The Ocean Clean Up – Who are they?
The Ocean Clean Up was founded in 2003 by Boyan Slat in the Netherlands at just the age of 18. Known as the largest clean up in history, his mission was to clear up our oceans by developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enters our oceans every year, which is an extortionate amount. Their aim is to clean up 50% of The Great Pacific garbage patch in just five years, and with the support and funding of people like you and me, we can help tackle this growing problem. The Ocean Clean up has been cleaning up and intercepting plastic from entering our rivers and oceans for years, and have now created the first product made with plastic from the Great Barrier Reef…Sunglasses!
How Has It Been Done?
The sunglasses have been created by collecting plastic from the Great Pacific garbage patch, this is a collection of rubbish located in the North Pacific Ocean. Designed by Yves Béhar, and created in Italy, these sunglasses are not only trendy but are helping find a solution to how we can re-use marine debris. And, of course, they can be recycled in the future! Although the sunglasses are quite high in price at $199, 100% of the fundings will go towards the continuation of The Ocean Cleanup, which is vital in saving our waters.
The impact of this initiative
It is estimated that buying just one pair of sunglasses will enable them to clear an area equivalent to 24 football fields of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch! If their target of selling every pair of sunglasses is reached, then they will be able to clear half a million football fields worth of ocean. This incredible product created by The Ocean Clean Up is innovative and a great solution in funding their cleanups. We hope that this idea will spark many more products to be created reusing plastic and will start a positive cycle in the clearing of our oceans and rivers.
The sunglasses also come with your own wilson case and a big pouch bag, all made from 100% recycled plastic which they have collected
The plastic which has been used:
- Frame: The Ocean CleanupTM plastic – 95% recycled plastic certified from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- Lenses: Polycarbonate (PC)
- Hinges, Brand and QR Code Plates: Recycled stainless steel
- Case: Recycled System 001 a.k.a. Wilson. High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- Pouch: Recycled PET bottles
The idea that the rubbish which is piling into our oceans causing pollution can recreate such a usable and stylish product for us is astonishing to see and a genius idea.
The Problem With Ocean Plastic
The problem with plastic in our oceans has recently been growing rapidly. Marine debris is filling up our waters and is having devastating effects on marine ecosystems and wildlife; Globally, 100,000 marine mammals die every year as a result of plastic pollution, and this number is only on the rise. The global plastic crisis cannot be ignored, we must raise awareness and realise the importance of recycling correctly to stop plastic filling up our oceans.
If you want to find out more about ocean plastic, take a look at our ocean plastic blog and infographic here.
