Urban Ocean® - Ocean Conservancy

Urban Ocean City CAP reports Led by University of Georgia’s New Materials Institute and Circularity Informatics Lab. As part of the Urban Ocean process, each Learning City conducts a Gap Assessment to map challenges, risk, and vulnerabilities within materials management systems and to develop an integrated picture of the materials and circular economy related challenges and opportunities faced by each city.

Urban Ocean Toolkit Learn more about the rich body of information and tools to support Urban Ocean cities we have developed with this interactive toolkit. It is our hope that this will help additional communities build clean, healthy cities for clean, healthy seas.

Project Opportunities to Accelerate Clean, Healthy Cities and Seas Review our Urban Ocean cities’ project plans after participating in the Circularity Assessment Protocol and Opportunity Assessment Tool developed by our partners the University of Georgia’s New Materials Institute and the Resilient Cities Network.

Six Proven Tech Solutions to Prevent Ocean Plastic Pollution Learn about innovative solutions cities can employ to prevent trash from ending up in the ocean.

Six Ways Cities Can Engage on Ghost Gear Learn how cities can help address the issue of lost or abandoned fish gear in the ocean.

Five Criteria for Investment in Waste Management and Recycling Businesses Learn how cities can evaluate investment opportunities in waste management and recycling.

Tips for Partnering with the Private Sector Local industry and brand leaders can play a valuable and complementary role to accelerate action on plastic pollution, which is why the Urban Ocean program has created a check list for cities to consider before engaging with potential private sector partners.

Six Proven Levers for Behavior Change to Prevent Plastic Marine Debris Understand the psychology and motivations that drive behavior and how you can build an effective strategy to change harmful habits.

Building Smart Plastics Policies in Your City In the video below, Ocean Conservancy’s Plastics Initiative Director Chever Voltmer provides an overview of the organization’s Plastics Policy Playbook. This first-of-its-kind manual, based on desk-side research as well as numerous focus groups and in-depth interviews with experts in the field, outlines the various policy interventions available to prevent plastic waste from entering our ocean. Participants will leave the session with an understanding of some of the most common, and most promising approaches to building stronger waste management systems, as well as real-life examples of successful implementation.

Science-based Solutions to Macro- and Micro- Plastic in Municipal Waterways Plastics are a threat to both human and environmental health. It is crucial that cities take an active role, using science-based solutions, to prevent and secure the health of its citizens and the surrounding natural environment. Dr. Chelsea Rochman has dedicated her career to understanding the impacts of macro- and micro- plastics and will be offering solutions to safeguard your city.

Developing Locally Appropriate Public Outreach Strategies to Reduce and Prevent Marine Debris There are many ways to address marine debris, but first, we must prevent debris from entering our waterways. Therefore, it is key to ensure people understand the issue and how to contribute to the solution. Reflect on real-world examples of successful outreach strategies to address ocean plastic with a team of expert panelists.

Urban Ocean Circularity Assessment Findings We are pleased to announce the release of Urban Ocean’s first city cohort’s Circularity Assessment Protocol (CAP) report findings! The CAP results allows participating cities to map challenges, risks, and vulnerabilities within their critical waste management systems.