Urban Resource Group & Lush: Turning Ocean Plastic into Sustainable Packaging
Urban Resource Group, a specialized division of Canada Fibers Ltd., has partnered with ethical beauty brand Lush Cosmetics to give discarded ocean plastic a new life—as sustainable cosmetic containers. This project reflects a shared commitment to environmental innovation, material circularity, and low-impact product design.
Together, they’ve created a process that removes plastic from the marine ecosystem and reincorporates it into retail packaging, all while reducing emissions and avoiding virgin plastic production.
The Problem: Ocean Plastic Pollution
According to Ocean Conservancy, more than 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. Most of it never gets recovered—and much of it breaks down into microplastics, damaging ecosystems and entering the food chain.
Urban Resource Group identified a solution: build a supply chain that starts with ocean plastic and ends with a new, reusable product.
The Process: From Marine Waste to Market-Ready Containers
- Recovery
Plastic is sourced from coastal cleanups, marine collection programs, and post-consumer sources that would otherwise enter waterways. - Sorting & Processing
The plastic is delivered to Urban Polymers, where it’s washed, shredded, and sorted by resin type. - Pelletization
Clean flakes are melted and reformed into post-consumer resin (PCR) pellets—ready for molding. - Packaging Production
Lush uses these pellets to manufacture black cosmetic pots, giving ocean plastic a second, stylish life.
This end-to-end transformation is possible through the support of Urban Mining, MRF Complex, and the larger Canada Fibers infrastructure.
Why This Matters
This collaboration creates measurable environmental and social benefits:
- 🌊 Removes plastic from ocean-bound environments
- 🧴 Replaces virgin plastic with recycled material
- 🏭 Lowers lifecycle emissions for packaging
- 🌎 Supports circular economy principles
It also reflects growing consumer demand for brands with purpose, where sustainability isn’t a marketing buzzword but a product feature.
Lush’s Role in Responsible Packaging
Lush has long championed ethical sourcing and zero-waste operations. By integrating Canada Fibers’ ocean plastic into their supply chain, they’re:
- Meeting internal sustainability goals
- Avoiding international supply chain risks
- Supporting Canadian recycling and recovery infrastructure
You can see how this partnership fits into Canada’s broader sustainability shift in our Company History or through our Business Services offering.
Recommended Video
🎬 Lush: Turning Ocean Plastic into Packaging
A visual walkthrough of the full process—from cleanup to shelf.
A Scalable Model for Material Innovation
Urban Resource Group’s partnership with Lush isn’t just a one-off win—it’s a model for how local recovery systems can serve global brands. This project shows that environmental responsibility and manufacturing excellence are not mutually exclusive—they’re increasingly inseparable.
To explore how your brand or municipality can create real sustainability impact, explore Public Services or learn more about our material solutions through Urban Biofuels and Urban Garden Products.
