Plastic Fischer & igus GmbH's to Combat Ocean Plastic Pollution

Plastic Fischer, a non-profit organization, has been making significant progress in reducing plastic pollution in oceans. With over 1,000 rivers contributing to the plastic waste found in the seas every year, Plastic Fischer has been collecting and processing plastic waste from rivers in India and Indonesia since 2021. This initiative is supported by igus GmbH, a plastics specialist company in Cologne that is financing the collection of 10,000 kilograms of plastic waste.

According to Plastic Fischer, their approach is up to 300 times more cost-effective than fishing plastic from the sea. The initiative has already collected over 520 tons of plastic waste in India and Indonesia, and a new project in Vietnam is currently being planned. The work is verified by Empower AS to ensure transparency and that no kilogram is counted twice.

Plastic Fischer uses a triple-L approach that involves using local, low-tech, and low-cost solutions. They have developed their own "TrashBooms," built from locally available materials, for collecting plastic waste from rivers. The system consists of a robust steel frame, tubes as a float, and a galvanized grid that stops plastic waste. The collected waste is then sorted, and all recyclable materials are fed back into the supply chain. Non-recyclable waste is sent for thermal recycling, where it is burned and used as a source of energy.

To increase the collected plastic's recyclability, Plastic Fischer is working with local start-ups to find alternative solutions. igus is also promoting the circular economy for plastics by developing products from recycled materials and launching its own recycling initiative for technical plastics called "Chainge." The company supports innovative approaches such as the HydroPRS technology of Mura Technology, which converts plastic waste back into crude oil in just 30 minutes.

Plastic Fischer's initiative has not only helped combat marine pollution but also created full-time jobs locally, promoting the local economy. Their efforts are a step towards a more sustainable future, and with the support of companies like igus, Plastic Fischer hopes to continue making a positive impact on our planet.

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