FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ocean Discs? 

Ocean Discs is founded by Olli Simonsen in 2023. Olli, #80936, is a keen and dedicated disc golfer since 2014, starting his journey in Queenstown, New Zealand and continuing in London, UK since 2016. Olli is originally from Aarhus, Denmark and runs London Disc Golf Community, an online disc golf retail shop. 

 

Why 60% and not 100% Ocean Waste Recycled Plastic? 

Choosing to use 60% recycled plastic for our discs stems from the inherent challenges tied to the density of recycled materials, which can be unpredictable during the disc golf mold design stage. Managing weight in disc manufacturing involves balancing the volume of the mold and the density of the plastic. Working within the PDGA guidelines, the maximum weight for the Sea Turtle is 179.3 grams, our decision to use 60% recycled plastic reflects the challenges of designing a mold.

The complexity arises because, while our goal is to increase the recycled plastic percentage to 100% in future discs, the inconsistent nature of recycled plastic makes it challenging to design a mold with unknown density. Recycled plastic batches exhibit varying densities, often deviating from provided information. This variability can result in unpredictable weight changes throughout the disc-making process. Despite these challenges, our commitment remains strong, and we strive to push towards 100% recycled content in our discs as technology and processes evolve.
 

Where are the discs made? 

Ocean Discs are designed in London, UK, and manufactured in China. 

Are the discs ethically made? 

Yes, our manufacturing partner maintain high standards and conditions related to quality management and social compliance, such as ISO 9001 and BSCI certifications. More info below.

ISO 9001: This is an international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). It sets the criteria for a quality management system that focuses on customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and the effective management of processes. ISO 9001 certification indicates that a company has established a robust quality management system that meets the requirements of the standard. It's not specific to China; it's a globally recognised standard that applies to organisations in various industries worldwide.

BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative): This is a framework for companies seeking to improve social compliance in their global supply chains. It's not a technical standard like ISO 9001 but rather a set of principles and practices related to labor rights, health and safety, environmental protection, and other social aspects. BSCI aims to ensure that companies adhere to ethical business practices, especially in the context of sourcing from global suppliers. It focuses on aspects like fair wages, working hours, non-discrimination, and occupational health and safety.

Both ISO 9001 and BSCI are important in their respective areas. ISO 9001 is about ensuring quality in a company's operations, while BSCI is about promoting responsible and ethical practices in supply chains, including those that involve manufacturing in countries like China. It's important for companies to understand and adhere to these standards to maintain quality and social responsibility.

 

How is quality control insured? 

Before releasing our discs to the public, we send samples to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) to be officially approved, meaning the disc has passed all PDGA Technical Standards and are legal for PDGA sanctioned competition. In addition, we test several discs in house and send prototype discs out to be reviewed.