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July 20, 2020 08:30 AM

Kickstart: From ghost nets to sandcastles

Rhoda Miel
Managing Editor
Plastics News Staff
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    From ghost nets to sandcastles

    While straws and water bottles may get more attention, environmental groups cite "ghost gear" — abandoned or lost fishing gear such as nets, buoys and ropes — as a major cause of plastic marine debris.

    As Steve Toloken writes, the U.S. has signed on to a program aimed at reducing the presence of this derelict gear in waterways. The Global Ghost Gear Initiative hopes that U.S. involvement, along with 15 other national governments and 85 organizations, can help tackle the issue. "Abandoned equipment like plastic fishing lines and netting ... accounts for between 46 and 70 percent of the macroplastics floating in the oceans, according to the Washington-based Ocean Conservancy, which administers the GGGI," Steve writes.

    A California-based startup is taking a different angle on the ghost gear issue. Pufferfish just launched sales of its premium sandcastle-building equipment line, which consists of heavy-duty shovels, scoops, a flexible bucket and other items to make massive sand sculptures.

    "Building sandcastles with the family can be a ton of fun," Lee Ott, founder of Pufferfish, said on a product launch on Kickstart. "But everything on the market is designed for toddlers and is mostly flimsy junk. We're making really awesome, thoughtfully designed, strong and durable tools that let dads and moms and everyone have an incredible time and enable them to build something amazing."

    And the Super Scoop, which can be used to shape the sand, is made with plastic recycled from ghost gear. The carrying bag also uses recycled plastic.

     

    Shields for Lyft drivers

    Ride-hailing company Lyft Inc. is getting into the polycarbonate protective shield business.

    The company said July 17 that it would provide 60,000 PC vehicle partition shields to its most active drivers and sell other barriers at cost later this summer.

    Reuters reported the company began designing the shields "several months ago" and has piloted use of them with a group of drivers.

    The shields are designed to be flexible enough to be used in a variety of vehicles and were developed to be priced at an affordable case that rideshare drivers can install themselves, Reuters wrote.

    Lyft began requiring passengers and drivers to use masks in May and has distributed sanitizing products and masks.

    Lyft will sell the partitions at about $50, which will be the production cost.

    Toy Hall of Fame nominations? I have a suggestion

    Time to revisit your childhood. Or maybe honor your child's favorite toy.

    Nominations for the inductees to the Toy Hall of Fame for 2020 at the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y., are open until the end of July.

    The Hall of Fame is a recognition for toys that are iconic, have been popular through generations, encourage discovery and have been an innovation to the toy industry. Past inductees include Lego, Barbie, Etch a Sketch, Magic 8 Ball, little green army men and even some nonplastic items like coloring books and swings.

    You can find the full list of Hall of Fame inductees and a link for nominations here.

    Know what's not on that list? Little Tikes Cozy Coupe. You know, if you're looking for a worthy nominee.

     

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