Upcycle the Gyres Society (UpGyres) is a foundation dedicated to making the ocean a plastic free zone. The ocean is essential to the livelihood of billions of humans as well as to the earth’s ecology and biodiversity. Plastic is threatening the survival of our oceans.
This hazardous product is deadly and is killing off key elements in our oceans. Plastic is leading to the destruction of our oceans. Along with all the life forms that rely on the ocean for survival. UpGyres was born in Canada during the Z Day Vancouver Summit of 2012.
This summit was convened to discuss how the earth and mankind are one, and to brainstorm ideas to make the world a better place today for tomorrow. The idea to clean the oceans from harmful plastic pollution will put an end to the senseless slaughter of marine life and habitats.
From 2013, UpGyres has been a leading force in the campaign to ban plastic microbeads in cosmetics and toiletries. In 2014, they hosted the first ever Clean Up the Oceans in Vancouver and 2015 the Canadian government banned plastic microbeads in cosmetics and toiletries.
What is Gyres?
A gyre is a system of rotating currents naturally occurring within our oceans. Our oceans have about five gyres, since increased influx of non-biodegradable waste, these gyres have clogged with massive amounts of plastic from all over the world.
Plastics mixes together in gyres forming a soupy mixture polluting water. Larger pieces of plastic float to the top and become plastic islands or even a plastic ocean. Fish and mammals ingest this plastic and end up dying as a result, but it has come to the attention of scientists that because we consume sea life, we are also ingesting this plastic.
What is Upcycling?
Upcycling is the process of turning non-biodegradable waste into products with a higher environmental value. As the eco movement becomes more sophisticated and the public becomes more involved, there are improvements in the processes.
Upcycling refers to upgraded version of recycling. Where something longer useful does not contribute to society, and is actually just harmful and turning it into something that can be used and contributes value.
The Issue
Plastic is a danger to marine life in the fact that sea animals will consume plastic floating in the ocean, mistaking it for food. Plastic gets tangled inside marine life making them think they’re full leading to eventual starvation.
UpGyres organizes clean up campaigns and groups of physicians to help injured sea life. When you contribute to UpGyres, you become one of those physicians and actively contribute to the process of cleaning up the oceans.
All About UpGyres
UpGyres informs the value and danger of plastic to the public. They create the needed technology, equipment and methodology to retrieve plastic and remedy the damage already inflicted. They implement solutions for creating revenue and resources from discarded plastics.
UpGyres has a strong relationship with scientists and technology suppliers. Allowing them to gather the necessary metrics and data needed to come up with solutions for the plastic problem. UpGyres has the attention of experts in the fields of high performance biomimetic robots, micro plastic filtration, renewable energy systems and storage for marine vehicles.
The organisation is dedicated to coming up with real solutions to a real problem. They educate the public about the problems facing the oceans due to our waste. The first step to coming up with a sustainable solution is knowledge and information.
Strategy
The strategy is:
- Educating and raising awareness by going to schools, businesses, governments.
- Informing others about health and ecological issues
- Providing solutions related to oceanic plastic pollution.
- Preventing pollution by directing plastic to a point source
- Cleaning up the oceans by using Regenerative Technologies, Integrative design and Therapeutic processes.
What can you do?
As a humans, we are consuming our own plastic waste. There’s 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the ocean, that makes about 269, 000 metric tons of waste that is not going anywhere except into the stomachs of marine life.
Fish eat plastic, one fish eats another fish, its is then caught lands up on a dinner plate. You are eating plastic. Worrying enough, Fact remains oceans are systematically being strangled. Toxic waste remains dumped into oceans.
There’s no quick fixes to this problem, It will take years to undo what’s already done. We need to raise awareness and support the efforts in place to clean up the ocean. Turn non-biodegradable waste into something that has value.
UpGyres is making leaps into the development of tools that will aid us in the mission to clean up the ocean. Not only that but they have many practical solutions in place that will aid in the cleaning up of the ocean. They strive to educate and upcycle the gyres.
This will take time, but at the end of the day, it is better to making slow progress than none at all. They have campaigns, projects and events that help them in their goal that will benefit us all. This includes cutting off the problem at the source and developing sustainable clean up solutions.
Obviously, they are doing a good job, but how can you help?
Solution
It is simple you can donate anything you can spare to their cause. Inform others about the initiatives or use your own business or company to become a sponsor. Become associated with the brand to raise awareness.
You could become a volunteer and help out at one of their events, after all many hands make work light. Share their web page, upgyres.org, and tell your friends about their initiatives. Do your part today, help the ocean become a plastic free zone.