Profiting From Ocean Plastic Reduction: A Sustainable Business Opportunity

Ocean plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with plastic waste causing severe harm to marine wildlife and ecosystems. While individual efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic are important, they are not enough to address the scale of the problem. To make a significant impact and profit from reducing ocean plastic pollution, a combination of systemic change, innovative technologies, and collaborative efforts are necessary. Here are some key ways to tackle this global crisis and potentially generate economic benefits:

1. Systemic Change: Banning single-use plastics and promoting the use of compostable, recyclable, or repairable materials are crucial steps. This includes encouraging the use of reusable water bottles, carrier bags, and other products to reduce daily plastic pollution.

2. Innovative Technologies: Organizations like The Ocean Cleanup are developing and deploying advanced technologies to intercept plastic in rivers and clean up accumulated ocean plastic. Their efforts have already removed millions of kilograms of trash from oceans and rivers.

3. Collaborative Efforts: Joining or organizing beach and river cleanups can be highly effective in preventing plastic from reaching the ocean. Additionally, supporting charities, signing petitions, and participating in campaigns that challenge plastic pollution can drive legislative changes and increase funding for sustainable solutions.

4. Wastewater and Stormwater Management: Improving wastewater and stormwater management systems can significantly reduce plastic and other pollutants from entering oceans. This includes implementing filtration systems, trash collection at river mouths, and regulating the use of nutrients and pesticides.

5. Green Chemistry Practices: Adopting sustainable practices and materials that maintain the performance characteristics of plastics while minimizing their environmental impact is essential. Banning hard-to-manage substances and limiting the use of harmful chemicals can also reduce plastic pollution.

6. Resource Efficiency: Implementing fees on single-use plastics, encouraging industry standards for reducing fossil-fuel-based plastics, and shifting cultural norms toward waste reduction and reuse can have a significant impact.

7. Recycling and Producer Responsibility: With only 9% of plastic ever recycled, there is a vast opportunity to improve recycling rates and create a circular economy. Implementing extended producer responsibility laws and providing incentives for waste segregation and recycling can drive this change.

8. Coastal Zone Improvements: Restricting open ocean aquaculture and shifting to sustainable land-based systems can reduce plastic pollution and other pollutants associated with coastal aquaculture. Encouraging participation in beach cleanup and certification programs can also help keep beaches clean and raise awareness about pollution.

9. Safe Food and Water Systems: Establishing drinking water treatment systems and ensuring adequate drinking water standards can reduce plastic pollution from single-use bottles while also addressing the global issue of access to clean drinking water.

10. Public-Private Partnerships: Cross-sectoral collaborations, such as the project in Muncar, Indonesia, that built a waste management system to optimize waste collection and processing, are vital. These partnerships can drive systemic change and create sustainable solutions to tackle ocean plastic pollution.

Reduce single-use plastic

Reducing single-use plastic is one of the most effective ways to tackle plastic pollution in the ocean. Single-use plastics include plastic bags, water bottles, straws, cups, utensils, dry cleaning bags, take-out containers, and any other plastic items that are used once and then discarded.

• Refuse any single-use plastics that you do not need, such as straws, plastic bags, takeout utensils, and takeout containers.
• Purchase and carry reusable versions of single-use plastic products, such as reusable grocery bags, produce bags, bottles, utensils, coffee cups, and dry cleaning garment bags.
• When refusing single-use plastic items, inform businesses that you would like them to offer alternatives. This can be done by speaking to the owners of the restaurants or stores you frequent.
• Avoid products with unnecessary packaging, especially those made from plastic. Choose products with minimal packaging, or opt for paper or glass packaging instead.
• Buy in bulk whenever possible to reduce the amount of plastic packaging used per item.
• Cook more often and store leftovers in reusable containers in the freezer to reduce the use of plastic take-out containers.
• Compost food waste instead of throwing it away in plastic bags.
• Opt for reusable menstrual products, such as menstrual cups, instead of single-use plastic tampons and pads.
• Use a safety razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable plastic razors.
• Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
• Bring your own reusable bags when shopping, and refuse single-use plastic bags.
• Shop at bulk food stores and bring your own containers to fill up on staples like flour, nuts, dried fruit, cereal, beans, and rice.
• Choose cleaning products in bar, powder, or concentrated liquid form, which use less packaging.
• Support and patronize businesses that have ditched single-use plastics, such as those that offer reusable bags, cups, utensils, and straws.
• Advocate for policies and legislation that aim to reduce single-use plastic consumption and improve waste management.

Support legislation to curb plastic production

While individual action is important, it is also crucial to support legislation that addresses the root causes of plastic pollution. This means advocating for laws that reduce plastic production, improve waste management, and hold plastic producers accountable for the waste they generate.

One example of such legislation is the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the United States, which aims to address the plastic pollution crisis comprehensively. Additionally, there are state-level initiatives to introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, making plastic producers and distributors responsible for their products and packaging at the end of their life cycle.

At the international level, a global plastics treaty has been signed by 175 United Nations member states. This treaty will establish rules and regulations to reduce plastic pollution on a global scale. It is important to support and advocate for the adoption and implementation of such treaties and legislation in your community and at all levels of government.

You can also support legislation that limits, taxes, or bans unnecessary single-use plastic items such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles. These types of policies have already been successfully enacted in many places globally, and your support can help bring about similar changes in your community.

Furthermore, recycling is an important aspect of curbing plastic pollution. However, it is essential to understand the recycling guidelines in your area and actively follow them. Proper recycling helps keep plastics out of the ocean and reduces the demand for "new" plastic.

