Italian boatbuilding powerhouse Azimut Benetti has signed a partnership with Ogyre, which recovers plastic waste from the sea. The idea is to work on collecting plastic from the oceans, as well as to start a feasibility study for a new marine waste collection hub in Tuscany, Italy.
Goals include collecting 18,000 pounds of plastic from the seas in 2025 through the work of local fishing communities. At the same time, the feasibility study will explore how Ogyre could operate a marine waste collection hub in a way that involves institutions and the community, thus spreading a greater culture of respect for the environment.
The move by Azimut Benetti comes after numerous other actions to support sustainability in yachting. The group’s brands, most notably, have helped to reduce carbon dioxide emissions on yachts. The marine waste collection hub in Tuscany would be located between Livorno and Viareggio, both major boatbuilding regions in Italy.
According to Azimut Benetti, the partnership with Ogyre is intended to protect the oceans on a global level. The waste collection will be concentrated in three countries: Italy, Brazil and Indonesia, which are seriously affected by pollution.
The Mediterranean Sea’s semi-closed geography makes it more vulnerable to plastic accumulation, while in Brazil and Indonesia, there are highly contaminated rivers that transport large quantities of waste to the sea.
Ogyre collaborates with local fishing communities, providing them with equipment, logistical support, training and financial compensation. This operating model not only promotes the protection of the oceans, but also creates income opportunities and strengthens the resilience of coastal communities.
How much plastic is out there in the oceans, waiting to be collected? According to a World Wildlife Fund report, the Mediterranean has a density of microplastics that’s four times higher than the Pacific “plastic island.” Plastic makes up 95 percent of the waste present in the Mediterranean, in particular, along the stretch of sea by Tuscany, where sea currents are fed by the mouths of the Arno, Tiber and Sarno rivers.
Where to learn more: go to azimutbenetti.com
