In an era of environmental crises, the Ocean Legacy Foundation stands as a beacon of hope and innovation. Founded in 2014 by Chloé Dubois and James Middleton, this Canadian organization has carved a niche for itself with its revolutionary EPIC approach—education and research, policy and advocacy, infrastructure development, and cleanup and restoration—aimed at combating the daunting challenge of plastic pollution.
Ocean Legacy develops and implements worldwide plastic pollution response programs to end plastic pollution. Ocean Legacy combines innovative technologies, education, policymaking, and skills training to convert plastic pollution into economic value, while also collaboratively tailoring tools built with local communities to prevent plastic pollution and protect the local environment. The purpose of EPIC is to create an accessible model to assist with restoring critical natural ecosystems for improved human and wildlife health, as well as assess and develop long-term plastic collection, processing infrastructure, policies, and cleanup to mitigate plastic pollution sources.
The Birth of a Vision
Ocean Legacy’s journey began with a profound realization of the vast scale of plastic pollution during tours of global and local environments. These explorations, including witnessing the aftermath of the Japanese tsunami on British Columbian shores, spurred the founders to action. The result was the creation of a comprehensive plastic capture and processing program that not only addresses immediate clean-up needs but also fosters long-term sustainability through education, policy advocacy, and infrastructural development.
Ten years later, Ocean Legacy has established a comprehensive plastic pollution response program known as EPIC, encompassing a 15-hour online academy and unique field training opportunities, a cutting-edge marine plastics processing facility with robust depot collection, extensive industrially-scale cleanup projects, and the provision of evidence-based policy guidance. The team at Ocean Legacy has removed over 3 million pounds of debris from over 2,500 kilometers of shoreline and water environments and has diverted more than 2.7 million pounds of material away from landfills. Their processing operations are expanding into Atlantic Canada, working with community partners to create a national strategic plan for collecting and processing the bulk of select marine plastic waste management for North America.
Adapting to Environmental Trends
At the heart of Ocean Legacy’s strategy is its alignment with the circular economy—a systemic approach to economic development designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment. Through the integration of innovative technologies and strong educational programs, Ocean Legacy effectively transforms plastic waste into valuable resources, thus reducing debris and encouraging sustainable practices.
Their efforts are also in line with the increasing global focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, as businesses and consumers alike demand greater transparency in sustainability efforts. Ocean Legacy’s data-driven approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also supports informed decision-making and policy development, contributing significantly to global ESG initiatives.
Technological Innovations and Community Engagement
Technological advancements play a crucial role in Ocean Legacy’s operations, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of its cleanup and recycling efforts. From advanced processing equipment to data analytics and advanced occupational health and safety, these technologies enable the organization to handle large volumes of waste and safely turn them into reusable materials.
Moreover, the foundation emphasizes strong community and sector engagement, particularly with Indigenous communities, ensuring that projects reflect local values and contribute to meaningful environmental restoration. This collaborative approach has proven essential in developing sustainable solutions that are both effective and respectful of local traditions and knowledge.
2023: A Year of Milestones
For Ocean Legacy, the year 2023 marked significant achievements. The foundation expanded its operations to Atlantic Canada, launched a nylon processing line, launched operations in Guatemala, and constructed a plastics innovation and testing lab that offers comprehensive services to the public and businesses aiming to integrate recycled content into their products. These advancements not only bolstered their operational capabilities but also reinforced their commitment to fostering circular and blue economies.
A Game Changer for Ocean Legacy’s XaaS Model
Ocean Legacy’s ‘Everything as a Service’ (XaaS) model is transforming the marketplace by providing interconnected services that address the entire plastic waste lifecycle. This model ensures comprehensive solutions that are scalable, replicable, and capable of making a substantial global impact. Ocean Legacy is leading the way in sustainable plastic waste management, from large-scale cleanups and educational programs to advanced recycling services and technological innovations.
Distinctive Solutions for a Cleaner Future
What sets Ocean Legacy apart is its dedicated focus on not only collecting but recycling plastics recovered from ocean, shoreline, and marine industrial plastics—a niche that few have ventured into. Ocean Legacy is the only facility in North America solely dedicated to processing these plastics without adding additives, providing a value-added material focused on decarbonizing conventional virgin plastics.
Looking Ahead: Legacy Plastic Products and Beyond
As Ocean Legacy looks to the future, it plans to expand its range of Legacy Plastic products, further enhancing its market presence and continuing to drive innovations in plastic recycling. The foundation is also exploring the development of quantifying the carbon present in all the plastics it diverts and recycles to better understand the impact its customers are having on the planet by using recycled content. The correlation between carbon and plastic is often overlooked when completing a carbon footprint analysis, an oversight that Ocean Legacy aspires to highlight and correct as communities continue to develop climate resiliency modeling and planning.
A Call to Action
Through its EPIC approach, Ocean Legacy not only addresses the symptoms of plastic pollution but also tackles its root causes by fostering systemic change and sustainable development. As Ocean Legacy Foundation and the entire team move forward, the foundation urges businesses, governments, and individuals to join in its efforts, leveraging its comprehensive solutions to combat one of the most pressing environmental issues of recent times.
The Ocean Legacy Foundation is not just cleaning up the planet; it is transforming our relationship with it, paving the way for a sustainable future where economic development and environmental health go hand in hand.
