There’s an intrinsic link between sports and sustainability but if you think golf can’t contribute, that’s a big whiff. Golf has a unique relationship with the environment, and a natural responsibility to preserve flora, fauna, and ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the game. The guys at Verta Golf know this, and as well as selling bamboo tees and sustainable golf balls, have chosen to package their unique club and shoe cleaner in Prevented Ocean Plastic™.
Prevented Ocean Plastic™ will always be proud to work with people and brands trying to make better plastic choices. We spoke to the Founder and Managing Director of Verta Golf, Adam Calvert.
- Hi Adam! For anyone unfamiliar, can you talk about how Verta started, the products you offer, and how they stand out?
“Verta Golf is a brand driven by a passion for sustainability, inclusivity, and accessibility in golf. Our mission is to make the sport more accessible to everyone by providing high-quality products that enhance performance while minimising environmental impact.
Verta started during lockdown when I was playing a lot of golf and got fed up with cleaning my clubs using soapy water and scrubbing brushes. I looked into whether there was a dedicated golf cleaner on the market and found nothing, so I created one. The end result, Verta’s Clean Strike, is a pH 5.5 eco-friendly cleaning solution designed to remove grass stains, dirt, and oils from skin, grips, clubs and shoes. By keeping your grips clean, it enhances tackiness for better control and accuracy, helping golfers hit more consistent shots. Regular use also helps extend the lifespan of your equipment by preventing dirt buildup and wear, making it an essential tool for maintaining peak performance on the course.“
- Verta was founded on the basis of sustainability and innovation- is that an area you think golf has been ahead or behind the game in?
“Golf has always been innovative when it comes to equipment technology, course design, and player development. But sustainability? That’s only really started gathering momentum in the last few years. We’re now seeing more brands and golf courses take it seriously, which is great. For me, sustainability isn’t a marketing gimmick, it was just the right thing to do from the start. It’s about future-proofing our brand and making a real positive impact.“
- What does working with Prevented Ocean Plastic mean to you?
“Since Clean Strike is a liquid, our packaging options were limited to either plastic or aluminium. At the time, aluminium bottles weren’t sealing properly with our atomiser lids, and I didn’t want a product that could leak in a golf bag. I started looking into recycled plastics and came across POP. It was an easy decision for me as they align with our values. Having seen the devastating effects of ocean plastic firsthand on trips to the Far East, I wanted to do something about it. What POP does is incredible- not just collecting plastic but also creating jobs for people in affected areas.“
- And what do you think choosing recycled means to your customers?
“I think it reinforces their buying decision. We have competitors that don’t use recycled materials, and for a lot of customers, that’s a deciding factor. They want a great product, but if it also helps reduce plastic waste, even better.“
- Would you encourage other companies to work with Prevented Ocean Plastic?
“Absolutely. Plastic isn’t going away anytime soon, but we need to be smarter about how we use it. Solutions like POP make total sense- it’s a responsible way to use plastic while reducing environmental impact.“
Plastic isn’t going away anytime soon, but we need to be smarter about how we use it
- What are you most excited about within the wider world of recycling and sustainability?
“The biggest challenge has been changing habits. A lot of golfers have always cleaned their clubs “the old-fashioned way”, and it takes time to get them to try something new. But once they do, they see the benefits. Clean Strike makes cleaning effortless, and it actually enhances performance. I’ve had golfers tell me they hit the ball more accurately and consistently after using Clean Strike because it improves grip and removes built-up dirt that can affect contact. That kind of feedback is priceless”
- Can you recall some the successes and challenges you’ve had talking to fans and players about a greener game?
“I stay up to date with packaging innovations and sustainability trends, and it’s an exciting time. A lot of industries are tackling sustainability challenges head-on and coming up with some real innovation. That said, I think many of the answers already exist; we just need to fix consumer behavior and buying habits. That’s the real challenge.“
- What are Verta’s ambitions for the future?
“When I created Verta Golf with Clean Strike, I never wanted it to be just about the cleaner. We’ve now expanded into golf balls, tackling the huge waste issue in that space. Every year, over 1.3 billion golf balls are made, and around 420 million get lost or discarded. That’s a massive environmental problem that we’re working to solve. Beyond golf, I’m also looking at other sports where Clean Strike can be introduced for equipment care.”
About PREVENTED OCEAN PLASTIC™:
Prevented Ocean Plastic™ is high quality, certified recycled plastic that has been collected from coastal areas at risk of ocean plastic pollution. Used by supermarkets and brands around the world, it meets regulatory health and safety standards, is traceable back to source and can be identified on-pack through its distinctive triangular logo. Prevented Ocean Plastic™ supply major manufacturing partners such as Groupe Guillin, Spectra Packaging, and Berry Global for offerings across multiple product categories, including food and drink, personal care, pet products and home cleaning. Prevented Ocean Plastic™ is an award-winning, three-time Earthshot Prize nominee, and has collected over 2.5 billion plastic bottles from where they don’t belong since 2020.
