Packaging Matters: Landfill-biodegradable & PCR. Our commitment to a cleaner planet.

At Surfmud, we strive to protect both your skin and the planet. That’s why our 125g and 50g sunscreen tubes are crafted with cutting-edge landfill-biodegradable plastics, made from 35% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material, and are 100% recyclable.

While these choices come at a higher production cost compared to competitors using standard plastics, we’re committed to doing the right thing for the environment - especially our marine ecosystems.

Landfill-biodegradable: A breakthrough in plastic waste management

Traditional plastics persist in the environment for centuries, contributing to the growing plastic pollution crisis. Our landfill-biodegradable plastics are different. Special additives in the material enable the plastic to fully biodegrade in anaerobic landfill conditions within 6-8 years, compared to hundreds of years for conventional plastics. Our tubes have been independently tested over 410 days in accordance with ASTM D5988 (considered to be a true landfill test), ASTM D5511 and ASTM D5526.

Here’s how they work:

1. Microbial breakdown: Additives in the plastic attract landfill-specific microbes that break down the polymer chains.
2. Byproducts: The plastic is converted into inert humus (soil) and biogases like methane, which can often be captured for energy.
3. Complete degradation: Unlike other plastics that leave harmful microplastics behind, our tubes decompose fully, leaving no toxic residues.

This technology ensures that even if a Surfmud tube ends up in a landfill, it will have a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

PCR Plastics: Reducing waste, Conserving resources

PCR plastics are made from recycled post-consumer waste, giving used materials a second life. By incorporating 35% PCR material into our tubes:

• We reduce the demand for virgin plastics, conserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• We divert waste from landfills, creating a circular economy that reuses materials rather than discarding them.

100% Recyclable—But let’s talk practicalities

Like most plastics, Surfmud tubes are 100% recyclable. However, recycling sunscreen and cosmetic tubes comes with challenges:

1. Cleaning is essential: Tubes must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid contamination in the recycling stream. Who actually does this? Tubes with residue care being rejected at recycling facilities and end up in landfill.
2. Sorting challenges: Small, flexible plastics like tubes can be difficult to sort at facilities, increasing the likelihood of them being discarded rather than recycled.
3. Facility limitations: Not all local recycling programs are equipped to handle certain plastics, including cosmetic tubes, due to a lack of specialised infrastructure. As a result, often they end up in landfill

We encourage consumers to properly clean and recycle their used Surfmud tubes and caps whenever possible to give them the best chance of re-entering the recycling stream.

Tackling plastic pollution in the oceans

Plastic pollution is devastating our oceans, with an estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste entering marine environments each year, life such as turtles, seabirds, and fish often mistake plastic for food, leading to ingestion, entanglement, and death. Additionally, microplastics infiltrate ecosystems and pose long-term risks to biodiversity and human health .

By using  packaging that biodegrades in landfill and reduces reliance on virgin plastics, Surfmud is helping tackle this crisis head-on.

Balancing costs and conservation

Using landfill-biodegradable plastics, PCR material inputs, increases our production costs. These measures demand more resources and specialised processes compared to standard, off-the-shelf plastics used by other brands. But at Surfmud, we believe these are costs worth bearing to protect the environment - especially the marine ecosystems we care so deeply about.

Why Surfmud packaging matters

• Landfill Biodegradable: Breaks down fully within 6-8 years in landfill conditions.
• 35% PCR Material: Reduces waste and promotes a circular economy.
• 100% Recyclable: Gives consumers the opportunity to responsibly dispose of packaging.

Choosing Surfmud means choosing sustainability without compromising on quality or performance. Protect your skin - and the plane - with a product designed for ocean adventurers.

References

1. United Nations. Plastic Pollution Facts and Figures. Retrieved from UNEP
2. National Geographic. Plastic Pollution. Retrieved from National Geographic
3. WWF. Plastic In the Ocean. Retrieved from WWF
4. Packaging. Biodegradable in Landfill Packaging. Retrieved from WT Packaging.
5. Environmental Protection Agency. Recycling Basics. Retrieved from EPA

Protecting your skin shouldn’t cost the planet. With Surfmud, you get superior sun protection in packaging designed to care for the Earth and its oceans.