micro-plastics

NYK begins large-scale survey of ocean microplastics

NYK signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chiba Institute of Technology (CIT) to use a ship to collect and analyze microplastics in oceans worldwide, in order to create a solution to marine plastic pollution. This is the world’s first initiative between a company and a research institute to carry out a survey of microplastics over a wide range of the ocean.

According to the World Economic Forum, as much as 8 million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the oceans every year. If this...

https://safety4sea.com/nyk-begins-large-scale-survey-of-ocean-microplastics/

Rubbish bins from recycled plastic spread across the UK

BinForGreenSeas announced that Swale Council will join its project. The organization will soon establish three bins along the Swale seafront, prompting visitors to dispose of their litter responsibly with our prominent and poignant message: throw marine life a lifeline.

The bins will be placed at Minster Beach, Leysdown Beach and Sheerness Beach. These are popular areas with tourists and locals alike, so we are delighted that Swale Council is being so proactive in taking a stand against marine...

https://safety4sea.com/rubbish-bins-from-recycled-plastic-spread-across-the-uk/

Year in Review: Environmental issues that caught shipping’s eye in 2019

ssi

As we are approaching the end of another exciting year for shipping, without a doubt the focus of everyone ahead of 2020 will be on IMO sulphur cap. This issue, along with decarbonization in general, has emerged as a main priority for the sector, with companies trying to find ways to cut their emissions. In this article, we take a look back at 2019, and we identify the key environmental moments that left their mark.

IMO 2020 sulphur cap

From 1 January 2020, the limit for sulphur in fuel oil used...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-year-in-review-environmental-issues-that-caught-shippings-eye-in-2019/

Researchers find microplastics along the entire NSR

During an expedition in the Northern Sea Route, Russian researchers discovered microplastics all along the route, marking the first time ever that samples have been taken of microplastic waste along the route.

As the Russian newspaper Izvestiya reports, during the Transarktika 2019 expedition the Professor Multanovskiy vessel began its journey from Vladivostok on the Pacific Ocean on August 25, sailing through the NSR heading to Murmansk, where it berthed on September 8.

Although in the entire...

https://safety4sea.com/researchers-find-microplastics-along-the-entire-nsr/

Cigarette butts: The most prevalent form of ocean litter

While walking along the coast, one can come across broken bottles, plastic toys and food wrappers among others, but cigarette butts appear to be the most common.

In fact, cigarette butts are a prevalent, lasting, and toxic form of marine debris, that can potentially harm marine organisms and their environments. Cigarette butts initially reach the waterways through their improper disposal on beaches, rivers and land and are transported to the coats by rainwater.

Moreover, the 2018 International...

https://safety4sea.com/cigarette-butts-the-most-prevalent-form-of-ocean-litter/

EU launches actions to clean up marine litter worldwide

On beaches across Europe and the world, EU staff are cooperating with local communities to clean up marine litter as part of the #EUBeachCleanUp campaign. Launched on 19 August, this year’s campaign will run through October, with actions taking place in more than 80 countries, on all populated continents.

This year, due to innovative partnerships with the United Nations and the Smurfs, the campaign reaches thousands of citizens of all ages. The success of #EUBeachCleanup depends on its...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-launches-actions-to-clean-up-marine-litter-worldwide/

WHO calls for more research into microplastics and impact on human health

Following an analysis of current research related to microplastics in drinking-water, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a further assessment of microplastics in the environment and their potential impacts on human health. In this regard, the Organization also called for a reduction in plastic pollution to benefit the environment and reduce human exposure.

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic which are less than 5 millimetres, and they are increasingly gathering in the seas,...

https://safety4sea.com/who-calls-for-more-research-into-microplastics-and-impact-on-human-health/

Ocean Cleanup solves previous technical challenge

The Ocean Cleanup announced that after a 6-week testing campaign, its main technical challenge is solved by modifying the system to move at a consistent speed through the plastic. The slow-down configuration was most effective in the trials.

The Ocean Cleanup’s first attempt to collect plastic was deployed last year, with the System 001, also known as Wilson. After months of testing, the organization took Wilson back to port in the first days of this year after it suffered a fatigue fracture.

This...

https://safety4sea.com/ocean-cleanup-solves-previous-technical-challenge/

Canada to ban single-use plastics

Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that the Government is taking additional steps to reduce Canada’s plastic waste, support innovation, and promote the use of affordable and safe alternatives.

Namely, after collaboration with governments and businesses across Canada, the Government of Canada will:

  • Ban harmful single-use plastics as early as 2021 (such as plastic bags, straws, cutlery, plates, and stir sticks) where supported by scientific evidence and warranted, and take other...

https://safety4sea.com/canada-to-ban-single-use-plastics/

University of the Aegean suggests a new way to tackle plastics in the sea

The University of the Aegean start a series of tracking and quantifying plastic garbage in the sea, in 2018, called ‘Plastic Litter Project (PLP)’. The program aims to remotely locate, large quantities of plastics in the sea, aiming to remove them more efficiently.

Plastic garbage are a major problem for the oceans, as millions are ending up in the sea, impacting the marine ecosystem.

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Today, modern methods are being used to quantify the amount of plastics in...

https://safety4sea.com/university-of-the-aegean-suggests-a-new-way-to-tackle-plastics-in-the-sea/

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