"Aposematism" is the use of a visual signal of conspicuous markings or bright colors by an animal to warn predators that it is toxic or distasteful.

This finding gave us the idea of designing patterns with colors and print them on the plastic bags in order to warn ocean species and drive them away from the toxic material.

We chose 4 of the most famous venomous sea animals: The Scorpion Fish, Lion Fish, Mandarin Fish and the Blue Ringed Octopus.

And printed their colors and patterns over generic plastic bags.

By doing this we made our plastic bags safe for sea animals in case they reach the ocean.

Largest retail establishments in Ecuador acquired them and implemented them starting April 1st. Bags are still in retailers.

The plastic bags were designed using 4 of the most famous venomous species in the ocean.

One of them was the Lion Fish pattern because of its bright colors and thick lines, we considered it would stand out the best in and out of sea.

Another animal pattern used is the Mandarinfish, the most beautiful fish in the ocean but also know for its toxic mucus to repel predators.

Finally we used the pattern of the Blue Ringed Octopus, known for being the deadliest animal in the sea and the Scorpion fish know for being the most toxic fish in the ocean floor.

The design of the bags included a call to action message that invited people to recycle it and to find out more about the issue at ASEPLAS website.

2.5 Million Venomous bags were printed in all 4 patterns.

The largest retail establishments in Ecuador acquired them.

No sea turtles have have died from this bag since its launch date.

ASEPLAS was honored by local environmental authorities and given the innovation green award 2016.

Positive reputation of bag manufacturers from Ecuador is up 9 points compared to previous year.

Venomous bag is a one to one action to people that targeted customers that shop at major retail establishments.

ASEPLAS used the plastic bag to raise a awareness of the issue of plastic bags polluting the ocean

And at the same time created a solution to avoid turtles and other species dying from this issue.

ASEPLAS, the association of plastic producers of Ecuador wants to make sure that their Plastic bags do not become a trap to sea animals in the ocean.

The element used was a generic plastic bag printed with the colors and patterns of 4 venomous sea animals: Lion Fish, Mandarinfish, Blue Ringed Octopus and the Scorpion fish know for being the most toxic fished in the ocean floor.

The target audience is all customers that shop retail establishments in Ecuador.

We also uploaded the designs to a website for any company to download and use for free.

Plastic bags waste in oceans are the cause of the death of approximately 100,000 sea animals every year.

Many recycling campaigns have been implemented with little effectiveness.

Sea turtles, sharks and dolphins confuse them with jelly fish, eat them and die.

ASEPLAS, the association of plastic producers of Ecuador wanted to help.