Clewat Oy, which has specialized in cleaning waters, has awarded the largest sum by the Bank of Ålands´ Baltic Sea Project , 130 000 euros. The funding will be used for the development of innovative new snow melting technique. Embedded in snow, thousands of kilograms of garbage and millions of microplastic particles end up in the Baltic Sea each winter.
The Baltic Sea Project improves the state of Baltic Sea by funding good ideas and inspiring people into action. Anne-Maria Salonius, chairperson of the jury at the Baltic Sea Project and Head of Finland Division at the Bank of Åland, is delighted to see the variety and creativity of the projects looking to help the Baltic Sea.
– We are so happy we can make all these impactful projects become a reality. Together we can make a difference, Salonius says. The goal of funding decisions of the jury at the Baltic Sea Project is to enable long-term cooperations with different actors. The Bank of Åland and Clewat have cooperated since 2017.
Cleaning the seas from marine litter
Clewat wants to see the change in seas by cleaning them from marine litter, oil and harmful vegetation. Also melting of snow helps seas, especially the Baltic Sea, to feel better. This winter Clewat has been electrically melting hundreds of truckloads of snow in Helsinki. The device has been able to filter nearly all garbage out of the snow, from pin heads to bicycles. This year´s funding allows Clewat to begin testing a new, bigger version of eco-friendly snow melting device on Baltic shores.
– We need effective, environmentally-friendly solutions and lots of expertise to tackle the problems caused by climate change and the loss of biodiversity, says Marko Kärkkäinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Clewat.
– We are happy and proud that our important work is supported by Baltic Sea project, he continues.
– The Baltic Sea needs no more harmful load and snow melting with our technique minimizes for example the amount of micro plastics at water systems.
Clewat thanks for the support we received and now we continue our important work for the seas.