Use natural water-based dyes

Bags filled with colourful natural dyes

Starlite now uses a custom engineered water-based dye and resin swirl optic to remove the use of polyurethane paint, which is a liquid plastic coating. This helps minimise the harmful toxics found in paint from being released into the oceans through paint chips.

In a study analysing microplastic samples in South Korea, scientists found that 81% of the polymers originated from paints and the fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) matrix used on ships.

Source

Benefits

  • Using natural dyes limits the impact of toxic contact throughout the supply chain
  • Eliminates the risk of plastic and toxic transfer into the environment

Challenges

  • Less durable and doesn't last as long as synthetic paints
  • Natural dyes are more expensive
  • Require larger quantities to create the same depth in colour

Making a difference

Starlite's custom engineered water-based dye and resin swirl optic eliminates the need to use paint and reduces paint chips.

There are hundreds of other ways to solve plastic pollution

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Photo Credit: Rishi Deep