Report on the Hawai‘i Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR) Recycling Initiative
Introduction: A Strategic Approach to Sustainable Development
Hawai‘i Pacific University’s (HPU) Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR) has established a pioneering Plastic Recycling Research Facility, the only one of its kind in the state. Launched over a year ago, the initiative is a comprehensive effort to mitigate marine pollution and advance a circular economy, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The facility’s core mission is to convert plastic waste recovered from the Pacific Ocean into durable, long-life infrastructure products, thereby addressing environmental challenges while fostering local resilience and innovation.
Addressing Marine Pollution and Protecting Ecosystems (SDG 14: Life Below Water)
The primary impetus for the facility is the protection of marine ecosystems. The initiative directly confronts the threat posed by plastic pollution to marine life and fragile habitats like Hawai‘i’s coral reefs.
Debris Collection and Processing
- Since June 2024, the CMDR facility has processed over 227,000 pounds of marine debris.
- The majority of this waste consists of derelict fishing gear, including ghost nets and floats, swept in from the North Pacific Garbage Patch.
- Research conducted by the center confirms the debris is overwhelmingly of foreign origin, not from local Hawaiian fishing activities.
Fostering Collaborative Action (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)
The success of the CMDR initiative is built upon a robust framework of collaboration, uniting academic institutions, non-profit organizations, commercial entities, and community volunteers.
The “Bounty Project” and Partner Network
A key component of the collection effort is the “Bounty Project,” which incentivizes commercial fishers and the Hawai‘i Longline Association to collect derelict fishing gear by offering a financial reward. This effort is supported by a network of partners across the islands:
- Kaua‘i: Surfrider Foundation
- Maui: SHARKastics and Pacific Whale Foundation
- Hawai‘i Island: Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund
These partners collect and store debris, which is then transported to the CMDR warehouse for processing by volunteers and HPU students.
Driving Innovation for Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities)
CMDR is transforming recovered plastic waste into valuable materials, fostering local industry and creating sustainable infrastructure solutions that enhance community self-sufficiency.
Development of Recycled Products
- Recycled Plastic Lumber: In collaboration with First Star Recycling, CMDR is developing technology to convert fishing nets into 100% recycled plastic lumber. This material can be used for local infrastructure like decking, fencing, and benches, reducing Hawai‘i’s dependence on imported goods.
- Innovative Construction Technology: A partnership with a Kaua‘i-based contractor has led to the development of “spider ties,” interlocking structures that simplify concrete wall construction. This innovation aims to lower construction costs and sequester carbon within building materials, supporting affordable housing goals.
- “Nets-to-Roads” Project: This project incorporates shredded marine plastics into asphalt, creating more sustainable road pavement. This displaces the need for virgin plastics imported for road construction and diverts waste from other disposal methods.
Advancing a Circular Economy (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production & SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy)
The initiative exemplifies the principles of a circular economy by creating closed-loop systems for plastic waste. For materials that cannot be mechanically recycled, CMDR has developed a waste-to-energy solution.
The “Nets-to-Energy” Program
In partnership with Radius Recycling, POP Fishing and Marine Supply, and Covanta H-Power, the “Nets-to-Energy” program incinerates non-recyclable marine debris. This process generates energy that helps power the City and County of Honolulu, contributing to local energy production while managing waste responsibly.
Future Outlook and Operational Challenges
The program’s ultimate goal, as stated by CMDR Megaplastic Program Director Mafalda de Freitas, is to achieve a circular economy that enhances community resilience and self-sufficiency. However, the initiative’s growth is constrained by its current physical space. Securing a larger facility, preferably on the harbor, is critical to increasing processing capacity, accommodating heavy machinery, and accelerating progress toward solving the marine debris crisis in Hawai‘i.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article
The article on Hawai‘i Pacific University’s Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR) highlights several initiatives that directly and indirectly connect to a range of Sustainable Development Goals. The core mission of collecting marine plastic waste and transforming it into useful products touches upon environmental protection, sustainable production, innovation, and community resilience.
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SDG 14: Life Below Water
This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The entire initiative is centered on tackling marine pollution. The article states that the CMDR’s work involves collecting “hundreds of thousands of plastic waste… from the Pacific Ocean,” including “derelict fishing gear such as ghost nets and floats.” This directly addresses the problem of marine debris that harms marine ecosystems and snags on “fragile coral reefs.”
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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The project is a clear example of promoting a circular economy. Instead of simply disposing of the collected waste, the CMDR aims to “transform” it into “long-life infrastructure products.” The article explicitly mentions the goal is to achieve a “circular economy” by recycling waste and reducing the need for new materials. This is further supported by the “Nets-to-Roads” project, which replaces “virgin plastics imported from outside of the state for asphalt roads.”
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The CMDR’s work is heavily focused on innovation and building sustainable infrastructure. The article describes the development of new technologies and products, such as converting fishing nets into “100% recycled plastic lumber,” creating “innovative construction technologies such as ‘spider ties’,” and exploring “large format 3D printing.” These efforts aim to build resilient infrastructure and promote sustainable industrial processes within Hawai‘i.
