INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology
COLLABORATION IS CRITICAL
TO ADDRESSING THE ISSUE
OF OCEAN PLASTIC AT SCALE.
THE OCEANS ARE FACING A
PLASTIC PANDEMIC AND IT IS
CRITICAL FOR COMPANIES TO
TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEIR
SUPPLY CHAINS.
NextWave members will share responsibility
in development of a sustainable model that
reduces ocean-bound plastic pollution at
scale, while creating an economic and social
benefit for multiple stakeholders. NextWave anticipates that together they
will divert more than three million pounds of
plastics from entering the ocean within five
years, the equivalent to keeping 66 million
water bottles from washing out to sea.
In addition, the group will ensure that the
resulting supply chain has the infrastructure
and support necessary to meet demand as
well as align with globally approved social
and environmental standards. Importantly, member companies have
agreed to also reduce plastic usage across
their operations and supply chains. While
working to stop the flow of ocean-bound
plastic it is critical to ensure each company
assesses its own plastic footprint and
eliminate and/or significantly reduce its own
use of single-use and non-recyclable plastics.
Finally, the initiative will confirm the integrity
of the supply chain and resulting product
integration through chain-of-custody
compliance and external, third-party
verification of impact.
The Lonely Whale, an NGO dedicated
to bringing people closer to the world’s
ocean through K-12 education, consumer
campaigns and market-based solutions will
convene the group. NextWave will actively
engage scientists and advocates working
with marine litter and ocean health to
advise on a sustainable model that supports
the needs of coastal communities and
environments. The initiative is supported
by UN Environment, with private sector
partners invited to sign up to the Clean Seas
campaign as part of their commitment.
Kevin Brown, Chief Supply Chain Officer,
Dell, said: “Collaboration is critical to
addressing the issue of ocean plastic at
scale. I’m thrilled to partner closely with
leaders across industries to advance our
collective interest in creating solutions that
create value from waste.”
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This initiative was driven out of the
relationships between Dell and the Lonely
Whale. In 2015, Dell partnered with Adrian
Grenier, founder of Lonely Whale, to educate
companies and consumers on the dangers of
ocean plastics through the Lonely Whale VR
experience, powered by Dell.
Dell launched its first ocean-bound
plastic packaging pilot in February 2017
and assisted with the launch of the UN
Environment Programme’s Clean Seas
Initiative which has led to more than 33
countries taking action to reduce marine
litter. In June Dell and Lonely Whale
addressed the United Nations at the 2017
UN Ocean Conference, where Dell pledged
its commitment to UN SDG Goal 14.
Erik Solheim, Executive Director, United
Nations Environment, said: “The oceans are
facing a plastic pandemic and it is critical
for companies to take ownership of their
supply chains and for consumers to be aware
of how their everyday choices can have a
lasting legacy. We welcome Dell and Lonely
Whale for organising this working group
and spearheading what we hope will be
a catalyst for innovation that can only be
achieved by working together.”
John Bradburn, Global Manager of Waste
Reduction, General Motors, added: “Whether
it’s turning ocean oil booms or Flint water
bottles into car parts, GM has been working
to address water-related waste. Advancing
the circular economy requires us to see items
not as what they are, but what they can
become. When we work together, cross-
industry with small and large companies
alike, we unlock even more value from these
resources and multiply the positive impact.”
Dell has a history of supporting
programmes that further enable a circular
economy as a part of its 2020 Legacy of
Good Plan. If you would like to learn more
about the initiative visit NextWave-Plastics.
org, and to learn more about Dell’s work
in ocean plastics, please visit Dell’s Ocean
Plastics Program page.
Dell Inc., a part of Dell Technologies, provides
customers of all sizes – including 98% of
the Fortune 500 – with a broad, innovative
portfolio from edge to core to cloud. Dell
Inc. comprises Dell client as well as Dell
EMC infrastructure offerings that enable
organisations to modernise, automate and
transform their data centres while providing
today’s workforce and consumers with what
they need to securely connect, produce and
collaborate from anywhere at any time. n
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