ECOFRIENDLY SPOTLIGHT: “THE OCEAN CLEANUP” BY 19-YEAR-OLD BOYAN SLAT

Plan to remove 7,250,000 tons of plastic from the Oceans

Boyan Slat plans to create an Ocean Cleanup Array that could filter 7,250,000 tons of plastic waste from the world’s oceans.

An anchored network of floating booms and processing platforms would be installed around the world, especially in places suffering from severe garbage issues. The device consists of a large tunnel that would force plastic in the direction of the platforms. Following this, the collected waste would be parted from plankton, filtered and stored for recycling.

A very promising student, Boyan Slat has devoted the past years to the ocean’s cause. Everything started in school, when he launched a project that focused on the horrific amount of plastic in the ocean. Thanks to this initiative, he gained several prizes and consequent media coverage, which encouraged him to continue to develop the concept. All this lead him to present it at TEDxDelft 2012!

The clean-up process is estimated to take about five years and would greatly impact the preservation of the environment. Indeed, it could save a significant number of aquatic animals as much as million dollars per year (clean-up, lost tourism and damage to marine vessels).

To date, despite experts questioning the project’s feasibility, the designer’s motivation is still strong. As a matter of fact, the critics justify the fundraising because, as he puts it: “I don’t know if it’s possible, and that’s exactly the reason I’m doing it.”

If you wish to contribute to collecting the $80,000 required, please don’t be shy!