At Marlow Ropes we are turning the tide on how we manufacture – the energy we use, the materials we source and the waste we produce. As a leading manufacturer, we are ensuring that we operate an efficient and ethical plant, enabling a sustainable future for manufacturing in the UK.
Eco-conscious products
As a rope-maker, we recognise that our activities will have an effect on both the local and global environment and we are committed to ensuring that the negative effect is minimised as far as is practical. With this in mind, we are bringing together our sustainability actions and the eco-conscious products we are developing under the one BLUE OCEAN® brand.
Sustainably sourced fibers
Since 2018, we have been developing products using sustainably sourced fibers in all of our standard synthetic rope ranges. Most significantly we are reducing reliance on fossil fuels by using fibers either manufactured from waste plastic or natural sources in the Leisure Marine and Arboriculture markets.
Environmentally Conscious
Overall, the BLUE OCEAN® brand is our mark of sustainability and assures our customers, end-users, suppliers and employees of the ongoing commitment and mission to conduct our operations and production within an environmentally conscious measured framework.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT BLUE OCEAN® MEANS TO US HERE AT MARLOW ROPES, AND TO YOU - OUR CUSTOMERS & END USERS
Download our Blue Ocean ManifestoEnvironmental Policy
Marlow Ropes Ltd recognises that its activities will have an effect on both the local and global environment. Marlow is fully committed to ensuring that the negative effect is minimised as far as is practical.
To achieve this Marlow Ropes will:
- As a minimum requirement, comply with all relevant environmental legislation.
- Minimise waste and make the most efficient use of resources throughout all areas of the business.
- Identify areas where the company’s activities influence the environment and establish actions and targets to reduce the negative impact of these activities.
- Monitor key performance indicators in waste, resource use and transport. These will be periodically reviewed and targets set so as to continuously improve.
- Review the environmental commitment of the supply chain with the aim of ensuring the company uses suppliers that meet Marlow’s own standards wherever practical.
- Consider all materials used in production to ensure the company’s products have the minimum impact on the environment over their entire life cycle.
- Invest in the most efficient production machines and processes taking into account the full life cycle of the equipment.
- Ensure all employees of the company are proactive in implementing this policy through training and communication.
- Further our commitment to a circular economy by educating our customers and end users and aligning ourselves with related organisations, to encourage action after the life of the product has ended through our re-use, re-purpose & recycle commitment.
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its continuing effectiveness.
Environmental Objectives
In line with Marlow’s Environmental Policy, Marlow Ropes have set the following objectives:
- Achieve ISO14001:2015 (for effective environmental management systems) accreditation by August 2020.
- Reduce waste yarn from the production process to less than 3% of the total material used. Measured and reported on monthly.
- Ensure that at least 50% of the fiber waste is recycled. Measured and reported on monthly.
- Remove all single use plastic packaging from the standard product range (in Phase 1) and the wider use of plastic packaging in shipping and delivery (in Phase 2). Progress to be reported on monthly. For further information about our commitment to responsible packaging and recycling, click here.
- Ensure all card and paper used is sustainably sourced and FSC certified. Progress to be reported on monthly.
- By the end of 2020, either as part of an industry collective or in our own right, to have put in place recycling initiatives for end of life rope, for both Marlow and end users.
Packaging & Recycling
Marlow is an eco-conscious manufacturer and we take pride in using packaging materials that can be reused, repurposed or recycled in line with our environmental objectives and mission to reduce waste destined for landfills or the oceans.
All our packaging components can be disposed of responsibly.
The following packaging components used to protect our products or safely transport them on pallets are categorised according to the recycling codes below. We encourage and urge all our customers to reuse, repurpose or recycle as follows:
- Reels: Made either from Cardboard/Steel, Plywood/Steel, or 100% Plywood. All types can be re-used, repurposed or recycled.
- Shrinkwrap (clear or black): Recycle as No 4 LDPE (Low density Polyethylene)
- Green pallet strapping: Recycle as No 1 PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate)
- Wooden pallet: Reuse if possible, recycle in wooden waste
- Cardboard boxes: Reuse if possible, recycle in cardboard waste
- All our brown board packaging is FSC certified and can be recycled in cardboard waste. This includes our Blue Ocean Dockline boxes, Draco lowering lines and Arborist climbing line boxes.
- All card headers can be recycled in cardboard/paper waste.
- In 2020, all plastic tube packaging that is currently used to protect Leisure Marine small accessories and Arboriculture small cords is being switched over to a 100% recyclable polyethylene material made from sugar cane starch waste. This can be recycled as No 4 LDPE (Low density Polyethylene)
- Catalogues & brochures are printed on uncoated FSC certified paper and can be recycled in paper waste after the staples have been removed.
For further information, or if you have any queries on this subject please get in touch with our Technical department.
