Did you know that SodaStream is the No. 1 sparkling water brand in the world in terms of volume consumption? PepsiCo recently acquired the company for $3.2 Billion.
For the company’s CEO, reducing the use of plastic bottles is more than a cause, it’s a religion. “More than 8 million tons of plastic goes into the ocean every year. This plastic doesn’t disappear. It breaks up into tiny particles, floats in the ocean, endangers marine life and ends up in our food chain,” said Daniel Birnbaum.
“We must all put our hands together to reduce the use of single-use plastic and commit ourselves to change our habits and go reusable,” he said.
To help do this, SodaStream unleashed its “Holy Turtle” – a massive ocean contraption designed to clean plastic waste from open waters. The “turtle” will be initially piloted in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Roatán, Honduras.
SodaStream’s Roatán initiative was inspired by a video filmed by Caroline Powers in October 2017 featured on BBC highlighting underwater photography of a floating trash patch off the Caribbean coast of Roatán. Moved by the disturbing video, Birnbaum, an experienced skipper and naval officer, lead a search for a solution to clean up this floating waste.
The plastic pollution collected by the “Holy Turtle” will be used to create an exhibition to raise awareness and educate consumers around the world toward reducing consumption of single-use plastic in all forms including plastic cups, straws, bags and bottles.
