Pioneering Ocean Plastics Recycling Takes Place in Kodiak
In November 2020, former Kodiak fisherman Patrick Simpson founded Alaska Plastic Recovery (APR) and revolutionized plastic recycling in Alaska. Nearly four years later, the company is still not profitable. But it has already saved the lives of thousands of birds, marine mammals and fish; employed about 20 people, half from Alaska (currently seven employees); and partnered with the Yakutat Tlingit tribe to process marine debris collected from their shores.Plastic waste is not accepted for reuse in Anchorage, but APR creates useful building products from recycled plastics from ocean plastic debris, residential recycling programs and industrial cleanup efforts.
APR’s processing plant is mobile, allowing it to travel from one community to another, where recycled plastics are stored. It converts the plastic into valuable building products, such as “Grizzly Wood” and recycled plastic bricks, which are sold through local retail channels. This recycling model is very beneficial to Alaska’s rural coastal communities. Grizzly Wood (APR’s trademarked plastic lumber) is recognized for its durability compared to traditional wood. It is a sustainable material that is increasingly being used for decks, walkways, picnic tables, fence posts and other outdoor applications. Sol de Medianoche interviewed Pat Simpson: Is this the only company in the state that specializes in marine debris recovery and recycling? No, Ocean Plastic Recovery also has a project underway to collect and reprocess plastic debris from the ocean. It is said that if all the plastics in the world’s oceans were gathered, they would form a compact island the size of a continent. Is the Arctic the ocean with the most serious problem? The idea that all the plastics in the world’s oceans would form an island the size of a continent is a striking way to convey the magnitude of ocean pollution. When it comes to the severity of plastic pollution in different oceans, the Arctic faces some unique challenges, but is not necessarily the most severely affected overall. The Arctic Ocean is experiencing increasing levels of plastic pollution, primarily due to its unique position and changing conditions. Plastics from other regions are transported to the Arctic via ocean currents, and melting sea ice can release debris previously trapped in the ocean. The Arctic’s remote location also makes cleanup and monitoring difficult. However, the Pacific Ocean, particularly the North Pacific, has some of the highest concentrations of plastic pollution, especially in areas such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This patch is one of the best known and most studied accumulations of plastic debris in the world. Overall, while the Arctic certainly faces challenges related to plastic pollution, it is not necessarily the ocean with the most severe problem compared to others such as the North Pacific. Each ocean has its own issues and different levels of pollution, but efforts to address this global problem are crucial in all regions. What marine species can be saved by eliminating plastic in the Arctic? All birds, marine mammals and some fish. Microplastics are a serious risk to filter feeders such as whales. Birds eat the colorful plastics and cannot digest them, so their full stomachs do not allow nutrients to enter, causing them to starve to death. For more information or questions, APR can be reached at 907-444-5860 or [email protected] |