It’s possible
We are true salty souls that share a deep passion for our oceans. As sailors, we have made the oceans our home and have seen firsthand that plastic waste is a big threat for our beloved sea and its wonderful inhabitants. We are committed to tackling the global plastic pollution problem with all our hearts and energy.
At IN MOCEAN, we view plastic as a precious material. Plastic was invented for durability and designed to be recycled in order to minimize the use of virgin resources. In remote areas with basic or non-existent waste management infrastructure and minimal employment opportunities, plastic recycling has the potential to induce positive change to help mitigate these disparities.
We work together with people living in remote coastal communities to build recycling workspaces that turn plastic trash into precious new products. We develop new income streams for local workers by educating them on how to sell the recycled products to tourists and those in the hospitality industry, like hotels and souvenir shops. At the same time, those invested in the workspaces help rid oceans and shorelines of trash and prevent local domestic waste from polluting nature in the first place. A win-win for local communities and the environment.
In detail, how does this work?
The problem
*Source: Wissenschaftlicher Dienst des Europäischen Parlaments
Awareness
The first step towards affecting change is to be aware of an existing problem and a possible solution. If people knew about plastic waste’s potential to not only create value for people living in remote coastal areas but to also improve the general environmental and health situation, it would be seen as a precious asset. This change of mind set would give an incentive to collect the plastic that gets washed up ashore and prevent domestic waste from being improperly disposed of in the first place. So, let’s spread the good news!
Solution
By setting up community recycling workspaces in remote coastal areas, plastic waste will be turned into new goods. These recycled products can be sold through a network of various sales partners like hotels, restaurants, dive centers or souvenir shops. The revenue will create employment opportunities, paying local workers for the collecting, sorting, washing and recycling of the plastic. Plastic waste will be brought back into the economic circle which will provide value for the community instead of polluting the environment.
Change
Turning plastic waste into sellable products has many positive impacts for people living in remote coastal areas. First of all, it provides an income for people who collect, sort, wash and recycle the plastic. Furthermore, it will clean the environment and prevent new pollution caused by plastic waste. Step by step, through education and hands-on learning experiences, the revenue from the recycling workspace can help to improve the general trash management infrastructure of the community. Simultaneoulsy, it will improve the local air, soil and water quality.
At In Mocean, we believe that tackling global challenges like plastic pollution requires collective effort. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with TRIXIE, the European market leader in pet supply. This collaboration, starting in January 2025, marks a great milestone in demonstrating the power of corporate partnerships for ocean conservation, and we’re excited to share the details with you.
In September 2024, In Mocean had the incredible opportunity to participate in Hamburg’s WetterWasserWaterkant event for the second time. With over 400 diverse sessions offered, we were thrilled to represent grassroots recycling solutions and share our passion for tackling plastic pollution. Our recycling workshops for school classes, combined personal storytelling, an exploration of global plastic pollution, and hands-on recycling activities. They provided students with practical tools and fresh perspectives, inspiring them to see that even small steps can lead to significant change.