In a groundbreaking initiative, a Chinese company is transforming the way we tackle ocean pollution. The “Blue Circle” system is incentivizing coastal fishermen to collect plastic litter from the ocean by offering higher rewards for ocean-retrieved waste.
Typically, a plastic bottle collected on land in China is worth half a cent. However, when retrieved from the ocean, the same bottle fetches three cents. This significant difference has motivated fishermen to turn their efforts toward cleaning up marine debris.
The collected ocean plastic is then used to create high-value products that command a premium price in the market, even more than items made from new plastic. This demand for products made from recycled ocean plastic funds the collection efforts at the front end, creating a sustainable business loop.
“Using commercial power to achieve a clean ocean is China’s solution to global marine governance,” says a spokesperson for the initiative. By harnessing market forces, the “Blue Circle” system not only provides economic benefits to local communities but also contributes to the global fight against marine pollution.
This innovative approach showcases how environmental sustainability and economic development can go hand in hand, offering a model that could be replicated in coastal regions around the world.
