How Many Plastic Bottles Have We Recycled? Our Yearly Impact Round-Up

January is a time for reflection - on where we’ve been, what we’ve achieved, and where we’re heading next. At Original Duckhead, sustainability isn’t a side project or a marketing message - it’s the foundation of everything we do.

As we step into 2026, we wanted to take a moment to share something we’re incredibly proud of: the real, measurable impact behind our mission.

In 2025 alone, we recycled 2,702,667 plastic bottles into our umbrellas and tote bags.


And since we began, Original Duckhead has recycled a total of 8,878,935 plastic bottles.

This is what progress looks like - one thoughtfully designed product at a time.

Why Plastic Bottles?

Plastic pollution remains one of the most urgent environmental challenges we face. Millions of plastic bottles are discarded every day, many ending up in landfill or the ocean.

From the very beginning, Original Duckhead was founded to challenge the throwaway culture of the umbrella industry - where over 1 billion umbrellas are discarded globally each year.

By transforming post-consumer plastic bottles into durable, high-quality canopies, we give waste a second life - and create products designed to last, not to be replaced.

Our 2025 Impact at a Glance

Here’s what the past year looks like in numbers:

  • 2,702,667 plastic bottles recycled in 2025

  • 8,878,935 plastic bottles recycled since launch

  • Each umbrella canopy is made from recycled plastic bottles

  • Materials chosen for durability, longevity, and reduced waste

These numbers represent more than statistics - they represent real waste diverted from landfill and oceans, and real progress toward a more circular design approach.

How Recycled Bottles Become Our Umbrellas

Every Original Duckhead umbrella begins its journey as waste - plastic bottles collected, cleaned, and processed into high-performance recycled fabric.

That fabric is then:

  • Engineered for strength and weather resistance

  • Treated with PFAS-free waterproof coating

  • Crafted into canopies designed to withstand years of use

Paired with FSC-certified wood handles and high-strength frames, our umbrellas are built to stay in use - which is the most sustainable outcome of all.

 

Sustainability Beyond Materials

Recycling plastic bottles is just one part of our mission.

Original Duckhead is:

  • A certified B Corporation, meeting high standards of social and environmental responsibility

  • A proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of revenue to environmental and social charities

  • Committed to designing products that last for years, not seasons

We believe sustainability works best when it’s designed in, not added on.

Why Longevity Matters

The most sustainable product is the one you don’t need to replace.

That’s why we focus on:

  • Durable construction

  • Repair-minded design where possible

  • Timeless colours and styles that won’t date

  • Products people genuinely want to use every day

By creating umbrellas and accessories that stay in circulation longer, we reduce the demand for constant replacement and help shrink the overall environmental footprint.

What This Means for You

When you choose an Original Duckhead umbrella or accessory, you’re not just buying a product - you’re supporting a different way of doing things.

You’re choosing:

  • Recycled materials over virgin plastic

  • A brand committed to measurable impact

  • Products designed to last through many rainy days

  • A small, positive action that adds up over time

Every umbrella represents a choice and together, those choices have made a real difference.

FAQs: Our Sustainability Impact

Q: How many plastic bottles does Original Duckhead recycle per product?
A: Each umbrella canopy is made using recycled plastic bottles, helping divert waste from landfill and oceans.

Q: Is Original Duckhead a sustainable brand?
A: Yes - we’re a certified B Corporation, members of 1% for the Planet, and committed to recycled materials and responsible production.

Q: Why does recycling plastic bottles matter?
A: It reduces waste, lowers reliance on virgin plastic, and helps move toward a more circular economy.

Looking Ahead

Recycling 8,878,935 plastic bottles is something we’re incredibly proud of - but we see it as a milestone, not a finish line.

As we move through 2026, our mission remains the same:
to design products that are bold, practical, and built to last - while continuing to reduce waste, one umbrella at a time.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Discover our sustainable umbrellas and tote bags - thoughtfully designed, responsibly made > shop now