Ngos Leading The Fight Against Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that has captured the attention of NGOs worldwide. These organisations are working tirelessly to combat the harmful effects of plastic on the environment, oceans, and human life. One notable example is the Shri Kalyan Women Welfare Society, which empowers 1000 rural women in Rajasthan, India, to stitch cloth bags as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags. Another Indian NGO, Babul Films Society, focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of plastic and offering sustainable alternatives. The Healing Himalayas Foundation takes on the unique challenge of preserving the pristine Himalayan mountain range from plastic pollution, working with travellers and local communities to protect this fragile ecosystem. In Europe, Rethink Plastic, an alliance of leading NGOs, is part of the global Break Free From Plastic movement, advocating for an end to plastic pollution. These are just a few examples of the many organisations dedicated to reducing plastic pollution and fostering a more sustainable future.

The Ocean Cleanup

The ocean system consists of a funnel-shaped floating barrier towed by two ships and is deployed in oceanic gyres to collect marine debris. The project's initial focus was on the Pacific Ocean and its garbage patch, and it has since extended to rivers in countries including Indonesia, Guatemala, and the United States. The river system consists of a variety of floating barriers anchored to the riverbank.

The Interceptor, a solar-powered, automated system designed to capture and extract waste, is part of the river system. It utilizes a barrier and an optimized water flow path to guide rubbish towards a conveyor belt, which delivers the waste to a shuttle. The shuttle then deposits the waste into one of six bins, which are emptied by local operators when they are almost full.

The organization has received recognition for its work, including the 2014 Champion of the Earth award from the United Nations Environment Programme and the 2015 London Design Museum Design of the Year award.

The Plastic Bank

The idea for the organisation came from Katz, who drew inspiration from arcade tickets, which people can trade in for prizes. This idea was adapted to create a system in which that same kind of value would be applied to what people discard, effectively creating a currency, tradable for material goods or services.

The company allows people living in poverty to collect plastic and trade it for goods and services including school tuition, medical insurance, pharmaceutical access, internet access, and cooking fuel. The collected plastic is then reprocessed and reintroduced into the supply chain.

The organisation has won multiple awards for its work, including:

• The Prix Voltaire International Award (2019)
• Green Tech - Game Changer of the Year (2019)
• SDG Action Award - Connector (2019)
• Nature Inspiration Award (2018)
• UN Momentum for Change Award (COP23) (2017)
• Sustania Community Award (COP21) (2015)
• EO Global Citizen Award (2014)
• RCBC Environmental Award for Innovation (2014)

Greenpeace

• Sign their petitions
• Join their volunteer network
• Participate in plastic pollution campaigns
• Document single-use plastic pushed on you and use social media to call out corporations

Parley for the Oceans

One of their key initiatives is Parley Future Material, which aims to develop new materials to replace harmful substances in various industries. These new materials should function in symbiosis with the planet and biodegrade naturally. Parley has also launched the Parley Ocean School, an online portal that provides educational resources and tools to inspire and empower individuals to take action in their communities.

In 2020, Parley announced a $50 million partnership with the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme and the World Bank to tackle plastic pollution in South Asian waters. This initiative involved eight countries, including Bangladesh, India, and the Maldives.

Parley's "AIR" strategy, which stands for Avoid, Intercept, and Redesign, calls for the avoidance of plastics and emissions, the interception of plastic waste and pollutants, and the redesign of materials, methods, and mindsets. This strategy has been adopted by various industry-leading brands and governments as a realistic framework for a Material Revolution.

4Oceans

4Ocean is a company that works to reduce plastic pollution in oceans. It was founded in 2017 by two surfers, Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper, who were driven by the plastic pollution they witnessed in the ocean to start a cleanup operation. 4Ocean hires full-time captains and crews to recover plastic waste and other man-made debris directly from the open ocean and other vulnerable coastal ecosystems. The company prioritises taking care of its employees, paying its captains and cleanup crews a fair living wage and covering their health insurance costs.

The company sells bracelets made from recycled ocean plastic and, for each bracelet sold, agrees to collect one pound of waste. The profits from these sales are then used to fund further cleanup operations and to donate to ocean-related non-profit organisations like Lonely Whale. 4Ocean also sells other products such as apparel, reusable bags, water bottles, shoes, and hats, all made from recycled materials.

As a Public Benefit Corporation, 4Ocean is legally required to prioritise its social and environmental impact. It is also a Certified B Corp, meaning its entire business has been audited by a third-party nonprofit accreditation firm to verify the impact of its work. 4Ocean is committed to sharing its knowledge and raising awareness about ocean plastic pollution and inspiring action on behalf of the ocean.

The company operates globally, with multiple locations around the world, and has recovered millions of pounds of trash from the world's oceans, rivers, and coastlines.

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