Clean Ocean Ensemble, a non-profit organization working to solve the marine debris problem (located in Shodoshima-cho, Shodo-gun, Kagawa Prefecture; co-representatives: Yuki Egawa and Hidenori Tanaka), has standardized the sorting criteria for marine debris to 11 categories and began implementing them on July 1, 2026.
In addition to collecting marine debris, our organization conducts surveys to determine its type and weight, and works to recycle the collected waste.
Through these three activities conducted in the field, we determined that it was necessary to update the classification criteria to make sorting easier during collection, easier to compare as survey data, and easier to connect to recycling.
This time, by standardizing the classification names, display order, and Japanese/English notation, we will ensure that marine debris can be sorted, weighed, and recorded using the same criteria, even if the activity location or participants differ.
This will allow us to compare data across regions and time periods, improve the efficiency of collection activities, and promote recycling.
11 classifications of marine debris
Styrofoam
Plastic Bottle
Rigid Plastic (PP)
Soft Plastic (PE)
Balls
Fishing Tackle
Fishing Equipment
Bottles & Glassware
Cans
Iron & Lead
Other (including mixed items)
*The “Other” category includes mixtures that are difficult to classify into a single category, such as those made up of multiple materials.
Furthermore, “fishing tackle” and “fishing gear” will be treated as separate classifications in order to understand the differences in their uses and origins.
Operation to begin on July 1, 2026
The new 11 categories will be used for beach cleanups, marine and river debris collection, and marine debris surveys conducted from July 1, 2026 onwards.
The data collected using common classification criteria will be used to compare the types and quantities of marine debris by region and time of year, understand stranding trends, improve collection activities, and consider recycling methods.
Clean Ocean Ensemble is looking for people to join us in changing the future.
The Clean Ocean Ensemble is working every day to achieve a world with zero marine debris. We
need your support to further advance this initiative.
Please support and participate in the following ways.
● Support through donations and sponsorships
Your donations will be used for installing marine debris collection equipment, developing data collection tools, and continuing our field activities.
We welcome both one-time donations and monthly support.
▶For more details, please visit: https://donation.cleanoceanensemble.com/
For companies, as part of your CSR activities, we ask that you include displaying your logo on our website and issuing a certificate of support for collection.
We can collaborate on joint PR activities and other projects.
▶For more details, please visit: https://cleanoceanensemble.com/support/partner/
● Participate as a volunteer or pro bono
Our organization is looking for members who can utilize their skills in the following areas.
IT Engineer
marketing
Sales and sponsorship partner support
human resources
Field Engineer (Shodoshima)
If you’d like to learn more, please join our monthly pro bono information session.
In addition to pro bono work, we also welcome questions about our organization’s activities.
▶ Click here for the pro bono/volunteer information session: https://peatix.com/group/12922636
Organization Overview
• Name: NPO Clean Ocean Ensemble (NGO Clean Ocean Ensemble)
Address: 986 Sakate-ko, Shodoshima-cho, Shodo-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
・Established: December 2020
Representative Directors: Yuki Egawa, Hidenori Tanaka
Main countries of operation: Japan, East Timor
• Official website: https://cleanoceanensemble.com/
• Official social media: https://cleanoceanensemble.com/support/follow/
