Edinburgh Napier University

  The objective of this research study is to develop a prototype model for gathering and reusing ocean plastic in-situ. The proposal is to visit a number of beachside locations along the Scottish West Coast (including islands), in order to scope the amounts and types of ocean plastic available. This will lead to the creation of an interactive virtual
map of significant ocean plastic repositories in the visited areas. Samples of ocean plastics will be retrieved and taken to the Edinburgh Napier University polymer lab, where different processes for remanufacturing will be trialled. In order to share the
resulting material knowledge, educational public engagement workshops that use the remanufactured plastics in a digital fabrication context will be held at Mallaig High School and St.Abbs Marine Station.
Ocean plastic is a global environmental problem that is growing in both significance and severity. It also represents an underused material resource that is freely available in affected Scottish coastal areas. Through using flexible local collection mechanisms, the
engagement of communities at all levels of the remanufacturing process is fostered. Applying a systemic approach to this circular process allows locals to experiment with materials and processes and discover novel ways to repair, repurpose and remake objects from ocean plastic, encouraging skill sharing and community education.
Therefore the research has strong benefits in the four key challenge areas of sustainability, technological, educational and social development. It is particularly relevant to remote Scottish communities where these grassroots, low-tech approaches
to remanufacturing processes could lead to job generation.