enough?
We want to be honest: No, a phone case or a bracelet alone won't save the world. We know that. But thousands of people taking small steps together can.
That's also why Dominik, our founder, gave up his secure job as an engineer at Airbus to found Oceanmata. When he first arrived in Medewi in 2020 and saw how much plastic was on the beaches, he knew: talking alone isn't enough. You have to act.
Today, 5% of our revenue flows directly back into cleanup efforts in Bali. No investors, no compromises – everything built from scratch.
"I can't deal with so many things that need my help. When you buy something from you, it's so easy. It costs a bit more, but I have a completely different feeling when it arrives." – Oceanmata Customer
🐢 What you can do specifically
Do you want to be part of this mission? Here are a few ways:
1. Choose products that make a difference. Every Oceanmata product collects at least 1 kg of plastic from the ocean. Whether it's a sustainable iPhone case, a Samsung case, or an Ocean Plastic bracelet – with every purchase, something concrete happens.
2. Give meaningful gifts. Our marine animal sponsorships are the perfect gift for anyone who loves animals and the ocean. With a certificate and regular updates.
3. Tell others about it. The more people understand that plastic can be a raw material instead of just waste, the more things change. Share this article, talk to friends about it – every conversation counts.
🌊 Join the fight for a plastic-free ocean
Every product = 1 kg less plastic in the sea. Discover our bestsellers and become part of the Oceanmata community.
The journey continues
Over 300,000 kg is a milestone – but by no means a reason to stop. Every day, new plastic ends up in our oceans. And every day, our team in Medewi gets up and goes out to collect it.
You've seen what we do with the collected plastic. No secrets, no tricks. Just honest work, day after day. And with every person who participates, this work becomes a little bit easier.
Want to learn more about our story? Then check out our story. Or read how we view the plastic problem in Germany and what initiatives against plastic pollution are doing worldwide.
If you have any questions – please feel free to contact us. We will answer everything. Promised. 💙
