An ambitious partnership between an inventive global packaging company and the surfing community to rid the ocean of plastic pollution. A Wilmington-based company’s efforts to protect the environment are going beyond its customers and into the local surfing community with the goal of promoting actions that reduce plastic pollution in our oceans.

A new Earth Project Teams with professional surfers like like Kai Lenny, Vaihiti Mahana, Carlos Munoz, and Koa Smith to serve as global advocates to adopt more sustainable solutions. Surfing was a prime driver that motivated the packaging company’s president, Wes Carter, to found this growing coalition in 2021. Since that time, Atlantic has made curbside recyclable packaging products more accessible to businesses and consumers.

A New Earth Project debuted its showroom in Laguna in April 2022. Open by appointment at 1516 s. Coast Highway, visitors can learn more about the brand's sustainable packaging line called New Earth Approved, which is made from renewable resources and is fully curbside recyclable. A New Earth Project is a coalition of outdoor enthusiasts, industry-leading brands, and innovative packaging suppliers focused on developing and advocating for sustainable packaging.

Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and future generations, Atlantic Packaging becomes the first packaging company member of The Conservation Alliance.

Family owned-and-operated for 75 years, Atlantic Packaging is committed to supporting the intelligent transition to a circular packaging supply chain and a waste-free world. With packaging accounting for over 40 percent of plastic waste according to 2018 EPA data, Atlantic Packaging has recognized its corporate responsibility to have a positive impact on sustainability.

“We’ve been able to test and refine a lot of different materials and technologies, and not only is what we devised recyclable and sustainable, but it’s more convenient for everyone from the surfboard companies to the consumers. The waste can go right into your curbside bin, and it’s fully recyclable,” explained Wes Carter, president of Atlantic Packaging and founder of A New Earth Project.

It’s one thing to say you’re against plastic in the ocean. It’s another thing entirely to bet the family business on it. 

It’s a Wednesday night in Laguna Beach, and A New Earth Project is officially unveiling itself to a small consortium of VIPs, friends, family, and influencers. 

“I knew that these guys had been working on something, but this is pretty incredible,” describes longtime surf industry player and legendary Laguna Beach goofy-footer Jeff Booth. 

Wes Carter, president of Atlantic Packaging as well as an avid surfer, has been on a mission to move consumer products away from single-use plastic packaging, which has been a huge contributor to ocean pollution. 

Sustainability is top of mind across our industry and the broader economic landscape. Many of us are aware of this, and we're all at different stages of progress, but we're inevitably asking the same questions: What's needed? How do we get there? What does science say? How do we scale? And, what solutions are there that are ready to adopt?

In celebration of Earth Day, Wilmington-based Atlantic Packaging has officially launched A New Earth Project, an initiative that seeks to eliminate plastic pollution from oceans, lakes and rivers through sustainable packaging.

In honor of Earth Day, Shop Eat Surf spoke with three industry suppliers that are striving to make a positive environmental impact while growing their businesses at the same time.

Shop ”New Earth Approved” products for Earth Day and help rid our waterways of pollution.

What's driving so many business and cultural leaders to focus their energy on sustainability and climate issues? Is it for the good of mankind? For business? Or for both? Join Adam Davidson and Wes Carter to explore the motivations and inspirations behind the climate movement.

"The president of a packaging company is determined to help solve the problem of plastic pollution."

Why & How Wes Carter of Atlantic Packaging Is Helping To Change Our World

Wes Carter Tackles the Issue of Pollution Head-On as President of Atlantic Packaging

Charleston business owner starts project to rid oceans of plastic pollution.

You’ve likely never heard of Wes Carter.As far as most of us are concerned, he works behind the scenes. But as president of North America’s largest privately held packaging company, he has a big influence on a place we all share: the ocean.