Plastic, omnipresent in everyday consumer products, is one of the main pollutants on the planet. Its slow degradation —which can take centuries— and its massive presence in seas and oceans represent a growing threat to ecosystems. According to environmental organizations, between 60% and 90% of marine litter is composed of this material, significantly increasing plastic pollution.
Faced with this scenario, a bricklayer and builder from Córdoba, Spain, Rafael Alcaide Muñoz, developed an innovative solution to curb plastic pollution: a design that allows bottles and cans to float for an extended period in the water, making their recovery easier before they sink and degrade into microplastics.
The system, called Gravity System, was patented with the support of the company La Fábrica de Inventos. Its operation is simple and effective: it introduces an air chamber at the base of the containers, using the same material as the product. This allows the waste to remain afloat, increasing the likelihood of waves bringing them back to the shore, where their collection is easier.
This project, still in the promotion stage, aims to be a low-cost solution applicable on a large scale. It is estimated that incorporating this system into existing bottles would cost just a few cents per unit. Its versatility also allows adaptation to cans, whose presence in the oceans is equally harmful due to the nature of aluminum.
An ingenious solution to curb plastic pollution
The idea arose from an everyday observation: Alcaide noticed how certain cans floated while kayaking and thought of a way to replicate that controlled buoyancy. The result was a simple yet effective redesign that acts as a sort of “lifesaver” for packaging.
The global context reinforces the need for initiatives like this. According to scientific estimates, there are between 7,000 and 35,000 tons of plastic floating in the oceans, not counting the waste that has already sunk or fragmented into microplastics. The latter, when ingested by marine life, can end up in the human food chain.
Currently, Gravity System is seeking institutional and corporate support for its implementation. Although it has received attention on social media and interest from some investors, its creator has not yet secured backing from public bodies, despite presenting the project to national and European entities.
The proposal presents a practical and viable alternative to mitigate plastic pollution, at a time when the production of this material continues to rise and its environmental effects are increasingly evident.
Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues worldwide. Photo: Social Media.
How to reduce plastic pollution at home?
To reduce plastic pollution, one must not only think of ingenious solutions but also avoid using plastic bags, plastic bottles, and other single-use items. You can also opt for biodegradable products and recycle.
Avoiding the use of plastics
- Use reusable cloth or fiber bags.
- Avoid plastic cups, plates, cutlery, and bottles.
- Buy food in bulk.
- Avoid plastic packaging.
- Use refillable stainless steel or glass water bottles.
- Avoid plastic straws.
- Use metal or glass food containers.
Recycling
- Properly recycle items that are possible to recycle.
- Check if the container is recyclable by consulting the number on the bottom.
- Choose sustainable products.
- Opt for products made from biodegradable materials.
- Look for eco-friendly products not packaged in plastic.
- Avoid cosmetics and personal hygiene products with plastic microbeads.
- Choose high-quality products that last many years.
Join Campaigns
- Join campaigns from different entities calling for responsible plastic use.
- Support legislation to ban plastic bags, as well as companies operating more sustainably.
Source: El Español.
Do you already know our YouTube channel? Subscribe!
