Hello! I'm Amy and I'm developing an education and outreach program for Waterhaul. We are a social enterprise based in Cornwall with a mission to transform the ocean’s most damaging plastic from waste to resource.
Ghost gear: fishing nets which are abandoned, lost or discarded at sea create a massive problem for our oceans, catching and entangling marine life in a vicious cycle unless removed. We transform this plastic into high quality and sustainable items such as sunglasses, eyewear, litter pickers and beach cleaning knives.
We offer a lifetime guarantee and operate with a closed loop recycling system. Any damaged products can be returned to us for recycling, so once a net is removed, that plastic really is taken out of the feedback cycle. By recycling disused fishing nets, we have also reduced the carbon footprint of the plastic components in our products by up to 95%, compared to using virgin plastic.
Our aim is to raise awareness of this widespread and damaging issue while showing the world that this ocean plastic can have value once again.
We're developing an outreach program which will use hands-on workshops to educate others about the issues surrounding ghost nets and ocean plastic but with a twist. We will not just focus on the problems that we face but also the solutions through interactive demonstrations of how the plastic can be recycled into new products.
Everyone will get to have the opportunity to really see how ocean plastic can be given a new purpose. Our project will leave everyone knowing that one person CAN make a positive difference.
Having taught marine biology for the past eight years across the globe, I have seen first hand how the problems of plastic pollution and climate change are impacting every corner of the ocean, no matter how far from land you are. Through educating others about the environmental problems we face, I have learnt how providing people with a sense of hope in-amongst all the doom and gloom leaves people feeling optimistic, rather than feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. These workshops will show people how they can make a difference and inspire them to think of their own ideas to make their impact ocean positive.
Our workshops will encourage positive environmental action, inspiring the next generation of environmental innovators. By demonstrating how we have turned this problem on its head we are providing pathways to guide others to think outside the box so they too can make their actions planet positive.
We need your help to scale up our project so we can reach more people and spread our message further. The more people we can get involved in our project, the more demand there will be for our plastic, increasing the amount of nets we can remove from the ocean.
Furthermore, when people feel hopeful about a situation, they are more likely to make changes in their own lives which will lead to better environmental protection.
Our outreach program, PlaNET Action, will bring a mini version of our real life recycling process into the community. Our specialist hand-operated shredder and injection moulder will teach our waste-into-resource concept by providing an interactive experience enabling participants to transform their beach-clean plastic into new forms and products themselves.
Our workshops are designed to:
≋ Deepen knowledge of the marine environment and the value of marine ecosystems
≋ Develop a better understanding of plastic, and how the material's incredible properties provide both opportunities and environmental hazards
≋ Give people a hands-on experience where they can be part of the recycling process
≋ Encourage a curiosity and inspire others to think about how problems can be turned on their head
≋ Allow people to engage with innovative thinking
≋ Leave people with a sense of hope that they can have a positive impact
Your donations will enable us to bring this project to life, and in turn inspire the next generation of environmental innovators!
Each product you buy, or donation you give, will provide us the vital funding necessary to develop our workshops and provide the expertise to deliver the sessions.
Our workshops will initially be based in Cornwall but the more money we raise, the further afield we will be able to deliver our program.
Help us to scale up our positive impact and reach more people!
All of the plastic in our rewards is made from 100% recycled fishing nets and lines.
Below are the rewards available, for further information on the products please visit the Waterhaul website.
We appreciate that not everyone may be able to donate but there are still ways in which you can help!
≈ Share this Crowdfunder with your social networks. Whilst our workshops are currently based in Cornwall the more support we gain the further afield we will be able to venture!
≈ Sign up to our newsletter - www.waterhaul.co and follow us on Instagram and Facebook
≈ Let us know if you have any questions, thoughts, feedback or suggestions by emailing [email protected]