The experimental net for the cleaning of surface waters from plastic

The experimental net for the cleaning of surface waters from plastic debris that has been designed by Archipelagos’ researchers with the support of OceanCare is a very useful tool to limit our plastic footprint in the marine environment. It was designed after multiple experiments and is now an easy to use tool for the collection of fragments of plastic debris from surface waters. It can be cover large marine areas and can be towed by 1 or 2 boats. The results of the experimental trials showed that it can collect large amounts of floating debris, while it also does not trap marine organisms.

The use of such tools is complementary to the immense need for development of infrastructure and enforcement of measures to address the vast problem of plastic pollution. This net can be used in situations where emergency clean up is required, but also in coastal areas and semi-enclosed bays where there is aggregation of plastic debris. In this way we will stop being “spectators” of this pollution and wait till the floating plastics disappear from our sight. However if we want to have an efficient result to remove from the sea as much as possible of its plastic debris load, thousands of such interventions are required, but both civil society organisations and by governmental organisations.