Megaplastics Pollution Program

The Center for Marine Debris Research operates a Megaplastics Pollution Program that focuses on the prevention, removal and recycling of the most environmentally damaging marine debris, derelict fishing gear (DFG), from the ocean BEFORE it kills nearshore coral reefs, fish and protected species. Large DFG is removed from the ocean by commercial fishermen for a bounty (financial reward) and delivered to the first Plastic Recycling Research Facility (PRRF) in the industrial zone of Kalihi to innovate long-term, necessary, local infrastructure products using mechanical recycling of the debris. The PRRF will offer State and local partners, including manufacturing start-ups, an innovation hub with polymer science expertise, where recycled product prototypes can be created through 3D-printing or extrusion molding and subsequently tested for their durability for the intended application.