OLF closes the loop on marine plastics with end-of-life fishing gear disposal program

The Marine Plastics Management Program supports B.C.’s fishing industry by responsibly managing gear disposal

Source: Recycling Product News

By: Stephanie Bontorin

Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF), an organization accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and participant of marine plastic recovery and recycling, has launched the Marine Plastic Management Program (MPMP), an initiative designed to support British Columbia's fishing and aquaculture industry in responsibly managing fishing gear disposal while driving Canada's circular economy.

The MPMP is part of OLF's Strategic Management of Ghost Gear in Coastal Land, an initiative endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Ocean Decade under the Ocean Practices of the Decade Programme.

By participating in this program, businesses join a growing network of changemakers who are reducing plastic leakage into ecosystems and improving material traceability. The program supports plastic-carbon footprint reporting and aligns with extended producer responsibility (EPR) principles, helping businesses prepare for regulatory shifts while promoting long-term environmental and operational resilience.

Closing the loop on marine plastics 

"At the heart of the Marine Plastic Management Program is a commitment to innovation and environmental leadership," said Chloé Dubois, executive director, Ocean Legacy Foundation. "This program represents a transformative step forward in addressing the mounting challenge of marine plastic pollution. Through the integration of waste recovery, tracking, sorting, and recycling technologies, the MPMP makes it possible to close the loop on marine plastics by turning waste into valuable resources."

"Ocean Legacy Foundation continues to be an inspiring leader in B.C.'s circular economy, working hard to create a more sustainable future through its successful marine clean-up and recycling initiatives," said Honourable Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. "The Foundation's new Marine Plastic Membership Program will help find innovative solutions to address the challenges of marine plastics, and I am excited to see the positive impact this work will have on communities and the environment."

"Canada is taking meaningful action to address ghost gear and marine pollution, and we're seeing the results," said The Honourable Minister of Fisheries, Joanne Thompson. "With support from our Ghost Gear Program, the Ocean Legacy Foundation is transforming marine waste into everyday useful products. It's a practical example of how a green, circular economy can protect the oceans while supporting sustainable jobs and local industry on our coasts."