Feasibility Study for Onboard Marine Debris Gathering and Recycling

Abstract

It is well known that approximately 90% of all marine debris consists of reusable plastics. Small plastic particles are easily swallowed and disturb marine ecosystems. However, cleaning up marine debris is difficult because of its economic feasibility. Though there are many proven land-based recycling processes available, the high costs of gathering marine debris and transporting it adds to marine debris-related problems. Marine debris cleanup is challenging despite various studies that point to its importance. Therefore, we discuss a recycling chain that concerns gathering, transporting, classifying, recycling, and disposing of marine debris on the ocean. In this study, cost-effective ways of cleaning up large-scale marine litter such as garbage patches are studied. As plastics generate toxic materials during recycling and disposing, this study focuses on how to apply technological potential and meets the required rules and regulations for establishing an economically and environmentally friendly recycling chain for marine debris. In this study, a new type of marine platform is also studied and suggested for a low-energy consumption process and to recycle this debris into oil, gas, and raw materials.