Progress report for
Working towards plastic free oceans
Achievement at a glance
In 2017, we have launched the I-CARE campaign aimed at empowering the public to reduce plastic waste. The campaign is mainly directed towards young people and focusses on social media. A campaign song of an environmentally conscious rock band has been integrated. On the campaigns website people are asked to take a pledge to reduce their disposable plastic consumption. A real time calculator measures the impact of such commitment in terms of the reduced yearly consumption of disposable plastics. This is a catalyst to encourage participants to further rethink their plastic consumption. Additionally, participants are presented with eco-friendly products helping them to keep their promise.<br>
<br>We are convinced that innovative campaigns such as I-CARE will significantly contribute to a rethinking about our attitude towards plastic use.
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<br>We have also tried to find different ways of communication to raise awareness about the issue of ocean noise and marine debris, to broaden the target audience and ultimately achieve a change in behaviour.
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<br>Since the development of such filters takes time we are promoting an alternative in the form of the Guppy Friend Bags, which prevents microfibers to enter the waterways.
<br>Our edutainment video on plastic pollution is now available in nine languages including the main languages in the Mediterranean region. They are very popular and are shown at various exhibitions, used at workshops and in schools and at other occasions.
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<br>OceanCare has undertaken several beach cleaning activities in Spain and Italy as well as educational outreach projects with schools in Mallorca and Sicily.
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<br>OceanCare has a cooperation with Gebr. Heinemann, which in the past two years reduced plastic bags by 70% from 8,8 Mio. in 2016 to 2,5 Mio. items in 2017. In 2018 the company joined the UN Global Compact programme.
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Challenges faced in implementation
1) Ban the use of microplastics in cosmetic products in Switzerland by the beginning of 2019: This initiative failed due to lack of political will. Reattempt considered.Beneficiaries
- Environment and ecosystem
<br>- Civil Society and Schools
<br>- Private Sector and Policymakers
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Actions
1. Make the edutainment Video on plastic pollution available in the main languages of the Mediterranean Region, but also international (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portughese, Spanish, Turkish,<br>2. The 2,862 people who support the ICare campaign are committed to spare 4,375.80 kg plastic bags, 192,000 straws, 465 kg pet bottles, 1,678.27 kg coffee to go cups and 1,372.50 Million microplastic particles from cosmetic products.
<br>3. Beach cleaning actions in Spain and Italy
<br>4. Educational outreach projects to schools in Mallorca and Sicily
<br>5. Reduction of plastic bags through cooperation with Gebr. Heinemann from 8.8 Million in 2016 to 2.5 Million in 2017.
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