Recycllux is making use of the satellite Earth Observation (EO) data and applies machine-learning algorithms to identify the marine plastic litter problem spots, where actions need to be taken. Then, it uses blockchain to incentivize the collectors and encourage recycling. Our solution is enabling end-to-end recycling interventions.
The success of a marine plastic collection interventions is dependent on the ability to extract more plastic on a larger scale and at a faster rate. We have implemented an automated process based remote satellite sensing (maxing use of the big open EO data currently made available by space agencies) to identify a distinct spectral signature of plastic aggregations picked up from orbit. It is not about spotting individual floating litter items, since they are smaller than the minimum-sized objects that satellites can observe and, typically, marine plastic debris gathers in what are known as garbage patches, or larger areas of plastic accumulation.
Building on the research from my PHD thesis (Techniques for searching and retrieving heterogeneous data in the context of semantic applications), we have developed a ML algorithm that combines different data silos (EO images and sensory data that lacks semantics, wind or water currents data, etc) to accurately identify the plastic garbage patches and send the collectors to the exact waste removal location. We are currently working on increasing the accuracy of the model.
PA1 - Planning and managing sea uses at the regional level
PA2 - Development of offshore marine multi-use infrastructures to support the blue economy
PA5 - Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO) test use cases at EU sea-basins and the Atlantic Ocean
Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership to: (1) Co-create robust and replicable social, governance, ecological and environmental tools to meet conservation and/or restoration objectives of coastal and marine ecosystems in socially sustainable and acceptable ways. This includes technological-ecological synergies (e.g., relying on the synergistic use of Earth Observation data to implement an and seamless monitoring and management of the marine and coastal environments) in an integrated systems approach that recognizes the potential co-benefits that exist in combining technological and nature-based solutions for effective restoration, rehabilitation, and conservation. (2) Improve resilience and adaptation potential of coastal and marine ecosystems and improved provision of their ecosystem services, in particular in relation to climate change mitigation/adaptation. To achieve this, the involvement of national and local authorities and coastal communities is required to ensure innovative management practices, developing adequate facilitation and mediation skills applied through a proactive approach that targets local populations and land & sea use planning decision‐makers, and all relevant stakeholders, allowing for co-creation of solutions.
blue economy partnership, resilience and adaptation potential of coastal and marine ecosystems, marine plastic pollution, nature based solutions