ABOUT US

Transitioning from the traditional take-make-waste model to a cradle-to-cradle Circular Economy approach is more essential than ever. By deriving products from pre-existent recycled materials, we minimise the production of virgin materials and therefore the flow of non-useful waste. This approach will make managing waste easier as its expansion decreases, so long as individuals, organisations, businesses and governments all take responsibility for their involvement in this cycle, especially major producers. The MPS team is a strong advocate for this progression, as we are a founding member of the ANZPAC Plastics Pact and promote EPR (extended producer responsibility) in all our activities. 

MPS also recognises the severe climate footprint of plastic production. More than 8 million tonnes of plastic materials leaks into the ocean on a yearly basis and it is expected that by 2050, plastic consumption/production will make up 15% of the global carbon budget if things do not change. Because of this, we realise that the current plastic-based economy poses a threat to both terrestrial/aquatic environments and the planet’s climate as a whole. Action on plastic collection is critical and our organisation strives to play a role by promoting CDL (container deposit legislation) and community collection activities to minimise plastic waste and encourage re-use. 

Across the world plastic is one of the greatest threats to marine environments. It is projected that the quantity of ocean-bound plastic will match a third of the entire fish population’s weight by 2025. If nothing changes, by 2050 the combined weight of all ocean plastic will surpass fish entirely. The abundance of plastic in our oceans also compounds the struggles that coral reefs face, as it attracts heavy amounts of bacteria that sicken and harm coral, negatively impacting reef ecologies. The lack of degradation in plastic waste also proves to be problematic, as these products will persist and continue to cause harm unless we directly intervene through collection efforts. The MPS team has witnessed firsthand how problematic ocean-bound plastic is for our ecosystems, which has strengthened our commitment to resolving the presence of plastic waste in the world's oceans. 

The environmental impact of plastic also negatively impacts the terrestrial environment. Poorly managed plastic waste on terrestrial environments is another prevailing issue. The existence of microplastics and their associated chemicals within the air and ground is harmful to soil, sediment and living creatures including ourselves. The full extent of the damage these microplastics can cause is still being understood by scientific communities, but it has been found that they are easily capable of travelling by wind into communities all around the world. Excessive plastic waste is also a major issue for SIDS (Small Island Developing States) that are often reliant on tourism to support their economy, as it compromises the appeal and health of their natural environment.