Panama: implementing a city-wide approach to plastic pollution prevention

The Ocean Cleanup has taken another important step in its mission to rid the world’s oceans of plastic with the announcement of a partnership project in Central America to stop the flow of waste into the Bay of Panama.

Under a strategic alliance with local partner and non-profit Marea Verde, The Ocean Cleanup founder and CEO Boyan Slat launched the ‘Seven Basins Project’ at an event in Panama City attended by the city’s Mayor and Panama’s Minister of Environment.

Tackling one of the most urgent environmental challenges the country faces, the project aims to significantly reduce the waste that reaches the ocean from the capital’s seven major urban rivers.

An area of rich biodiversity and ecological value, mangroves and critical ecosystems, the Bay of Panama and local communities have been severely impacted by waste pollution.

The Ocean Cleanup bring global expertise and technical know-how to the collaboration which will also see them upgrade Marae Verde’s existing deployment in the city.

EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

As a first step, the installation of an Interceptor in the city’s Río Abajo will take place in the coming months with future deployments planned for the near future. This first Interceptor is being implemented with a renewed commitment by The YP Foundation to The Ocean Cleanup’s mission.

Under the alliance, with the combination of local experience and The Ocean Cleanup’s technical expertise, innovative Interceptor technologies will be deployed across the seven river systems to comprehensively stop the flow of waste, contributing to the recovery of the coastal and marine ecosystems.

And to address the waste at source, the partnership will also see the roll out of environmental education programs promoting cultural change in waste management alongside coordinated work with local authorities and communities.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

Globally, The Ocean Cleanup has, so far, removed over 21 million kilos of trash through its interventions in rivers and oceans. The journey to the adoption of a city-wide approach has evolved over the course of the past years by enhancing Interceptor capabilities and shifting from single river to broader impact projects.

After launching the Interceptor Original and River Program in November 2019 and through multiple deployments, it became clear that one solution didn’t fit all. There was an increased understanding of how to generate efficiency and to align the multifaceted tools needed for each deployment, maximizing effectiveness.

This is achieved by working with a range of key partners, such as Marea Verde, who possess a deep understanding and awareness of the specific needs of the specific area.

WORKING SMARTER AND QUICKER

Boyan Slat said: “Our mission is to rid the world’s oceans of plastic pollution and the key to achieving this is stopping pollution at its source: the rivers. Through strategic Interceptor technology planning, monitoring and research initiatives, and our alliance with Marea Verde, we can combine our proven technology and expertise with their local experience to deliver a lasting legacy in Panama.

“By implementing a more holistic approach to the problem of plastic pollution across city basins we can scale our impact and carry out our vital, collaborative work with greater efficiency to achieve our aims quicker and smarter.”

Marea Verde has been working in Panama since 2017 to mitigate solid waste pollution in rivers and coasts. The Bay of Panama is a marine ecosystem recognized as a Ramsar site.

Mirei de Heras, Co-Founder and President of Marea Verde, added: “We feel excited and confident that we will be able to transform the Bay of Panama with the Seven Basins Project. Our previous experience, the support of our donors and allies, and the technology and expertise of The Ocean Cleanup will allow us to generate a real impact in the fight against plastic pollution in our rivers and seas.”