Marine Life & Conservation
KUBI embraces change with 100% plastic-free packaging
The award-winning KUBI dryglove system has been at the forefront of dive exploration for over seven years, enabling cutting-edge technical and cave divers across the globe to push the very limits of exploration. Inspired by their pioneering spirit, KUBI has committed itself to an equally bold step forward – to rid its full range of products of all plastic packaging for good.
From 1st July 2018, all KUBI dry-glove systems and accessories will be supplied in 100% recyclable paper packaging.
By far the biggest change can be seen in the KUBI standard dry-glove kit which is now delivered free of all plastic packaging. KUBI has gone a lot further than simply substituting plastic bags for more environmentally-friendly alternatives – it’s gone back to the drawing board with a fundamental rethink of how best to deliver its popular dry-glove product in a way that considerably reduces the impact on the environment.
The outer plastic packaging bag, header card and staples have been removed completely and replaced with an attractive 100% recyclable cardboard swing tag attached directly to the handy zippered KUBI storage bag. Inside, core components are now contained within sealed paper bags.
The KUBI range of dry-glove accessories have undergone a similar rethink with the complete removal of all plastic packaging. All KUBI accessory products will be delivered in sealed paper bags conveniently colour-coded using water-based dyes. Core components including KUBI aluminium rings and sealing o-rings will be delivered in red paper bags whilst latex outer gloves will be delivered in black paper bags.
Completing the trio of KUBI accessory products, thermal glove liners will be packaged in warm-coloured orange paper bags, reflecting the warming nature of the gloves they contain. All paper bags used throughout the accessories range are 100% recyclable.
“Plastic pollution poses a very real threat to the environment and particularly the oceans. Clearly it’s an unsustainable situation and KUBI has taken the bold pro-active decision to make a stand. Working with key suppliers, we challenged ourselves why packaging was there, what purpose it had and what options could be available to deliver a more sustainable product. By removing the plastic traditionally used to package our dry-glove systems and accessories, we will be reducing not only our own but our customers’ impact on the environment. This is simply about doing the right thing. We are not saying it is perfect, but believe we have made a very big step in the right direction,” commented Peter Wilson of KUBI.
The problem of plastic pollution and its long-term impact on the environment has gained considerable media attention in recent months. Divers, in particular, are acutely aware of the issue and are keen to do their bit. Research shows that between 8 and 12 million tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans every year – once there, it poses a serious threat to countless marine animals, birds and other organisms. As time passes, this same plastic breaks down into tiny particles that absorb toxins released into the water through human activity. These so-called ‘microplastics’ contain high levels of toxins which can enter the food chain, resulting in a toxic timebomb.
Find out more about KUBI products at www.KUBIstore.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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