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The initiative contributes to making communities more sustainable and resilient. By turning waste into local products for “decking, fencing, picnic benches,” and even “building housing,” the project enhances “community’s resilience and self-sufficiency.” Furthermore, the “Nets-to-Energy” program, which “incinerates the majority of the marine debris to help power the City and County of Honolulu,” is a direct contribution to municipal waste management and energy supply.
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The success of the project relies on extensive collaboration. The article details a wide range of partnerships, including academic institutions (HPU), non-profits (Surfrider Foundation, SHARKastics, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund), commercial entities (Hawai‘i Longline Association, First Star Recycling, Radius Recycling, Covanta – H-Power), and local contractors. This multi-stakeholder approach is essential for achieving the project’s large-scale goals.
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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
A specific part of the initiative, the “Nets-to-Energy” program, directly relates to this goal. By partnering with Covanta – H-Power to incinerate non-recyclable marine debris, the program generates energy that helps “power the City and County of Honolulu.” This represents a form of waste-to-energy conversion, contributing to the local energy mix.
Specific SDG Targets Identified
Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified as being directly addressed by the CMDR’s initiatives.
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Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
The core activity of the CMDR—collecting and processing “more than 227,000 pounds of marine debris”—is a direct action to reduce existing marine pollution. The project specifically targets “derelict fishing gear such as ghost nets and floats” which are major components of marine debris.
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Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
The initiative is fundamentally about recycling and reuse. The article states the goal is to “transform hundreds of thousands of plastic waste… into long-life infrastructure products” and to “continually experiment with new product formulations.” This effort to create a “circular economy” directly aligns with reducing waste by giving it a new purpose.
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Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.
The “Nets-to-Roads” project, which incorporates “shredded marine plastics into asphalt, creating road pavement that is more sustainable,” is a perfect example of upgrading infrastructure. Similarly, creating recycled plastic lumber and “spider ties” for construction aims to make the building industry more sustainable by reducing reliance on imported and virgin materials.
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Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.
The CMDR’s work provides a solution for managing a specific and challenging type of waste (marine debris). The “Nets-to-Energy” program, which converts non-recyclable plastic into energy for Honolulu, is a direct contribution to the city’s waste management system and reduces the volume of waste that might otherwise end up in landfills or require other disposal methods.
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Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
The article highlights a network of collaborations, including the Bounty Project which involves various island-specific partners (Surfrider Foundation, SHARKastics, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund), and partnerships with private companies like First Star Recycling, Radius Recycling, and Covanta – H-Power. This demonstrates a multi-stakeholder partnership model in action.
Indicators for Measuring Progress
The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
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Indicator for Target 14.1: Amount of marine debris collected and removed.
The article provides specific figures that serve as direct indicators: “more than 227,000 pounds of marine debris” processed by CMDR since June 2024, and “over 8,000 pounds of marine debris” removed from Maui waters by the Pacific Whale Foundation in six months. The Bounty Project’s incentive of “$1 for every pound of derelict fishing gear debris collected” also provides a mechanism for tracking the amount of debris collected.
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Indicator for Target 12.5: Volume and type of products created from recycled waste.
Progress can be measured by the successful development and production of “100% recycled plastic lumber,” “spider ties” for construction, and the amount of plastic incorporated into asphalt through the “Nets-to-Roads” project. The ultimate goal of creating a “circular economy” is a qualitative indicator of success.
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Indicator for Target 9.4 & 11.6: Amount of waste diverted and infrastructure developed.
An indicator is the quantity of plastic diverted from incineration or landfill into new products. For the “Nets-to-Roads” project, this could be the mileage of roads paved using recycled plastic. For the “Nets-to-Energy” program, an indicator would be the amount of energy (e.g., in kilowatt-hours) generated for Honolulu from the incinerated debris.
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Indicator for Target 17.17: Number and diversity of active partnerships.
The article implies this indicator by listing the various partners involved: HPU, CMDR, Surfrider Foundation, SHARKastics, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, Hawai‘i Longline Association, First Star Recycling, Radius Recycling, Covanta – H-Power, and local contractors. The continued operation and expansion of this network serve as a measure of the partnership’s effectiveness.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | 14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, including marine debris. | – Quantity of marine debris collected (e.g., “more than 227,000 pounds”). – Collection of specific debris types like “ghost nets and floats.” – Protection of “fragile coral reefs” from entanglement. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. | – Transformation of plastic waste into “long-life infrastructure products.” – Creation of a “circular economy.” – Replacement of “virgin plastics” with recycled materials in roads. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. | – Development of “100% recycled plastic lumber.” – Creation of “innovative construction technologies such as ‘spider ties’.” – Implementation of the “Nets-to-Roads” program to create sustainable pavement. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including… waste management. | – Diversion of marine debris from incineration into products. – The “Nets-to-Energy” program providing power to Honolulu. – Enhancing community “resilience and self-sufficiency” with locally produced goods. |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | – The “Nets-to-Energy” program incinerating debris to “help power the City and County of Honolulu.” |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. | – Number and diversity of partners listed (HPU, non-profits, commercial fishers, recycling companies, local contractors). – Operation of collaborative initiatives like the “Bounty Project.” |
Source: mauinow.com
