2019-03-08

OceanWise workshop seeks solutions to reduce the production of marine litter

The main focus is on expanded polystyrene (styrofoam), one of the most difficult plastic wastes to collect

The first participatory session of the OceanWise gathered yesterday, March 7, more than 50 stakeholders responsible for the environmental management, waste management, representatives of the industries of production and recycling of foamed polystyrene plastic (EPS and XPS), as well as from Fisheries, Aquaculture, Food Distribution, the Academy and non-governmental organizations related to the Environment.

The meeting was organized by the Directorate General of Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), Faculty of Science and Technology of the Nova University and Sociedade Ponto Verde, the three Portuguese partners of this international project, counting also with partners from Spain, France, Ireland and the UK.

Coordinated by DGRM, this Interreg Atlantic Area project started in 2018 aims to contribute to OSPAR's Plan of Action for Marine Litter. OSPAR is one of the marine conventions dedicated to pollution of the sea. It covers the whole area of ​​the northeast Atlantic, being represented in this international convention by the DGRM.

At the meeting in Lisbon, the participants presented ideas and technical contributions from a perspective of the Circular Economy and articulation between sectors. Opportunities and solutions have also been mentioned in the fields of regulation, innovation, information and awareness among the various actors and consumers.
With this workshop, the OceanWise project begins a series of international meetings that will take place throughout the year 2019 and aim to capture the active participation of the sectors that influence the complex problem of the loss of products discarded to the sea.

The project aims to propose updates of public policies and new good practices adopted by Industry.The OceanWise project began in 2018 and will be concluded by the end of 2020, having a total budget of about € 2.8 million.

 

Source: Oceanwise project

Published on: 2019-03-11