By supporting legislation to curb plastic production and improve waste management, you can help address the systemic issues contributing to ocean plastic pollution and drive long-lasting change.

Clean up beaches and rivers

Clean-ups of beaches and rivers are one of the most direct and rewarding ways to fight ocean plastic pollution. Beach and river clean-ups are so important because plastic in these areas eventually ends up in the sea. In fact, 80% of plastic in the ocean is estimated to originate on land.

You can help by joining an existing clean-up initiative or starting your own.

Joining an Existing Clean-Up Initiative

There are many organizations that regularly arrange beach clean-ups for volunteers, including The Ocean Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, American Littoral Society, and Ocean Blue Project.

The Clean Currents Coalition, a global network of local projects, is also on a mission to clean up the world's rivers using scientific solutions. They have eight key projects operating across the world, including:

• A conveyor belt on the Athi River in Kenya, which has diverted more than 1,000 tonnes of waste from the river.
• The Citarum River concentrator in Indonesia, which can remove 20 to 100 tonnes of waste per day.
• The Kingston Harbour interceptors in Jamaica, which use a barrier and conveyor system to stop plastic from entering the Caribbean Sea.

Starting Your Own Clean-Up Initiative

If you want to organize a clean-up of your local beach or waterway, you can simply go to the beach or river and collect plastic waste on your own or with friends and family.

You could also join or form a local organization to tackle the problem. Community involvement is key to the long-term success of environmental projects. Educating people, businesses, and community leaders about plastic pollution can help create behavioral change and ensure the project's success.

Additional Tips for Beach and River Clean-Ups

• If you are collecting waste on your own, make sure to use gloves and other protective gear to stay safe.
• Separate the waste you collect into different recycling streams, then package and send it to recycling facilities.
• If there is no recycling infrastructure in your area, you can try to repurpose or upcycle the waste into something useful, such as building materials.
• Reach out to local organizations or government agencies that might be able to provide support or funding for your initiative.

Avoid products with microplastics

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with millions of tons of plastic in our oceans, and it is increasing. A large proportion of plastic pollution comes from single-use plastics, which are used once and then discarded. These plastics break down into microplastics, which are ingested by marine life and end up in our food systems. Microplastics have been linked to a range of health issues, including heart disease, lung disorders, infertility, fetal development issues, and cancer.

To avoid contributing to this issue, it is important to reduce your use of single-use plastics and avoid products that contain microplastics. Here are some ways to avoid products with microplastics:

• Avoid plastic cutting boards: Plastic cutting boards are a significant source of microplastics. Cutting vegetables on plastic boards can increase the transfer of microplastics to food. Try using tempered glass or plastic-free chopping boards made from paper fibers instead.
• Don't use microwavable plastic containers: Microwavable plastic containers, such as Tupperware and plastic packaging, release large amounts of microplastics into food when heated. Ceramic and glass containers are safer alternatives that don't leak microplastics.
• Avoid bottled water: Bottled water has been found to contain high levels of microplastics. Tap water is a better option, but to further reduce exposure, use an NSF-certified water filter.
• Avoid plastic tea bags and single-use coffee cups: Tea bags and single-use coffee cups are often made with polypropylene plastic, which can release microplastics into your drink when hot water is added. Loose tea leaves, cast-iron teapots, metal strainers, and reusable flasks or bottles are better alternatives.
• Avoid synthetic makeup: Many beauty products and cosmetics contain harmful microplastics. Opt for products with natural ingredients and plastic-free packaging.
• Choose natural fiber clothing: Synthetic clothing made from polyester, polyamide, and nylon can shed microplastic fibers that end up in water supplies. Clothing made from natural fibers like cotton or hemp is a better choice.

While it may be challenging to avoid all microplastics, making small changes and choosing alternative products can significantly reduce your exposure and help protect the environment.

Support charities challenging plastic pollution

One way to profit from reducing ocean plastic pollution is to support charities challenging plastic pollution. Here are some ways to do this:

Research and select a charity

Before deciding which charity to support, it is essential to do your research. Familiarize yourself with the charity's history, mission, values, and financial information. Check their website and look for transparency in their mission and figures. Identify their specific goals and assess their achievements and successes. This will help you ensure that your donation will be used effectively and align with your values.

Donate money

Financial contributions are always appreciated by charities. You can usually donate through the charity's website, and you can choose to make a one-time donation or set up regular payments. Your donations can help fund the charity's operations, research, and initiatives to combat plastic pollution.

Volunteer

Consider engaging in volunteer work with the charity. Many organizations, such as the Marine Conservation Society, Surfrider Foundation, and 4Oceans, organize beach and river cleanups, which are essential for preventing plastic from reaching the ocean. You can also take part in their other grassroots programs and initiatives to make a direct impact.

Spread awareness

Share the stories and missions of the charities you support to attract more people to their cause. You can do this through social media, word-of-mouth, or creative fundraising drives. Additionally, consider signing petitions and joining campaigns to advocate for better policies and legislation to address plastic pollution.

Support their initiatives

Many charities have income-generating initiatives, such as selling official merchandise or bracelets made from recycled materials. You can support them by purchasing these items and spreading the word about their activities. You can also support their campaigns, such as the Plastic-Free Parks initiative, and participate in their events, like the Million Mile Clean event.

Fundraise

You can actively fundraise for the charity by organizing events or drives within your community, workplace, school, or other networks. This can be a creative way to engage your peers and raise funds for the charity's initiatives.

By supporting charities challenging plastic pollution, you can make a direct impact on reducing ocean plastic pollution and contribute to a healthier planet. Remember to select charities that resonate with your values and causes that matter to you.

Frequently asked questions