.png){kind=logo}
.png){kind=logo}
OUR PROGRAMS
ZERO PLASTIC WASTE GROS MORNE
Plastic pollution has grown into an epidemic and is now one of the biggest global crises of our time. Of the approximately 10 billion tonnes of plastics produced since the 1950s, between 19-23 million tonnes has leaked into the aquatic environment each year (UNEP-Plastic Pollution Toolkit). This pollution has severe consequences, altering marine ecosystems and natural processes, reducing nature’s ability to adapt to climate change. This, in turn, directly affects our fish harvesters, plant workers and overall community’s food production capabilities and social well-being.
In response to these growing concerns, the Oceans Plastics Charter was created in 2018 during Canada’s G7 presidency. The Oceans Plastics Charter outlines targets and actions to eradicate plastic waste and pollution, fostering a circular economy that identifies ways to beat plastic pollution through techniques more innovative than just your traditional curbside recycling.
Our rivers and coastal areas are the gateway to where pollution enters from the land into our freshwater and marine ecosystems. Our main focus since the inception of AHOI in 2019 was to reduce or eliminate plastic waste and pollution including lost, abandoned or derelict fishing gear (also known as ghost gear), entering these environments. Through beach cleanups, waste and brand audits, and educational workshops, we continue to reduce and effectively recycle what has already invaded our coastal areas. We also work to educate the public on ways to turn off the plastic production tap into the future. Our combined efforts with the people of this region to reduce plastic pollution in the Gros Morne region was recognized by Plastic Oceans International and in 2022 Gros Morne was listed as a Blue Community.
Working Together to Clean our Coasts
Although our main focus is to turn off the plastic production tap, we still need to collect the marine debris that’s already in the environment causing direct impacts. During our beach cleanups, we sort and audit the material we collect to gain insights into the types of pollution that litter our beaches. Over 580 volunteers, including residents, tourists, businesses, Mayors and MPs, have joined our efforts along Gros Morne's 200-kilometer coastline. Partnering with the 7 municipalities in the region, Gros Morne National Park and Gros Morne Cooperating Association, our cleanups benefit not only the environment but also communities and those that live in them. Since 2019, with the help of the region, AHOI has cleaned over 40 km of coastline in Gros Morne and collected over 10,600 lbs of waste from our beaches! Check out our resources [Link Resources page] to learn more about our progress and efforts to reduce plastic pollution. We are thankful to the municipalities in Gros Morne for their support in promotion and waste collection during our cleanups. Businesses like Gros Morne Coffee Roasters and Gros Morne Adventures generously contribute supplies and services, highlighting the commitment to cleaner coastlines and communities. Contact us to host or join a cleanup! TOTAL PLASTICS DIVERTED AWAY FROM THE OCEAN TO DATE: 10,600 lbs
Moving Towards a Circular Economic Model in Gros Morne
In 2018, the Government of Canada signed the Oceans Plastics Charter to move towards a more sustainable approach to producing, using, and managing plastics. Building on the Oceans Plastic Charter, the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste takes a circular economy approach to reduce plastic waste. The circular economy is a production and consumption model that focuses on sharing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials to minimize pollution and extend product lifecycles (UNECE Circular Economy). Our work examines the entire life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal, to identify specific sources of plastic litter and debris. By understanding plastic use, waste, leakage points and identifying problematic products in the region, we can implement effective alternatives and strategies to replace them. Our Circular Economy program has four key objectives: 1.Gather baseline data to understand the plastic waste generated or found in the region (see Cleaning our Coasts section to learn more). 2.Collaborate with the Gros Morne Region to raise awareness of impacts from unsustainable linear practices on coastal communities and the ocean. 3. Develop policies, procedures, and educational programs for municipalities, businesses, and agencies to move towards more circular practices. 4. Support the reduction of unnecessary single-use plastics (SUP) and test "Re-use, Refill, or Rot" programs during community festivals and in hospitality and tourism sectors.
Sustainable Local Businesses
Each summer, the Gros Morne region sees a 6,000 percent increase in visitors, making tourism a key business driver. This surge presents an opportunity for businesses to lead in sustainability. AHOI identified four sectors with high potential to reduce plastic waste: Adventure Tourism, Accommodations, Restaurants, and Farms. In 2021, we launched the Sustainable Business Pilot Program to help these business operators reduce plastic waste using a "refill, reuse, or rot" strategy. We provided resources to assess plastic use, implement waste solutions, and source reusable, refillable, or compostable products. Nearly a dozen businesses switched from single-use plastics to metal, glass, and biodegradable alternatives. Working with these businesses, we: ●Collected data on plastic usage and created a system to measure reduction, including a plastic usage audit form. ●Identified sustainable alternatives that could be used in backyard composts. ●Developed an AHOI-approved catalogue of sustainable products. ●Created a bulk order system to make sustainable products more affordable. ●Provided informative postcards and a sustainability checklist for businesses to share with customers. Businesses can measure and share their plastic waste reduction, celebrating their efforts on their websites and social media. Participating businesses are not entirely plastic-free but continue to seek sustainable options with our guidance!
Ghost Gear
Our coastal cleanup work takes us all around the Gros Morne region! Although we collect all types of marine debris, ghost fishing gear is one of the predominant types of waste we collect. Following Hurricane Fiona in 2022, we were approached by DFO to take part in their Ghost Gear program to help clean up lost fishing gear on the southwest coast. The #AHOIWasteBusters collected over 8,000 lbs of lost gear from Port aux Basques to Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou in 8 days! These intense and collaborative efforts still continue today. With partners including many fish harvesters, ACAP Humber Arm, the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), Clean Harbours Initiative (CHI), Sparkes Subsea Construction, the Fishing Gear Coalition for Atlantic Canada, PLAEX Building Systems, and more, we have been able to continue work to remove abandoned, lost, or derelict fishing gear (ALDFG) in western NL. Engaging heavily with local stakeholders and organizations in communities impacted by large storm surges or hurricanes, we scouted areas that would be most impacted by ALDFG. Then, with the use of our remotely operated vehicle (ROV), we were able to identify and safely retrieve lost nets, traps, pots and rope. Our base may be in Gros Morne, but our efforts post Hurricane Fiona brought us to many communities between Burgeo and Codroy Valley. These collaborative efforts removed over 70,000 lbs of lost gear from harbours and coastlines most impacted by this storm, a job well done by all! Recognizing the need for improved waste management in NL, we initiated a Gros Morne “End-of-Life Fishing Gear Program” in 2023. This program to date enabled us to collect, sort and recycle 10,000 lbs of old fishing gear BEFORE it ended up in the marine environment. Collaborating with organizations in Atlantic Canada, we worked to recycle fishing gear to support circularity. Over 95% of collected end-of-life gear was upcycled into secondary products, such as building materials, promoting sustainable fisheries management! TOTAL GHOST GEAR DIVERTED FROM THE OCEAN TO DATE: 80,000 lbs