News Release

Diverse Stakeholders Address Problem of Marine Debris

Industry, Government, NGOs and Foundations look to forge partnerships, establish nationwide anti-litter education agenda and encourage recycling, as steps toward solution

(La Jolla, California) – In an effort to tackle the present and growing problem of marine debris, a diverse group of industry representatives, federal and state government officials and representatives from non-governmental organizations and foundations joined forces to explore partnerships and increase education about the harsh impacts of litter and the importance of recycling.

At the recently–concluded Marine Debris Solutions Workshop in La Jolla, California, these national leaders identified partnerships, the value of nationwide anti-litter education, and an increased focus on recycling as key components of a strategy to combat the problem of marine debris.

“We all agree that the problem of marine debris needs to be addressed, and we brought the best minds to the table to begin the discussion and develop a strategy for finding a solution,” said Sharon Kneiss, vice president, products divisions, American Chemistry Council.  ACC was a key sponsor of the two-day workshop.

After hearing the viewpoints of a wide variety of speakers representing federal and state agencies, the business community and spokespersons from non-governmental organizations from around the country, workshop attendees synthesized the visions and perspectives shared, and crafted a set of agreed-upon steps for moving forward with a plan of action to address the situation.  The stakeholders will advance their “solutions agenda” with three tangible goals:

• Promoting and sustaining key partnerships;
• Developing a nationwide education strategy that promotes litter control as a cultural norm;
• Increasing recycling, particularly of plastics, as a cornerstone of the anti-litter education effort.

One partnership that has already been established is between the California State Department of Parks and Recreation, Keep California Beautiful (KCB) and ACC.  This collaboration has already
resulted in increased recycling opportunities and public outreach in several California coastal communities.

“The partnership with State Parks and the plastics industry has increased awareness of the value of recycling and decreased waste, and we are excited to build more partnerships with the non-profit organizations, industries and government agencies represented at the Marine Debris Solutions Workshop,” said Christine Flowers-Ewing, KCB Executive Director. “All of the participants agreed that getting the message to Californians and the entire nation that littering is an unacceptable behavior anywhere…anytime, is key to decreasing marine debris.  Preventing litter from getting into our oceans is a goal we all share. 

Workshop partners will release an official report on the conference findings in December, 2007.  In early 2008, those same partners will begin to develop a framework for the nationwide anti-litter and recycling education programs.