THE BLUE NETWORK
THE BLUE NETWORK
ELIMINATING PLASTIC WASTE THROUGH
SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND INNOVATION
Switzerland
Osaka, Japan
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A GLOBAL PROBLEM
Plastic pollution has become one of the most urgent environmental issues of today. There are 3 billion kg of plastic floating in our oceans, 400 million kg are added every year and the amount of plastic consumption is growing annually at a rate of 4%. Plastic waste is thus a global, economic, environmental and health problem that represents a complex and multi-dimensional challenge. It requires global solutions that link knowledge, education, innovation, and all relevant stakeholders.
Photo credit: The Ocean Cleanup
THE BLUE NETWORK
SCIENCE
INNOVATION
EDUCATION
The Blue Network, is a novel, global and impact oriented network to define and drive solutions to local plastic waste problems with our global experience. Our network will initiate collaborative projects between Switzerland , Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) and Japan (Osaka). The projects will be developed in three foci; Science, Education and Innovation with the aim to foster international cooperations, thus bringing more visibility to existing solutions and help to connect international stakeholders.
PROJECT FOCI
SCIENCE
INNOVATION
EDUCATION
Scientific Expeditions in Brazil and Japan collecting smaller sized micro-plastics below 0.3 mm
Examination of uptake and concen-tration levels of microplastics in sea-food
Push and conduct Citizen Science Initiatives
Build a publicly accessible walk-in information cube in each country that acts as a com-munication center
Educational and Sensitization events around the theme of plastic waste (reducing use, recycling, and pollution)
Foster innovative strategies and projects including the implemen-tation of drinking water refill stations, reusable lunch boxes and cup systems etc. to reduce plastic consumption
Creating sustainable, community-based projects that remove existing waste, and reduce future waste by inspiring long-term behaviour change
Encourage tourism to introduce new measures to reduce plastic consumption
Creating a circular economy for plastic
The Blue Network offers an unique opportunity to develop your network for projects in plastic waste reduction, market your solutions and products, and participate in educational workshops and innovation events.
PROGRAM STEPS
We are seeking industrial, governmental and
academic partners who can work on joint
projects in Japan and/or Brazil, and thus
demonstrate their interest in solving this
global problem. Researchers, SMEs, large industries, and startups, as well as local officials are all welcome to partner with us and share their ideas and projects.
