Gravity Wave - Plastic Free Oceans |

Name of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)

Gravity Wave - Plastic Free Oceans
URL of a video introducing the work（under 5 minutes）

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY6_eBOSf2U
Detailed explanation of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)

Gravity Wave is a social impact company dedicated to cleaning the oceans and ports of plastic to transform them into materials and products with ecological value and long-lasting utility through a circular economy. We collaborate with over 7000 fishermen in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Cantabrian regions, as well as with more than 100 companies and partners. Our mission is to achieve plastic-free oceans. We finance our solution through two approaches: plastic collection from seas and ports, and the transformation of waste into valuable products. With blockchain technology, we ensure transparency, enhancing trust in our design products. Beyond plastic disposal, we give waste a new life as durable furniture and design items. To date, we have removed over 414,000 kg of plastic, inspiring positive change and leading the Plastic Free Oceans Movement toward a sustainable future. Founded by siblings Amaia and Julen Rodríguez in late 2019, this project demonstrates that a profitable business can embrace environmental responsibility and circular economy, motivating others to protect our planet and promote innovation in an environmentally friendly way.
How does your work address the 3 P’s (for Planet, for People, for Profit) for Sustainability?

In Gravity Wave, our commitment to the three Ps: People, Planet, and Profit, is the fundamental pillar of all our projects and activities. We recognize that the oceans play an essential role in the health of our planet and the quality of life of people. Therefore, we have designed a holistic approach that addresses these three dimensions in an integral manner.
For us, people are a fundamental part of the equation. We have established strong collaborations with traditional fishermen and ports who share our vision. By working together, we achieve the collection of plastic from the sea, which not only contributes to the cleaning of the oceans but also provides these fishermen with compensation for every kilogram of plastic they remove. Additionally, we have facilitated the management of plastic waste by installing recycling containers in ports and managing networks, providing a solution that was previously scarce. Through our partnerships with Spain and Europe, we aim to revalue these waste materials, contributing to local economies and changing the perspective of production. We are also committed to raising awareness among society about the urgency to take action and to showcase the reality of plastic while offering tangible solutions.
Regarding the planet, we have successfully reduced plastic pollution in the oceans by removing and preventing the fall of waste, especially fishing nets, one of the most lethal waste materials for marine ecosystems. These nets not only account for 40% of plastic pollution but can also take up to a thousand years to degrade. Our work directly contributes to the conservation of the planet and the protection of marine life.
In terms of profit, we are leading a shift in the business paradigm. We collaborate with companies that share our values and aim to make a tangible and real impact on the oceans. Through this collaboration, we provide examples of how it is possible to be profitable while prioritizing the well-being of the planet and people. We inspire other companies and society at large to adopt a more sustainable and socially responsible approach in their operations.
Where (country, region, etc.) have you primarily carried out your project?

Our main operations are deployed in several key regions, with a significant focus on the Mediterranean, spanning from Greece, Italy, Egypt, and Spain, and also extending to the Cantabrian and Atlantic areas. We maintain a presence in more than 100 ports in these specific areas, with a particular emphasis on Spain, where we are present in 85 ports. Regarding the revaluation of waste, we prioritize conducting this process at the local level, primarily in the Valencian Community. This region is pivotal for us in the transformation of plastic waste into valuable products. Furthermore, in terms of business collaborations, we work closely with companies from both Spain and Europe, strengthening our partnerships in these areas to advance our mission and objectives.
What is the timeline your project has taken place over?

Our project has been in operation since 2019. The idea emerged at the end of that year, and in 2020, we officially established Gravity Wave. Currently, we are deeply engaged in the execution of new milestones and projects designed to amplify our positive impact on the oceans.
Keywords

#PlasticFreeOceans #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #EnvironmentalImpact
If you have a website for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL

https://www.thegravitywave.com/
If you have a social media account for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL

https://www.instagram.com/thegravitywave/
Special Prize Question 1: Is there a mechanism in place to inherit culture and industry as assets for people living in that area 100 or even 1000 years from now?

