Revolutionary Clean-Up: Tackling the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Proof of Technology: Ocean Cleanup System 2
3. The Cleanup Process in the Pacific Ocean
4. System 2: Jenny, the Improved Version
5. Collecting and Sorting the Plastic Waste
6. Processing the Plastic into Recycled Goods
7. The Ocean Cleanup's Sustainable Sunglasses
8. Closing the Loop: Turning Trash into Valuable Products
9. Challenges and Future Plans
10. Expanding the Cleanup Efforts

The Ocean Cleanup: Revolutionizing Ocean Cleaning Technology

The problem of plastic pollution in our oceans has reached critical levels, threatening marine life and ecosystems. However, a non-profit organization called The Ocean Cleanup has taken a monumental step towards solving this crisis. During a recent press event in Victoria, Canada, they announced the successful proof of technology with their revolutionary Ocean Cleanup System 2. This milestone achievement marks a significant advancement in their mission to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive accumulation of plastic waste.

Proof of Technology: Ocean Cleanup System 2

The Ocean Cleanup System 2, affectionately named "Jenny" after the famous character in the film "Forest Gump," is a groundbreaking improvement over its predecessor, System 1 (also known as Wilson). Unlike System 1, which struggled to retain collected plastic, System 2 has shown remarkable efficiency in capturing plastic waste. Towed at a slow speed of about 1.5 knots by two large vessels, Jenny extends a three-meter-wide barrier below the ocean surface. This barrier allows fish to escape by swimming down, while plastic gets pushed towards the center, creating a retention zone.

The Cleanup Process in the Pacific Ocean

Armed with System 2, The Ocean Cleanup is set to tackle the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located hundreds of miles offshore in the Pacific Ocean. This ambitious cleanup effort involves deploying teams and Ocean Cleanup systems to the area. Once deployed, System 2 travels through the ocean, catching floating plastic along the way. After a period of time, the vessels connect both ends of the system and Collect the captured plastic waste. The plastic is then sorted before being brought back to shore for processing into pelletized plastic, which can be used in manufacturing recycled goods.

System 2: Jenny, the Improved Version

System 2 represents a significant development in the autonomous cleaning technology envisioned by CEO Boyan Slat. While the original idea was to have fully autonomous systems propelled by ocean currents and wind, early testing revealed limitations. Smaller plastic pieces could escape the system, rendering it ineffective. However, Boyan Slat hasn't given up on the autonomous cleaning concept. System 2, crewed by multiple ships and staffed by a dedicated team, has resolved the previous shortcomings and demonstrated its effectiveness in capturing plastic waste.

Collecting and Sorting the Plastic Waste

The collection process of the Ocean Cleanup is meticulously designed to ensure maximum efficiency. As System 2 travels through the ocean, it accumulates plastic waste in the retention zone. The collected waste is then sorted, separating different types of plastic for further processing. With a fleet of support vessels and crew members, the Ocean Cleanup team collaboratively collects, sorts, and prepares the plastic for recycling.

Processing the Plastic into Recycled Goods

In October 2020, the Ocean Cleanup presented another innovative initiative – high-end sunglasses made from reclaimed pelletized ocean plastic. Designed in California by Yves Behar and manufactured in Italy, these sunglasses serve as proof of concept and a means to Raise funds for future cleanups. Each pair of sunglasses features a QR code that allows users to Trace the origin of the plastic used in its production. By demonstrating the creation of valuable products from plastic waste, the Ocean Cleanup showcases the potential of a circular cleanup approach.

Closing the Loop: Turning Trash into Valuable Products

The vision of the Ocean Cleanup extends beyond cleaning up the oceans. They aim to turn the collected plastic waste into something useful and valuable. While the non-profit has no plans to venture into manufacturing products directly, the success of their sunglasses demonstrates the feasibility of turning trash into valuable items. Buoyed by the idea of a circular cleanup process, the Ocean Cleanup envisions a future where the proceeds from recycled goods fund ongoing cleanup efforts.

Challenges and Future Plans

Despite the significant progress made by the Ocean Cleanup, challenges remain. Stopping plastic pollution at its source is crucial in reducing the amount of plastic waste entering the oceans each year. Buoyant Slat emphasizes the importance of education, changes in single-use plastic products and packaging, and shifts in recycling practices to address the plastic pollution crisis comprehensively. Additionally, the Ocean Cleanup aims to go carbon neutral by offsetting fuel consumption and exploring low carbon emission fuels for their fleet.

Expanding the Cleanup Efforts

With the success of System 2, the Ocean Cleanup has laid the groundwork for future cleanups and has plans to deploy multiple units to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch simultaneously. Furthermore, the organization is already working on the development of System 3, which will be three times larger than System 2. By refining their cleanup systems and deploying a fleet of Ocean Cleanup units, the non-profit aims to significantly reduce the amount of plastic floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

In summary, the Ocean Cleanup has achieved a critical milestone with their Ocean Cleanup System 2, marking a significant advancement in their mission to rid the oceans of plastic waste. Through innovative technology, dedicated teams, and sustainable initiatives like their reclaimed plastic sunglasses, the organization strives to not only clean up our oceans but also inspire a shift towards a more circular and sustainable approach to waste management.

Highlights

• The Ocean Cleanup successfully reaches proof of technology with Ocean Cleanup System 2.
• System 2, named "Jenny," demonstrates remarkable efficiency in capturing plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean.
• The collection process involves towed barriers that retain plastic while allowing fish to escape.
• Collected plastic waste is carefully sorted and processed into pelletized plastic for manufacturing recycled goods.
• The Ocean Cleanup introduces high-end sunglasses made from reclaimed ocean plastic as a proof of concept and fundraising initiative.
• The organization aims to turn trash into valuable products through a circular cleanup approach.
• Challenges remain in reducing plastic pollution at its source and changing behaviors and practices.
• Future plans include deploying multiple cleanup systems and developing larger-Scale systems for more effective plastic collection.

FAQ

Q: How does System 2 differ from its predecessor, System 1? A: System 2, known as Jenny, is an improved version that has shown greater efficiency in capturing plastic waste. Unlike System 1, which struggled to retain collected plastic, Jenny has a three-meter-wide barrier that allows fish to escape while collecting plastic in a retention zone.

Q: What happens to the plastic waste after it is collected? A: The collected plastic waste is carefully sorted and processed into pelletized plastic. This pelletized plastic can then be used in manufacturing recycled goods, turning the waste into valuable products.

Q: Will the Ocean Cleanup expand their cleanup efforts in the future? A: Yes, the Ocean Cleanup has plans to deploy multiple units simultaneously to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. They are also working on the development of System 3, which will be three times larger than System 2, allowing for more effective plastic collection.