Plastic is an amazing material, with innumerable uses; medical devices, plumbing and car parts, children’s toys, cell phones and computer cases, it is literally woven into the very fabric of our lives. But the tenacious grip of poorly managed plastic waste is burying us in every corner of our global society, from raw boned Alaskan wilderness to the tropical paradise of Brazil.
Brazil 2019
This year we dominated Itaipu Beach. Ahh, Rio. One of the earth’s most iconic cities. Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Rock, the Statue of the Christ, warm water and of course the beaches. So beautiful, warm and inviting, and in danger of being loved to … [Read more...]
Brazil 2018
Our annual beach clean up event in Brazil keeps on growing. This third year of the COI Brazil Cleanup Event was held at @Itaipu Beach. We are spreading the word about plastic pollution, working with local communities and schools is making a … [Read more...]
Our Oceans Conference – Malta Oct 2017
COI founder Jim Holm was invited to address the "Our Oceans 2017" Conference in Malta about how PPTF could reduce plastic in our oceans at a local level on a global scale “SRV Pono” put on some miles 2017. Leaving South France at the end of … [Read more...]
Brazil 2017
Our community is growing. We are so warmly received by the community members in Brazil. These are beach communities that are coming together because of inspiration from our selfless staff and volunteers. This event was almost entirely … [Read more...]
Cuba 2017
Amazing! was the common description for COI’s Cuba Expedition in January 2017. Warm people invited us to share their homes and lives and welcomed our efforts to improve ocean health by reducing plastic pollution locally on a global scale. 11 … [Read more...]
Brazil 2016
April 23, 2016 was a great way to celebrate Earth Day in Rio de Janeiro. COI helped organize a beach cleanup event on famous Itacoatiara Beach in the Niteroi suburb. Friends and families came out and made a two hour mile long beach walk collecting … [Read more...]
Hawaiian Islands 2016
In early January a COI expedition team from Cabrillo College visited three Hawaiian Islands in a ten day “Trash Talking Tour”. We learned from local groups about their particular problems and some of the responses and techniques they employed to … [Read more...]
Albany Beach 2012-2015
Plastic pollution can be divided into two categories, large and small. The small stuff is termed “Microplastics” and includes anything less than 2.5 cm (1 inch) across. Working with “Static Charge Filtration” (SCF) screens developed by Marc Ward … [Read more...]
Alaska 2014
The scope of plastic pollution is difficult to convey. It exists on every shoreline in the world. Alaska’s rugged yet fragile coastlines are particularly vulnerable because of the dynamics of the Pacific Ocean’s circulation patterns. A full scale … [Read more...]
Trash Diving in British Virgin Islands 2014
One aspect of plastic pollution is that it plagues shorelines around the planet, and sometimes those are fantastic places to visit. In April 2014 we were fortunate to do a trial run of our “One Beach at a Time” sailing program. Our crew of 21 … [Read more...]