Ocean conservation is an issue that has sky-rocketed to the forefront of public perception since Blue Planet 2 aired, with images and information regarding pollution from plastics, chemicals and other sources dominating headlines. The issue is now so prominent that MPs in the UK have adopted a new cross-party policy agenda on the issue, after central Government’s Marine Strategy was branded a “spectacular failure” by green groups.

One of the latest business moves in this space has been taken by Nestle Waters, which has partnered with non-profit Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF) in a bid to empower communities across the world to better tackle marine plastics. The partnership will see the business fund infrastructure that prevents, recaptures and recycles plastic leaks, in addition to education programmes surrounding ocean and river conservation. Communities in Mexico, Panama, Jamaica and Fiji are set to benefit from the first round of this investment.

Nestle Waters’ head of sustainability Carlo Calli said the partnership will serve to “identify and address the needs of some of the mode affected communities around the world”.

“Creating pragmatic and immediate actions to combat plastic pollution while stimulating the plastic circular economy are crucial components in preserving the natural environment for present and future generations,” OLF’s president Chloé Dubois added.