Transforming Waste into Treasure: Boretech Injects New Technology into Marine Plastic Reduction

With the escalating issue of plastic pollution, marine plastic waste has become a major challenge in global environmental governance. Approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste flow into the ocean each year, posing a significant ecological threat. Marine plastics not only endanger aquatic life but also threaten human health.

The United Nations Environment Programme's report From Pollution to Solution highlights that plastic products have become the largest, most harmful, and most persistent portion of marine litter, accounting for at least 85% of total marine waste. Even more alarming is the fact that plastics do not biodegrade (naturally break down in an environmentally harmless manner). Instead, they fragment into increasingly smaller pieces over time, eventually degrading into microplastics (less than 5mm in diameter) and nanoplastics (less than 1 micron in diameter). These plastics have already entered the human body through air, water, and the food chain, posing multiple threats to both ecosystems and human health. Studies have found that people ingest microplastics through breathing, eating, and even skin contact, raising serious concerns about their potential impacts.

Data shows that around 640,000 tons of fishing gear are abandoned or lost in the ocean globally each year. Taking the Taiwan region of China as an example, an average of 12.7 cubic meters of marine litter accumulates per kilometer of coastline, 70% of which is caused by fishing gear. Approximately 2,722 tons of fishing gear are lost to the ocean annually, while 1,172 tons require maintenance, 1,062 tons are stored in ports, and 3,529 tons reach the end of their service life. In terms of waste management, the region recycles 1,538 tons of discarded fishing gear, incinerates 2,630 tons, and landfills 103 tons. This paints a bleak picture of fishing gear disposal: tons of commercial fishing gear are dumped into the ocean each year, while over a ton of discarded gear remains untreated in ports for storage.

Plastic recycling, as an effective solution to marine pollution, is gradually gaining widespread adoption. Among marine plastic waste, ropes and fishing nets are particularly significant for recycling. These items are ubiquitous in the ocean, occupying marine space and posing threats to marine life. Especially in fishing activities, abandoned nets often entangle marine animals, causing injury or even death.

To address the technical challenges of marine plastic recycling, Boretech has innovatively developed a washing and recycling system for soft film plastics. This washing line achieves two major technological breakthroughs through optimized blade design and improved washing processes: first, it extends blade lifespan by 80%, significantly reducing maintenance costs; second, it employs advanced water circulation technology, achieving a 90% water reuse rate and effectively minimizing water consumption. This innovative solution not only enhances the efficiency of marine plastic recycling but also strikes a balance between environmental sustainability and economic feasibility. After collection and processing, these waste materials can be repurposed for manufacturing new ropes, fishing nets, or even construction materials and textiles.

With continuous advancements in recycling technology, the recovery and reuse of marine plastics are poised to become a vital eco-friendly industry. Boretech’s achievements mark a significant step forward in this field. Through technological innovation and industrial collaboration, more substantial progress is expected in tackling marine plastic pollution in the future.