Nineteen-year-old Boyan Slat has a vision for our planet, starting with his new endeavor entitled the Ocean Clean Up Project. Slat’s project includes a sophisticated machine that is able to correctly identify and sift through plastic debris. Plastic breakdown in oceans is incredibly harmful to aquatic life and, ultimately, the food we consume.
The project, which is aiming to begin in 2014, is being worked on by upwards of 50 scientists, engineers and students. Slat’s website states that the goal is to remove more than 7 million kilograms of plastic from the ocean within a five year time span. The website also accepts monetary contributions for those who are in the financial position to help.
Slat’s invention also has the potential to be profitable: the machine costs no money to run, since it will operate solely from solar and wave energy, and the plastic that is collected can be sold.
Sustainable Ocean Purifying Machines
The Ocean Clean Up Project Has a Five Year Goal
Trend Themes
1. Ocean Plastic Removal - The Ocean Clean Up Project is a disruptive innovation opportunity that focuses on identifying and removing plastic debris contaminating the oceans.
2. Sustainable Machines - Innovation possibilities lie in the creation of sustainability-centric machines, as the Ocean Clean Up Project is working on creating machines that operate solely from solar and wave energy to protect the oceans while also having the potential to be profitable.
3. Environmental Preservation - The Ocean Clean Up Project is leading the way in environmental preservation and provides a potential business opportunity for companies championing sustainable practices and protecting vulnerable ecosystems.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - The Ocean Clean Up Project has disruptive innovation potential for the renewable energy sector, as the project is creating machines that run solely on solar and wave energy.
2. Waste Management - Companies involved in waste management can use the Ocean Clean Up Project as a source for developing new technologies for plastic debris removal from oceans.
3. Aquatic Life Conservation - The Ocean Clean Up Project provides innovation opportunities for companies focusing on the conservation and protection of aquatic life, as plastic pollution in oceans is incredibly harmful to them.