In June, the Illuminate team stepped away from our offices and laboratories and headed to Cypress Point Beach in Tampa, Florida, armed with trash bags, gloves, sunscreen, and plenty of enthusiasm.
For several hours, our team worked side by side collecting litter along the shoreline. We picked up everything from plastic bottles and food wrappers to countless pieces of expanded polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as Styrofoam. The experience was both rewarding and eye-opening, reminding us that sustainability is not just part of our business, it’s something we strive to support in our communities as well.
As we walked the beach, we saw firsthand how plastic and foam waste can impact local ecosystems. Broken pieces of foam packaging were scattered throughout the sand and mangroves, demonstrating how easily these materials can fragment into small pieces that are difficult to recover once they enter the environment.
That challenge is one of the reasons Illuminate developed Ecochill®, our sustainable thermal insulation solution designed as an alternative to traditional EPS shipping coolers for temperature-sensitive products. Made from natural materials, Ecochill provides thermal protection comparable to conventional foam while offering environmentally responsible end-of-life options. After use, Ecochill can be composted or repurposed as pet bedding, mulch, or soil amendment.
“One of the things that excites me most about Ecochill is that we never set out to create a slightly better version of traditional foam packaging,” said Illuminate’s Chief Operating Officer, Sophie Marcoux. “We wanted to rethink what environmentally responsible cold chain packaging could be. Ecochill was engineered to deliver the thermal performance our customers depend on while reducing environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. I personally reuse the material in potted plants and as mulch around my garden. That’s the kind of innovation that benefits both our customers and our planet.”
While no single cleanup can solve the challenge of environmental waste, every bag of litter removed and every sustainable innovation developed helps move us in the right direction. Beyond the environmental impact, the day was a great opportunity for our team to spend time together outside the workplace, contribute to our local community, and enjoy Florida’s beautiful coastline. We’re incredibly grateful to every member of the Illuminate team who volunteered their time and energy to help make Tampa’s beaches a little cleaner.
About Ecochill
Ecochill is Illuminate’s alternative to traditional expanded polystyrene (EPS) coolers. Made from natural materials, Ecochill delivers exceptional thermal protection for temperature-sensitive shipments while providing sustainable end-of-life options. Learn more about Ecochill and how Illuminate is helping build a more sustainable cold chain.
