Where: Honolulu, Hawaii
Solutions: Reduction in pollution, Education and advocacy, Sustainable cities and communities
The initiative, Project O.C.E.A.N., (spearheaded by Dyson Chee) helps to tackle the issue of plastic pollution in Hawaii through two means: by raising awareness through educating community members about plastic pollution; and by passing environmentally conscious legislation through activism.
From October 2018 to June 2019, Project O.C.E.A.N. visited over 50 classrooms and community events and reached out to around 2,000 people. Using grants, they were also able to give away more than 1,000 stainless-steel straws at presentations, using straws as a gateway to the larger issue of plastic pollution. On the activism side, they spearheaded the youth movement that got Bill 40, the City and County of Honolulu's disposable plastic ban passed. Thousands of people, including over 1,500 youth, gave their support for the legislation, which was signed into law in December 2019.
Bill 40 (now called Ordinance 19-30), the City and County of Honolulu's disposable plastic ban, was passed in part thanks to the organizing through Project O.C.E.A.N. Bill 40, at the time it was passed, was one of the most comprehensive disposable plastic bans in the United States, phasing out items such as polystyrene clamshells, single-use plastic straws, and disposable plastic utensils. Thousands of people, including over 1,500 youth, gave their support for the legislation through methods such as verbal support, written testimony, and a signature scroll.
One major obstacle faced by Project O.C.E.A.N. was that is a local start-up that struggled to gather the necessary support needed to make an impact. Over the years, they have learned valuable lessons and gained knowledge and leadership skills to help make this initiative a success.
Photos provided by Dyson Chee
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