Macro and microplastic pollution in our oceans is a global issue. It is big and will be persistent for generations. At Wärtsilä Water and Waste we support all effective and sustainable efforts by the maritime community to address sea-based source of marine plastics. We also seek to be a proactive contributor to this cause ourselves.
Let's take a look at our Membrane BioReactor system, for instance. This solution is designed to process a ship's black and grey water streams to surpass the most stringent performance standards and to remove all micro and nano plastics from effluent discharges. Also, our Reverse Osmosis plants, used for onboard freshwater generation, effectively remove microplastics from sea water.
When it comes to operations, Wärtsilä Water & Waste puts great effort in minimising and eliminating the use of plastics in packaging, logistic, and treatment processes. Together with other industrial players, we pledge to improve the MARPOL Convention to discontinue the discharge of macro-plastics via ships sewage and grey water discharges from all ships, in all waters, and at all time (article: https://www.wartsila.com/waw/media/news/07-02-2022-ships-discharge-10-000-cubic-meters-of-litter-a-year-from-sewage).
The shipping industry does not generate plastics of its own. To address the plastics issue from its source, together with the rest of our society, is key to the future of our oceans. No effort is or should be too small!