One of the major challenges for our society was the pollution of the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes. An estimated 150 million tonnes of plastic were already in our oceans, and every year more than 10 million tonnes are added to this. Huge carpets of plastic waste have already formed on the world’s oceans.
This was often deadly for birds, fish and other marine life that eat garbage particles or get caught in them. When the plastic waste gets pulverised by the sea’s movements, it becomes microplastic and threatens the health of animals – and ultimately via the food chain humans as well. Moreover, there are negative economic consequences: the littering damages tourism, fishing and technical structures such as desalination plants.
The German environment organisation One Earth – One Ocean e.V. (OEOO) has dedicated itself to fighting this problem. With the “Maritime Waste Collection”, OEOO has developed a comprehensive concept for the collection and sustainable recycling of marine waste. Special waste collection vessels collect, sort and process plastic in coastal areas and estuaries. In addition, other waste, oil and chemicals are also disposed of. The organisation’s collection ships were already being used in projects in Germany, Cambodia, Brazil, Indonesia and Egypt. All projects are financed by donations.
Lottoland’s head office is located directly by the sea, so the issue of marine pollution is dealt with on a daily basis. Lottoland CEO Nigel Birrell was very concerned how the oceans were increasingly polluted with plastic and was enthusiastic about the OEOO projects. The initial Lottoland donation was used to finance a special waste recycling ship and for the training and employment of a crew of seven. This donation marked the beginning of Lottoland’s long commitment.
