Can We Clean the Ocean?
Channel: R E A
Date: 2019-02-01

Can we clean the ocean? We all know that our oceans are not really clean and that there are literally islands of plastic forming out there. And we know we shouldn’t pollute anymore and use plastic straws, bags or bottles. But whether you are doing anything to stop the pollution or not, the fact is that more than 8 million tons of plastic are dumped in our oceans every year and that around 50% of plastic is used just once and thrown away.

So, we need to get this plastic out of the ocean. But how? Are there any solutions other than changing our habits? Can we clean the ocean?

Solution number 1 is The Ocean Clean Up. A simple, yet high tech solution developed by Boyan Slat. His idea is to place a 600 meters long floater on the ocean surface with a three-meter-long skirt underneath it. This floater doesn’t need any energy to move around and as it moves, the plastic and other trash are trapped inside it. A vessel then takes the trash out of the water and disposes of it properly. While this solution is already up and running, it did experience a couple of challenges, but our hopes are still up.

Solution number 2 is a Seabin. A bin, placed on the surface of the ocean that sucks plastic and other floating rubbish out of the water. It was invented by two surfers and is showing great promise. Besides sucking in the trash, it can also filter water by separating it from oils and detergents. It is also safe for marine animals and is a cheap solution.

Solution number 3 is 4Ocean. This is a global movement actively removing trash from the ocean and coastline. People use small boats, sail around and remove rubbish from the water. Their motto is Cleaning the ocean and coastlines, one pound at a time (that is 0,5 kg). You can support them by purchasing their bracelet, made entirely from recycled material and with every bracelet bought you personally sponsor some trash being removed from our waters. This solution is a bit old school, but since it doesn’t need any high-tech to work, it can work non-stop.

Solution number 4 s a UK start-up and the idea is to transform plastic into oil. Not just idea, it is already working. How? Well, there is a huge machine the size of a tennis court and when you through in plastic (like bags, bottles or electronics) it turns into energy-producing oil. This oil can be used to warm up our houses, to wax our shoes or to create our cosmetics.

So, the bottom line is that we can clean our oceans, and we are working on it. But even if we can clean them, this doesn’t mean we should keep polluting them. When it comes to plastic, so serious measures need to be taken, and we all need to take responsibility for our actions.


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SOURCES:
https://www.theoceancleanup.com/technology/
https://forbes.com/sites/jeffkart/2019/01/11/founder-of-ocean-cleanup-vows-return-says-failure-talk-is-rubbish/#52053da66349
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-20/seabin-designed-by-australian-surfers-to-start-cleaning-up-ocean/7044174 
https://4ocean.com/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/inventions-that-clean-the-ocean_us_5938be94e4b0b13f2c66ee01?guccounter=1&fbclid=IwAR0eFA7gffddtc2DSN119PvEE4oq4-frEbpy2T8zZzhqrsDXZvQ0n3yjt4M 
https://plasticoceans.org/the-facts/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlDJiFW4pRI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1EAeNdTFHU