To pass on our culture and industry as assets to people in 100 or even 1,000 years, it is done as follows:
Education and Awareness: At Gravity Wave, we are committed to the mission of raising awareness and educating society and consumers. Our hope is that future generations will feel the same passion for preserving our oceans. We envision children amazed by the beauty of a clean sea, conscious of their responsibility to protect it.
Preservation of Traditional Knowledge and Practices: By closely collaborating with traditional fishermen and ports, we are not only cleaning the oceans but also preserving an ancestral legacy. We visualize future fishermen inheriting the wisdom of their ancestors, keeping the essence of their maritime culture alive, and passing down their knowledge to the generations to come, all from a perspective that respects the marine environment. In this regard, at Gravity Wave, we are changing the way we relate to the ocean.
Investment in Technology and Innovation: Through technologies like blockchain, we are creating a digital legacy that documents our current actions and decisions. This will serve as a resource for future generations to access, helping them understand how we fought against plastic pollution and protected our oceans. Furthermore, our investments in research and development may inspire even more advanced solutions in waste management and marine conservation.
Sustainable Legacies: Our vision of a circular and sustainable economy is a dream we want to leave to future generations. We hope that, in many years, this philosophy will be the cornerstone of all companies, with sustainability deeply rooted in the culture of society. We envision an economy that flourishes without depleting our natural resources, providing prosperity to people and taking care of our planet.
Long-Term Commitment: Our ongoing commitment to sustainability is our promise to future generations. We yearn for the next generations to see Gravity Wave as an example of how long-term efforts can preserve culture, industry, and the health of our planet for centuries to come.
Special Prize Question 2: What is the positive impact on biodiversity? Is the project creating a cycle not just from a human-centered perspective but for the entire ecosystem?

At Gravity Wave, our passion for the oceans extends beyond humanity. We are dedicated to safeguarding and preserving marine life and the ecological balance in the oceans.
Ocean Cleaning: Our efforts encompass the collection of plastics and other marine debris, including the perilous abandoned fishing nets that threaten marine life. By removing these waste materials from the ocean, we are preventing the deaths of marine animals trapped in them, which directly impacts the conservation of marine species.
Prevention of Pollution: Gravity Wave not only focuses on cleaning the oceans but also implements measures to prevent further plastic and waste from entering the sea. Our recycling and prevention system tirelessly works to keep the ocean free of waste. Furthermore, we transform plastic waste into furniture and design objects, giving them a second life and preventing them from returning to the waters, thereby eliminating pollution and benefiting marine biodiversity.
Promotion of Sustainable Fishing: Through our collaboration with traditional fishermen, we promote sustainable fishing and responsible management of marine resources. This contributes to maintaining healthy fish populations and preserving marine species.
Commitment, Awareness, and Education: At Gravity Wave, we are committed to raising awareness and educating society about the importance of marine conservation. Our goal goes beyond changing attitudes; we promote concrete action among businesses, organizations, fishermen, partners, and various stakeholders in society.
Special Prize Question 3: Are you enabling new forms of collaboration with others? New forms of collaboration might include cross-industry cooperation, co-creation with consumers, or role transformations within the supply chain.

We consider collaboration a fundamental pillar in the fight against plastic pollution and the promotion of marine sustainability. We recognize that global challenges cannot be tackled in isolation, which is why we have forged significant partnerships with various stakeholders. We work hand in hand with traditional fishermen to clean the oceans and support coastal communities. We collaborate closely with businesses and partners to promote the circular economy, giving a second life to collected materials and reducing pollution. Furthermore, we actively engage society and consumers in our awareness and solution mission through joint initiatives with collaborating companies, including exciting underwater dives for those who wish to contribute to plastic collection firsthand. Additionally, we work in conjunction with recycling partners, transformation experts, and research and development laboratories to find new ways to repurpose recovered fishing nets. These collaborations not only allow us to advance in our challenge but also create significant value for each party involved.
We view collaboration as the foundation of a new, more sustainable and responsible economy, and we are committed to joining forces with various stakeholders to effectively address plastic pollution and protect marine biodiversity.