Reducing the Dispersion of plastic in the environment

Cleaning the ocean

Clean arcipelago: project for the recovery of plastic in the “Arcipelago Toscano Park” with a fishing cooperative. It started in 2018 with a protocol of understanding with the Tuscany region, the Ministry of the Environment, Unicoop Florence, Legambiente, the coast guard, the harbor system, Labromare srl, Revet spa (specialized in the recycling of heterogeneous plastics) and Cft. Cooperative. The contract terminated in march of 2019, and it represents the model based on which the law “Salvatore” (Save the sea) was developed under consideration of the Parliament to facilitate the recovery of waste in the sea.

SeaBin: is somewhat of an “ocean vacuum cleaner”, similar to a trash can, which, thanks also to a pump, estracts 25 million liters of water per hour, holding back even the smallest waste, 500 kg per year, and replacing it with clean water. It can be used in ports and docks. In Italy, it is promoted by Lifegate PlasticLess, and the first was placed in Varazze.

Blue Packaging: Blue Marine Service operates with different initiatives to safeguard the ocean. It is engaged in the fishing sector with the project known as Blue Packaging that has the objective to replace EPS containers (also known as expanded polystyrene) used by fishermen, with biodegradable containers in PLA (polylactic acid, a biopolymer), which is biodegradable and compostable and not harmful if injected.

Cleaning of the seabed of Acciaroli (SA): this is the first initiative of this type, and thanks to an agreement with the Foundation “Angelo Vassallo”, the municipality of Pollica and the fishing boats of the ports of Acciaroli, Agnone and Pisciotta, organizes the cleaning of seabeds. Each fishing boat is supplied with containers to differentiate what gets caught in the nets and consign it correctly on land.

Reuse used plastic

Aquafil ECONYL: Aquafil, one of the major impactors, in Italy and in the world in the production of synthetic fibers, developed ECONYL, a nylon thread originating from virgen sources, but at the same time created from what nobody used anymore. The nylon present in waste dumps and in waste left in the sea (for example in fishing nets) is recovered and transformed in ECONYL thread, ideal for carpets and clothing items.

EcoBirdy: Eco Birdy (www.ecobirdy.com): is a collection of furniture for children made with recycled plastic without resin, or additives, and recovered thanks to a recovery system that deals with broken and abandoned toys that, sorted by color, are transformed in @ecothylene and later on are added to the collection of reproduced toys.

Eso-Esosport: the Eso project, company that manages office waste, recovers gym and running shoes, and transforms these into plastic material for playgrounds. These are the  collection points for those who want to help: www.esosport.it/punti-di-raccolta-esosport

Adidas-Parley plastic ocean: is a high quality material, employable in many situations, from carpeting to swim suits, which is recovered from recycling of fish nets. It was used in the running shoes Ultra Boost Parley, whose vamp was developed with 85% recycled plastic, and the third Juventush shirt (of the 2018-19 championships), in 100% recycled polyester.

Plastic Whale: Plastic Whale Circular Furniture and Vepa Project: is an office furniture line developed with plastic waste recovered in the canals in Amsterdam.