Building on its commitment to sustainability and environment protection initiatives, global marine terminal operator DP World has become the lead corporate sponsor of Plastic Free Ocean, a non-profit network working to raise awareness and create viable solutions to the huge issue of plastics contaminating marine environments.
The partnership reflects DP World's commitment to the preservation of coastal habitats, and is aimed at contributing to collaborative efforts seeking long-term solutions to rid the world's oceans and tidal zones of plastic waste.

Plastic Free Ocean says scientists estimate that at least 140 million tonnes of plastic currently pollutes the world's oceans, killing more marine wildlife than any other non-natural cause and leaching potentially cancer-causing chemicals into the ocean.

Beginning in 2011, DP World will integrate Plastic Free Ocean materials and technical expertise into its corporate sustainability programme, specifically "Clean Ports", an initiative begun in Algiers in 2009, with co-sponsors Kone Cranes. The event collected 100 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) of waste from three recreational ports near the Algerian capital.

The Plastic Free Ocean campaign is supported in part by DP World's supplier Liehburr, a leading manufacturer of heavy-lift equipment.

Mohammed Sharaf, Chief Executive Officer of DP World, said, "Partnerships with organisations such as Plastic Free Ocean help us create a model cleanup programme that can be replicated by other organisations and agencies worldwide, paying particular attention to the problem of proper disposal and recycling. "Clean Ports" brings DP World employees, suppliers, local dive clubs and schools together to clean marine environments while building awareness of underlying environmental issues."

Plastic Free Ocean is dedicated to building awareness and finding practical solutions to the problem of water-borne plastics, worldwide.

Andy Glass, Executive Director of Plastic Free Ocean, said, "We are very happy to be working alongside DP World to fight the worldwide threat of plastic waste. DP World's global reach and engagement with the communities in which it operates will help us build awareness, and educate consumers and businesses in areas that we would otherwise never reach. And DP World's engineering and logistics expertise can help us create the model cleanup programme that is the number one goal of both our organisations."
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