Eliminating plastic from the seas is not possible and instead new materials need to be developed to replace plastic, according to the founder of Parley for the Oceans.
Cyrill Gutsch, who founded the organisation to tackle ocean pollution, made the claim in an exclusive interview with Dezeen.
"To be very honest, I don't believe that we're going to clean up the oceans," said the German-born designer, whose organisation partners with brands including Adidas and Stella McCartney to turn marine plastic waste into products such as trainers, swimwear and football shirts.
"My personal opinion is that the ultimate end of marine plastic pollution is not in cleaning up," he said.
"It's a very good conversation starter, it's a very good way to raise awareness of the problem, it's a way to raise funds if you're making products [out of ocean plastic] so the product, not the material itself, is a fundraiser". Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans, doubts we will rid the oceans of plastic. Top image is courtesy of Jordi Chias
Founded in 2012 to raise awareness about threats to marine habitats, Parley for the Oceans intercepts plastic waste destined for, or already in, the sea.
This is recycled and marketed under the Ocean Plastic brand, which Gutsch has trademarked and which has successfully reinvented a previously unwanted waste stream as a luxury material.
However this is not a viable long-term solution for saving the oceans, Gutsch believes.
&quo...