Marine litter is one of the main enviromental problems with which the oceans are confronted. Continental Portugal and the Autonomous Region of Azores share common challanges, like policy over the sea and the sea in a scenario of waste, given the archipelago of Azores is also not immune to this global problem. There have been studies done to quantify/classify the marine litter in Azores.
Considering the socioeconomical role played by the fishing industry of the Azores, the project is an oportunity to use and develop new and innovative raw materials, transforming marine litter, which is presently little or not at all valued, into a market of excellency, as its "supplier".
To answer these challanges, the project will utilize to their maximum the studies already done and in development by the Universities of Azores and Minho, in their R&D Centres. And, in conjunction with local communities, will collect marine litter and beach residues to develop new threads and fibers for new subproducts. The main activities include the analysis, caracterization, quantification of residues, collection, triage, residue processing, scientific studies about the fibers obtained, development of threads and fibers, and their transformation into fabric and insulating blankets.
Waste will be quantified, analysed, and afterward, presented in a data sharing platform of statistics and scientific studies.