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Ecocoast x The Ocean Cleanup
Published on 04 Oct ‘20
Cleaning the oceans
Ecocoast x The Ocean Cleanup

Cleaning The Oceans

How we are helping The Ocean Cleanup project to project and clean our world’s oceans from plastic

A recently published study by The Ocean Cleanup, the Netherlands-based non-profit organisation that is developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, has found that as of 2020, an estimated 24 million to 35 million metric tonnes of plastic waste enter the aquatic environment on an annual basis. This is more than double the rate of previous estimations of plastic inputs. Even if every country in the world implemented and adhered to current global commitments to address plastic pollution, emissions would remain at the same level, leading to 53 million metric tonnes leaking into rivers, lakes and oceans in 2030, the study warns.

In the face of increasing plastic pollution, current commitments are not enough to effectively mitigate the crisis we are facing. These commitments would only have a substantial impact if the production growth and use of plastic is halted completely. Therefore, a fundamental transformation of the plastic economy to a circular framework is essential, where end-of-life plastic products are valued rather than becoming waste, while also developing a cleanup strategy larger than grass roots, for cleaning up what is already in the water.

However, the road to cleaner oceans is a long one, with the study’s best case scenario requiring a global reduction of 25% to 40% in plastic waste generation, an increase in the level of waste management from 6% to 60% in low income countries, while systematic cleanup of plastic emissions will need to increase by 40%.

As such, The Ocean Cleanup is focusing on the end spectrum of plastic pollution mitigation strategies, by utilising technology to help clean up the world’s oceans and waterbodies. We partnered with The Ocean Cleanup in 2017 to design and manufacture the screen for its first marine barrier system, System 001, to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

The marine barrier was a complex engineered design consisting of a 600-meter-long floating element made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), to which a screen was attached that reached 3 meters down under water. The screen was made from a tightly constructed, geotextile-inspired material.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an area in the Pacific Ocean, located between San Francisco and Hawaii, where currents converge and collect floating debris, mainly different types of plastic. The Ocean Cleanup’s ambition is to clean up the world’s five ocean garbage patches, which are collectively estimated to hold more than five trillion pieces of plastic.

Our commitment to protecting and supporting the world’s coastlines and marine environments, and in helping to solve the most pressing marine problems, has been further enhanced through our recent purchase of Bolina, the European leader in marine safety, security and environment booms, headquartered in the United Kingdom.

This acquisition not only allows us to offer our clients and partners with a range of environmental, safety and security solutions, but also strengthens our commitment to The Ocean Cleanup project. Bolina has worked with the foundation since 2016, developing a boom to clear rivers of floating plastics at the source.

Using an autonomous, environmentally friendly floating device, floating plastic pollution is scooped out of rivers before it reaches the sea. 100% solar-powered, the device extracts plastic autonomously and can operate in the majority of the world’s most polluting rivers. This system uses Bolina’s Litter Fence Boom (LFB600), due to its robust construction and efficient flush-sided design, which helps to deflect and guide debris into the collection system.

“The synergies are substantial and will help strengthen our market position as the leading provider of marine products globally. The combined strength of our marine engineering expertise together with a broader product offering enables us to provide a more comprehensive solution for our clients, to keep the world’s waterways healthy, safe and secure,” concludes Lachlan Jackson, CEO at Ecocoast.

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Are you looking for a company that solves all your marine-related problems? Designs entirely new marine solutions that were thought impossible? Understands what you need to deliver a project without delay or downtime? Engineers solutions that can be reused on multiple projects? Get in touch with us on [email protected] or +971 4 885 3944. 

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