From left, Juan Carlos Trillo and Alejandro Trillo of MPS with Thomas Schori of (#tide and Fernando Melo launching their joint venture in MPS’s Miami office
Maritime Procurement Services (MPS), a leader in ship-generated waste management, and Tide Ocean SA (#tide), an innovator in up-cycling plastics, joined forces to create Tide Ocean (MPS) LLC.
This new partnership leverages the strengths of both organizations to address ocean-bound plastic pollution and the responsible management of plastic waste generated by cruise ships.
MPS handles ship-generated waste across 13 ports in Mexico as the exclusive sustainability partner for the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.
Crucial turning point
‘We are witnessing a crucial turning point in how we perceive and manage waste in the cruise industry,’ said Alejandro Trillo, CEO of MPS. ‘This partnership demonstrates that businesses can be both profitable and make a significant contribution towards preserving our environment.’
United Nations estimates indicate 8m to 10m metric tons of plastic enter the oceans every year. If unabated, by 2050 the weight of plastic in the oceans could surpass the total weight of fish. This represents a severe threat to marine ecosystems and biodiversity, and plastic pollution significantly contributes to climate change.
Giving new life to plastic waste
‘Tide Ocean (MPS) LLC is poised to fundamentally change our ability to protect our oceans,’ said Thomas Schori, CEO and founder of #tide. ‘We are giving new life to what was once considered waste, creating a positive ripple effect that goes beyond reducing plastic waste, contributing to local economies, and helping to restore the health of our marine ecosystems. We have already established our solution in Asia. Thanks to MPS, we are now able to bring it to the American continent.’
The new venture already counts on the support of companies such as Timex, Maurice Lacroix and Boss watches, which use #tide’s recycled plastic pellets in their product lines. This not only keeps plastic waste out of the oceans but also promotes a new circular economy, reducing dependence on the production of new plastic.
Social impact
Tide Ocean (MPS) LLC is also making a significant social impact. By paying local communities and fishermen fair wages to collect ocean-bound plastics, it provides a vital source of income in regions that are often economically disadvantaged. Furthermore, #tide’s initiatives have extended to protect endangered sea turtles that nest in Mahahual (Costa Maya), with plans to amplify this work via Tide Ocean (MPS) in other cruise ports such as Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel and Progreso.
In addition to tackling marine plastic pollution, the partnership will redefine how the cruise industry manages its operational plastic waste. This comprehensive solution includes the collection, sorting and up-cycling of a wide range of plastic types generated on cruise ships, not only diverting large volumes of waste from landfill, but also returning these materials to the production cycle.
Starting in Ensenada
The partnership is set to kick-start operations immediately in Ensenada, followed by Puerto Vallarta in October and in Progreso and Cozumel in the second quarter of 2024. As well as extending their reach to major cruise ports and coastal cities in Mexico, Tide Ocean (MPS)aims to extend its impact to the wider Caribbean region.
Traceability
‘Our innovative model ensures traceability from source to product, providing cruise industry partners and their customers with the confidence that their waste is managed responsibly,’ Trillo said. ‘By participating in this initiative, cruise lines can significantly advance their efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.’
