Cleaning the Adriatic Sea and Recycling Plastic Caps

The problem

Plastic waste in the Adriatic Sea and along the coastline poses a serious environmental threat, endangering marine life, disrupting ecosystems, and causing long-term damage to the environment. Another key challenge is the underutilization of plastic waste as a valuable resource. Sustainable solutions are needed not only to remove plastic waste from the environment but also to encourage its reuse. Maritimo Recycling addresses this challenge by combining marine clean-up efforts with plastic recycling and the production of new, useful products.

The solution

Maritimo Recycling carries out clean-up initiatives in the Adriatic Sea, its seabed, and along the coastline, with a particular focus on collecting plastic waste, including plastic bottle caps. The collected plastic is transported to the organization’s workshop and recycling facility in Dubrovnik, where it is sorted, cleaned, washed, dried, and shredded before being processed into new, useful, and durable products, such as sunglasses and other everyday items.

The organization also develops its own plastic recycling machines to make recycling more accessible and practical for smaller communities. The project is based on the principles of the circular economy, treating plastic waste as a valuable resource that can be recovered and reused. This approach helps reduce the amount of waste entering the environment and encourages more responsible use of natural resources.

The project contributes to the preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems and raises awareness of the importance of environmental protection. Its activities also benefit the local community by helping create a cleaner environment, promoting sustainable practices, and developing innovative solutions for plastic recycling.