Jelly's Chervelle Fryer Tackles Ocean Waste with the 'Ocean Plastic Book'

Chervelle Fryer has illustrated the world's first children's book produced completely from recycled ocean plastic. A kid's book against ocean waste, made from ocean waste.

More than eight million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year. By 2050 there will be more pieces of plastic in the sea than fish. A lot of it coming from our everyday behaviour. The effects on the environment are devastating. Those most affected will be those most precious to us: kids. In response to this, Belgium-based NPO Waste Free Oceans teamed up with Teijin to change that, with the help of ad agency Jung von Matt.

The Ocean Plastic Book is the world’s first children's book produced completely from recycled ocean plastic. It was designed to lead to a rethinking in the use of plastic for parents and children alike and to help clean our oceans, Not only through the story, but through the book itself.

The book tells the story of Pippa. her biggest dream is to swim with every animal in the ocean, Until one day, she finally gets to live her dream. But on her adventure through the deep blue sea, she realises that the animals can't swim: they are all trapped in plastic. But the brave heroine is able to help them, banning plastics from her home for good - and becomes the Queen of the Ocean.

Bernard Merkx, CEO of Waste Free Oceans, commented: "We are extremely grateful that we could work with such a skilled artist. Chervelle’s illustrations didn’t only make our story come alive. But will give children the chance to discover something new with every single read."

How the book was made

Waste Free Oceans collected plastics from all over the world for the pages and cover of the books. While Japanese company Teijin developed an innovative process: They shredded plastics to pellets and turned them into fibres. The fibres were turned into material that is tear- and water-resistant. It can also be processed just like real paper.

"Instead of extracting more natural resources, we wanted to lead to a change with what’s not only freely available, but what’s doing harm right now. With the Ocean Plastic Book, we turned harmful ocean plastic into a force for good – that can be passed on for generations to come," said Bernard Merkx.

Waste Free Oceans and Teijin in are currently working to get the environmentally friendly Ocean Plastic Books in the hands of as many children as possible. Because, as Merkx puts it: "Every book helps to clean the ocean and to keep it clean. And doing nothing is simply not an option."