Sweep Island

Sweep Island is a pioneering prototype for an artificial and biodegradable island designed to support marine life and actively intercept microplastics

Watch the 1-minute pitch video

https://youtu.be/y7vhmtijijc?si=48I-xZSXqoseBZU7

Long description

The Pelago Sanctuary, situated between Italy and France in the northwestern Mediterranean, serves as a marine protected area established in 1999 due to its exceptional biodiversity. Hosting 12 aquatic mammal species and over 8,500 macroscopic organisms, it embodies a significant portion of global marine species. However, recent studies by WWF have highlighted the alarming plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, describing it as a ‘dangerous plastic trap.’ With concentrations comparable to ocean garbage patches, the sea poses a severe threat to marine life, including within the Pelago Sanctuary.

In response to this concerning environmental issue, Renna Studio proposes a research-driven solution – an artificial island incorporating design, advanced 3D printing, and insights from marine biology. The prototype, featuring an island with diverse habitats and an underwater collector, aims to investigate the dynamics of plastic accumulation, emphasizing a research-oriented approach to better understand and address the complex challenges facing the Pelago Sanctuary and the broader Mediterranean ecosystem.