http://j.people.com.cn/n3/2023/1031/c95952-20091307.html
http://english.scio.gov.cn/videos/2023-10/31/content_116784757.htm
https://www.unep.org/championsofearth/laureates/2023/blue-circle
http://english.scio.gov.cn/videos/2023-10/31/content_116784757.htmThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced on October 30 that the UN Champions of the Earth Awards, the highest honor in the field of environmental protection, will be awarded to China’s new model for marine plastic litter recovery, the Blue Circle, in recognition of the model’s outstanding contribution to nearshore plastic litter governance. The UN Champions of the Earth Awards will recognize outstanding contributions to nearshore plastic litter governance by China’s new model for marine plastic litter collection. Xinhua reported.
In a statement released on the same day, UNEP said that the “Blue Circle” model utilizes technologies such as blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) to achieve visibility and traceability of all stages of marine plastic pollution collection, recycling, remanufacturing, and resale, and has collected over 10,000 tons of marine debris to date. This is the largest marine plastic litter collection project in China, and it won the “Entrepreneurial Vision” category of the “Earth Awards,” the company said.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said in a statement, “We must put an end to plastic pollution for the sake of our health and the global environment. This requires a thorough transformation, a reduction in plastic production, a shakeout of single-use plastics, and a shift towards recycling systems and alternatives to avoid the negative environmental and social impacts of plastic pollution. This year’s winners have shown that innovative governance plans can certainly be effective and have inspired a rethinking of the relationship between humanity and plastics,” he said.
The search for an “indigo cycle” model began in 2020 in China’s Zhejiang Province, with the joint participation of coastal residents, fishermen, vessels, and several companies. The “Blue Circle” model was launched in 2020 in Zhejiang Province, China, with the joint participation of coastal residents, fishermen, vessels, and several enterprises, which involved the participation of coastal residents in the collection of marine plastic litter and cooperation with plastic application enterprises.
The “Earth Prize” is the UN’s highest honor in the field of environmental protection, awarded annually to individuals, groups, and institutions that have made a transformative impact on environmental protection. 2023 saw a total of 2,500 entries, five of which were awarded for their innovative solutions and transformative actions against plastic pollution.