On May 5, ‘TERRA PROJECT by FOOTDISTRICT x Nike ACG: paddle among plastics’ embraced a comprehensive agenda focused on enjoying and protecting the ocean.
The participants took their paddleboards to the shores of the Barceloneta. After collecting some waste floating on the surface, the entire team headed to the jetty to also clean this area, which was in a much worse state. The large amount of waste that was collected there was surprising: single-use plastics, glass bottles, hygienic masks, and a multitude of garbage among the rocks.
Back on land, the local ocean conservation organizations Oceanogami and Anèl·lides hosted a thorough report on the type of waste collected: where it comes from, how long it takes to degrade, and what practices we can individually carry out to reduce waste.
A total of 7Kg of waste was collected, mostly single-use takeout containers, cigarette butts, and small plastic items such as bottle caps and ear sticks. These are some of the most remarkable data from the cleaning: 116 cigarette butts, 27 cans of drinks, 17 candy wrappers, 9 plastic bags… and a long list of products of different highly polluting materials.
Avoiding disposable plastics and increasing our use of biodegradable resources is crucial for our oceans. Plastic can persist on the surface of marine waters, accumulating in remote areas of the world’s oceans. The so-called ‘Garbage Island’ of the Pacific is the world’s largest ocean waste depository, with 1.8 billion pieces of floating plastic.
New adventures, different terrains, and great learnings are ahead. In 2021, Terra Project will host a series of Outdoor Experiences and Ocean Talks willing to revolutionize our relationship with nature and help us connect with the environment.