VeChain (VET) verifies results of a 305 metric tonne plastic clean-up in the ocean
The blockchain found usage in verifiably tracing the results of an ecological project.
ReSea Project, a Danish company with a community-driven solution to remove plastic from oceans and rivers in Indonesia, shared their Cleanup Impact Status on Linkedin yesterday, stating they cleared 305 metric tonnes of plastic waste from the ocean and verified the results using VeChain.
“Our collection data from January-April 2021 is now verified by DNV and we are happy to share with you that we’ve removed 305.239,62 kg (672,938.17 lbs) of plastic waste from oceans and rivers,” they said in the post.
Highest level of traceability
VeChain’s ‘ToolChain platform’ traced the clean-up process, tracking plastic waste from the extraction point, how it was sorted, and when it was delivered at a local waste bank.
The platform, based on blockchain technology, secures real-time data and records all the steps within the scope of certification. This enables DNV to digitally monitor and audit all plastic collections at all times, notifying all of the involved parties of any irregularities.
The ReSea project is only the second in the world certified to the DNV’s Chain of Custody Standard for Plastics Retrieved in the Hydrosphere. The standard requirements assure the traceability and integrity of reclaimed plastic from any body of water.
DNV is an expert assurance and risk management company that issued the first-ever traceability standard for verifying the authenticity and origin of the recovered ocean and river plastic.
Community-driven solution
The certification helps push forward the cleanup efforts in Indonesia, the world’s second-largest contributor to ocean plastic pollution. As an independent third party, DNV also ensures fair compensation to cleanup teams, as people from local communities in Indonesia are employed to remove plastic waste from rivers and oceans.
With a community-driven solution, ReSea is improving living conditions and raising awareness in areas with poor waste management. The high level of transparency into the collection process enables businesses to trust their involvement has an environmental and social impact.
According to the Center for Biological diversity, the world is currently witnessing a global tragedy for our oceans and sea life. Accumulating plastic found in floating garbage patches already make up about 40 percent of the world’s ocean surfaces and at current rates, plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050.
Besides reducing plastic consumption and improving waste management, large-scale cleanup solutions are crucial in mitigating the plastic pollution crisis. And seems like blockchain can help with that.