As part of its commitment to work towards more environmentally responsible choices in the design and production of products and packaging, Zagg, a manufacturer of mobile phone accessories, has announced a new material partnership with Eastman.
Under the agreement, Zagg will incorporate Eastman’s Tritan Renew copolyester into its Gear4 protective smartphone cases.
Eastman’s mass-balanced Tritan Renew is produced through a material-to-material molecular recycling technology developed by the company, in which traditional fossil feedstocks are replaced with hard-to-recycle plastic. The result is a PETG containing 50% certified recycled content that delivers the same durability and quality as conventional PETG. The recycled content is achieved by allocating the recycled waste plastic to Tritan Renew using a mass balance process certified by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC).
Zagg’s decision was based on both the realisation that current mechanical recycling programs can only accept certain types of plastic and usually result in materials that do not offer the same durability and clarity as the original materials, as well as a striving for more sustainable material choices.
“Our mission at Zagg is to protect better. That includes not only our mobile devices but also our environment and the world we live in,” said Brad Bell, senior vice president of global marketing for Zagg.
During fiscal year 2021, ZAGG’s efforts have helped divert 60 tons of plastic waste from landfills or the ocean, the equivalent of 5.86 million water bottles, and have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 51 metric tons compared to processes using fossil-based resources.
“Zagg with Tritan Renew allows users to feel confident their device is safe and they’re making a difference in the world by protecting our planet,” said Bell.