16. Ocean Debris

Introduction

Each year, between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans. The median estimate of 8 million tonnes is enough to cover an area the size of West Yorkshire in plastic waste. Plastics like polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) became popular after World War II due to their affordability, durability, and ease of manufacturing. Today, global plastic production reaches approximately 385 million tonnes annually, a figure expected to grow by 20% by 2050.

Microplastics, defined as particles between 1–5 mm in size, come from a variety of sources such as exfoliating toiletries, microbeads in personal care products, and packaging for small-scale fertilisers. These microplastics are harmful to aquatic life as they bypass filtration systems, making their way into oceans where they are consumed by marine organisms. While some countries, like the UK, have implemented bans on microbeads and other single-use plastics, ocean currents continue to gather plastic waste in accumulation zones like the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch," an area three times the size of France. Although some initiatives, such as the Dutch-led barrier system, aim to clean up surface-level plastics, the challenge of addressing microplastics and debris that has sunk to the ocean floor remains unsolved. These plastics enter the food chain and disrupt aquatic ecosystems, threatening marine life and biodiversity.

Task

The UK government seeks a technological solution to mitigate ocean plastic pollution as part of a short-term strategy, rather than a change in legislation, to address this urgent environmental challenge. Your team, as part of an engineering firm, is tasked with developing a solution to tackle the issue of ocean debris. Your proposal can focus on any aspect of ocean plastic pollution: removing surface plastics, addressing microplastics, or managing plastic waste on the ocean floor. The solution must be practical, scalable, and minimise environmental impacts, while considering long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Considerations

1. Technology
Your solution must leverage innovative technologies to address plastic pollution in oceans. Whether you are focusing on removing large debris, collecting microplastics, or addressing submerged plastics, the technology must be capable of effectively capturing plastic waste without causing further harm to the marine environment.

Questions to consider:

• What technologies can you use to effectively collect different types of plastic pollution (e.g., surface plastics, microplastics, submerged plastics)?

• How will your technology capture, contain, and process plastic debris efficiently while ensuring minimal disruption to marine life?

• What materials will be required to build the technology, and how will they withstand harsh ocean conditions?

2. Infrastructure
The implementation of your proposed solution will need to fit within existing marine and coastal infrastructure. Consider how your system will be deployed and operated, the logistical challenges of maintaining it in marine environments, and how it will integrate with current waste management systems.

Questions to consider:

• How will the system be deployed in the ocean, and what infrastructure will be required to support it (e.g., boats, platforms, waste management facilities)?

• What are the logistics of maintaining and operating the system in remote or harsh marine environments?

• How will your solution integrate with existing marine conservation efforts and waste management infrastructure?

3. Market Factors
Your solution must be economically viable and scalable. Consider how the collected plastic can be repurposed or sold for recycling. The solution should also attract interest from potential stakeholders, such as governments, environmental organisations, or private companies.

Questions to consider:

• Is there a market for the recycled plastics that your solution collects, and how could the plastic be repurposed or sold?

• What industries could benefit from using the recovered plastic, and what is the quality of the material collected?

• How will your solution demonstrate its cost-effectiveness and value to potential stakeholders, including governments and environmental organisations?

4. Safety, Security, and Risks
Ocean clean-up systems face numerous operational risks, including harsh weather conditions, environmental disruption, and potential equipment malfunctions. Assess these risks and ensure your solution prioritises safety for both marine ecosystems and the operational teams involved.

Questions to consider:

• What are the potential risks to marine life and ecosystems posed by your solution, and how will you mitigate these?

• How will you ensure the safety and security of your equipment in the ocean, particularly in adverse weather or remote locations?

• What protocols will be in place to address malfunctions, maintenance, and emergencies?

5. Project Management Approach
Developing and deploying an ocean clean-up solution requires careful planning and coordination. Outline the phases of your project, including research, design, testing, deployment, and long-term operation. Set clear milestones and allocate resources efficiently.

Questions to consider:

• What project management methodology will you use to guide the development and deployment of your solution?

• What are the key milestones in the project, and how will you ensure timely completion of each phase?

• How will you allocate resources, such as personnel, budget, and equipment, to ensure the project's success?

6. Costing and Feasibility
Your solution must be financially feasible while offering a competitive edge compared to other clean-up methods. Provide a detailed cost analysis for the development, deployment, and operation of your system. Additionally, consider any potential revenue streams from recycling the collected plastic.

Questions to consider:

• What are the estimated costs for designing, building, and maintaining your system?

• How does the cost of your solution compare to other methods of addressing ocean plastic pollution?

• Is there potential for income from recycling the collected plastics, and how will this affect the overall feasibility of the project?

7. Sustainability, Ethics, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Sustainability is a key factor in designing your solution. Consider how it will minimise environmental impacts, use sustainable materials, and contribute to long-term ocean health. Additionally, assess the ethical considerations of implementing such a system, ensuring that it benefits diverse communities and stakeholders.

Questions to consider:

• How will your solution be sustainable in terms of materials, energy usage, and long-term operation?

• What are the environmental benefits of your solution, and how will it contribute to improving ocean health?

• How will your project ensure inclusivity, promoting access and benefits to diverse communities, including underserved coastal populations?

Further Information

1. H. Ritchie and M. Rosser, "Plastic Pollution," Our World Data. Available: https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution [Accessed: October 9, 2024].

2. Chatterjee and S. Sharma, “Microplastics in our oceans and marine health,” The Journal of Field Actions: Special Issue vol 19 p 54-61, 2019. Available: https://journals.openedition.org/factsreports/5257 [Accessed: October 9, 2024].

3. A. Neslen, "European parliament approves sweeping ban on single-use plastics," The Guardian, Oct. 24, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/24/european-parliament-approves-ban-on-single-use-plastics-uk-eu-brexit [Accessed: October 9, 2024].

4. J. Jambeck et al., "Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean," Science, vol. 347, no. 6223, pp. 768-771, 2015. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1260352 [Accessed: October 9, 2024].

5. The Ocean Cleanup, "Cleaning Up The Garbage Patch," The Ocean Cleanup. https://theoceancleanup.com/oceans/ [Accessed: October 9, 2024].

6. Eugene Yang, "Experts unsure if Ocean Cleanup is going to rid the seas of plastic," ABC News, Sept 22, 2018. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-23/ocean-cleanup-great-pacific-garbage-patch-plastics/10285938 [Accessed: October 9, 2024].