Zipper manufacturer YKK has launched a new collection, Natulon Ocean Sourced, which are zippers made from plastic recovered from the ocean. The collection is sourced from plastic waste within 50km of Sri Lanka’s coastline and aims to address the problem of marine plastic.

The company says the collection is indistinguishable from zippers made of virgin polyester and offers the same strength, durability and functionality of conventional zippers. YKK Corp global marketing VP, Takashi Tsukumo, says that the upcycling of ocean-bound plastic into the zippers emits less CO2 and requires less energy to produce than those made out of virgin polyester.

The collection also works with the company’s goal of further reducing carbon emissions in its manufacturing process. To date it has achieved an 8 percent global reduction in emissions at its production sites since 2013. The zippers will be available for purchase in Spring 2020 and will debut at ISPO Munich, Germany, Jan. 26-29, and The Outdoor Retailer and Snow Show in Denver, Co., Jan. 29-31.