Cleaning up the Ocean: Ayvens partners with Fondation de la Mer to support the Tyre Depollution Initiative.

The ocean covers over two-thirds of our planet, containing 97% of its water. It regulates the climate by absorbing a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions and 90% of the heat emitted by these gases. It provides livelihoods for more than three billion people. However, they are currently under threat due to climate change, pollution, overexploitation of resources, and loss of biodiversity.

Tyre wear particles are identified by environmental scientists as one of the most significant sources of microplastics in the Ocean. In France alone, nearly 15,000 tonnes of particles are torn from tyres and road surfaces, adding to the plastic pollution already created by the degradation of macro-waste discharged directly into the sea. In the Mediterranean, tyre dust accounts for 53% of microplastic contamination, which totals 13,000 tonnes a year.^[1]

Founded in 2015 by Ocean lovers, scientists, explorers, sailors, association leaders and ordinary citizens, La Fondation de la Mer supports hundreds of stakeholders in the field and designs pollution clean-up, study, and observation missions to protect biodiversity, combat pollution at sea, support research, raise awareness and mobilise public authorities, businesses and citizens.

As a global leading sustainable mobility player, Ayvens has therefore decided to support through a financial donation the Fondation de la Mer’s 2-year Underwater Tyre Depollution Initiative and their efforts to recover and recycle tyres dumped in the sea. This initiative will contribute to the restoration of fragile coastal environments in the Mediterranean and raise awareness about tyre wear particles pollution and fully supports Societe Generale group’s environmental philanthropic programme for Ocean conservations and commitment to protecting marine ecosystems.

To learn more about Fondation de la Mer, click here (in French only): Fondation de la Mer

^[1] Source : Fondation de la Mer