Dow commits US$2.8 mn toward efforts to reduce marine debris

US firm Dow Chemical has committed to spend US$2.8 million over the next two years to drive solutions that address global marine debris and litter. The company made the announcement at the inaugural Our Ocean Conference in Washington, D.C., hosted by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Dow, in alignment with the global plastics industry and key association partners, says it recognises marine debris and litter as a critical issue and is committed to collaborating to address this global challenge with effective science-based solutions. The efforts are also aligned to its 2025 Sustainability Goals and to advance a circular economy by delivering solutions to close resource loops and increase the rate of recycling and reuse of plastics.

Approximately half of the support will go toward sponsorship of collaborative projects such as the Ocean Conservancy’s research and waste management pilot programs and to support educational programs to promote recycling and prevent littering.

The other half of Dow’s support will support ongoing research such as that being done by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation involving the development of new technologies to create a more circular economy while advancing opportunities to turn waste into a valuable end-state This includes work to increase the recyclability of flexible packaging and driving the development of chemical recycling technologies to convert non-recycled plastics into feedstocks that can be used to make new materials.

Dow is already a member of a global coalition led by the Ocean Conservancy that includes industry leaders, ocean advocates, analytical advisors, donors and government agencies committed to identifying the causes and developing solutions to prevent waste from entering the seas. This coalition has issued a report identifying the major pathways of plastic leakage into the ocean and identified solutions for these countries to properly concentrate and treat the plastic waste before it makes its way into the ocean.

The company also supports The Declaration of the Global Plastics Association for Solutions on Marine Debris, which has signatures from over 60 associations spanning 34 countries.