Project Kaisei is on a mission to provide solutions to the Plastic Vortex
I’ve written before about Project Kaisei, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the plastic debris floating in the world’s oceans. They’re organizing their next big expedition to the Plastic Vortex, which will involve testing a new solution developed by Ed Kosior, a renowned plastics expert, for treating ocean-based plastic waste. This system uses low heat, no oxygen, and allows for a wide variety of plastic waste to be processed into diesel fuel. It is feasible that this equipment can be used from a boat while at sea, but actual deployment at sea will depend on the volume of debris that will be estimated to be collected.
What is the Plastic Vortex?
Every year over 260 million tons of plastic are produced, much of it for one-time use and less than 5 percent of the world’s plastics are recycled. In many cases, plastic waste that is not incinerated or land-filled makes its way to the oceans. This floating plastic is a danger to marine life, and subsequently human life, because it may be entering our food chain (studies on this issue will be undertaken by the Project Kaisei Science Team and other researchers). One particular vast area of plastic waste is called the “Plastic Vortex,” or what is sometimes referred to as the “garbage patch,” and is within an area that is technically referred to as the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone.
Project Kaisei is currently holding a fund-raiser for this new venture. You can check out the details of this project on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/projectkaisei?sk=app_159415870778798. But hurry – there’s only four days left to go on their campaign.
