The Mediterranean — cradle of civilizations and crossroads of cultures — is now gravely endangered. According to ISPRA, over 70% of the waste found on the seabed along the Italian coast is plastic. This waste not only pollutes our seas but is also ingested by fish, turtles, birds, and cetaceans, with devastating consequences for marine ecosystems and, ultimately, for our own health.
It is from this awareness that Arbos decided to create Ocean, the first eco-friendly notebook that helps save the sea in the Italian stationery industry. A product born from a real environmental urgency and developed as a genuine project of circular economy and shared responsibility.
Why was the Ocean project created?
We didn’t want a project that would just “make headlines.” We wanted a product that would represent real change — transparent, meaningful, and grounded in the language of commitment and circular economy.
Circular Economy: A Necessary Model
The Ocean project is built on a clear principle: plastic should not become waste — it should become a resource.
That’s why Arbos chose to act according to the principles of a circular economy, a production model that stands in contrast to the traditional linear approach of “extract, produce, use, dispose.”
In a circular system, materials are reused, recycled, and regenerated. Products, at the end of their life cycle, do not become waste — they re-enter the production cycle as new resources. This approach helps minimize waste, extend the life of materials, and protect the planet.
The Truth About Recycling Ocean Plastic
There’s a lot of talk about recycling plastic collected from the sea, but it’s important to clarify one key fact: not all marine plastic can be recycled. The combined effects of salt and sun alter the chemical structure of plastic, making it unusable for a new production cycle in most cases.
That’s why it’s essential to take action upstream. Stopping plastic before it reaches the sea is the only way to turn it into a reusable resource. This is where the idea behind Ocean was born: collecting plastic directly from Italian river basins — such as the Venice Lagoon, the Piave River, and the Tanaro River — and giving it a new life.
The Supply Chain: Transparency and Responsibility
The production process of Ocean, the eco-friendly notebook that helps save the sea, is fully traceable:
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Local municipal waste services collect plastic from rivers such as the Piave, the Tanaro, and the Venice Lagoon.
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The recovered materials are then delivered to Montello S.p.A., a leading company in post-consumer plastic recycling. At Montello, the plastics are sorted and transformed into plastic granules. A pioneer of circular economy in Italy, Montello has been awarded for its innovative technologies and its contribution to CO₂ reduction.
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The granules are then sent to CTP Srl, a company specialized in Made in Italy plastic molding, which manufactures the covers using Arbos’ custom-designed texture that evokes the movement of water.
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Finally, Arbos completes the notebook, using 100% recycled paper and recyclable metal binding.
The result is a notebook that is not only beautiful and practical, but also meaningful — a true example of sustainable design and circular economy.
Support from Marevivo
To strengthen the credibility and environmental impact of the project, we partnered with Marevivo, a well-known Italian association dedicated to the protection of the sea. We asked them to independently evaluate the Ocean project, and they recognized its value. Moreover, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Ocean notebook is donated to support Marevivo’s ongoing initiatives.
Marevivo reminds us that 80% of the plastic that ends up in the sea comes from inland areas. Once in the water, this plastic can seriously injure or kill fish, birds, and marine mammals. Over time, it breaks down into invisible microplastics, which enter the food chain.
That’s why your contribution matters — even something as simple as choosing a sustainable notebook can help protect our oceans.
Ocean: A Notebook That Tells Stories of Recovery
The Ocean eco-friendly notebook is made with care, meaning, and a strong message of sustainability:
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Cover in post-consumer recycled plastic, featuring a textured wave-like finish that evokes the sea. It is made from 100% recycled HDPE plastic, derived from detergent bottles reduced to granules. To give you a sense of its impact: the 15×21 cm notebook reuses the equivalent of 9 half-liter water bottles, while the 10.5×15 cm version reuses 4.3 bottles.
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120 sheets of 80 gsm recycled paper, ideal for writing, sketching, or planning. The paper is made from 100% unbleached, post-consumer waste.
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Spiral binding in metal, recyclable with scrap iron collection.
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Closure with colorful elastic bands, both practical and playful.
Ocean is more than just a notebook — it’s a statement.
It’s an invitation to reduce waste, recycle properly, and choose products that truly respect the environment. A small, everyday object that carries a powerful story.
Conclusion
Creating an eco-friendly notebook that helps save the sea wasn’t easy — but our goal was always clear: to design a product that is beautiful, useful, and honest.
Ocean is the symbol of our commitment to a cleaner future, a more responsible economy, and a more transparent way of communicating.
Choosing it means believing that even a simple notebook can make a difference.
DISCOVER OCEAN, THE ECO-FRIENDLY NOTEBOOK THAT HELPS SAVE THE SEA ON OUR ONLINE SHOP