Development of equipment for collecting "microplastics" outboard motors Suzuki October 7, 4:16
Automaker "Suzuki" has developed a device to collect "microplastics", which are feared to have an impact on the ecosystem, in an outboard motor, and on the 6th, an experiment was conducted at Lake Hamana in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It has been published.
Suzuki, an automobile manufacturer, is conducting research to reduce "microplastics," which may affect the ecosystem, and has recently developed a device that collects microplastics into outboard motors.
On the 6th, an experiment was conducted at Lake Hamana in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture to actually run a ship and check its performance, and the situation was released.
The device collects microplastics with a filter attached to the drain of the system that circulates water to cool the motor, and in the experiment, debris that appeared to be microplastics was collected along with algae and sand.
Suzuki hopes to continue conducting such experiments in Japan and other Asian countries, aiming for commercialization by the end of next year.
Koji Osawa, Managing Director of Suzuki Marine Business Headquarters, said, "It takes time to dispose of the waste collected by the filter, but other than that, the handling is the same as a normal outboard motor. I want to help protect the environment by commercializing it." Was there.
Concerns about impacts on marine ecosystems
According to the Ministry of the Environment and others, it is estimated that the amount of plastic waste flowing into the sea is at least 8 million tons per year worldwide.
If no measures are taken as they are, 30 years later, in 2050, the warning will be raised that the weight will exceed the total weight of the fish inhabiting the sea.
Over time, the spilled garbage becomes "microplastic" with a size of 5 mm or less, and it is easy for fish to swallow, so there are concerns about its impact on the ecosystem.