Plastic trash to sustainable cash as tech boosts marine cleanup art

By Mary Bolling

An innovative project supporting First Nations artists to transform marine debris into art has gone global, with a new tech and AI-driven online marketplace. 

CQUniversity digital technology expert Dr Anwaar Ulhaq and his team partnered with Australian social enterprise Plastic Collective and artists in remote Cape York to create a groundbreaking app for the project. 

The Hunter Gatherers Network Oceans Art program, and unique art creations made from ghost nets and marine debris, were showcased at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) recently. 

Dr Ulhaq was in Cairns for the event, and said the mobile application Hunter Gatherer Network on both iOS and Android platforms helped program participants to collect data about Indigenous artists, and sell their marine debris art.

“It will empower Indigenous artist communities by facilitating the sale of art artifacts online and create a revenue stream from the important work of reducing landfill and debris waste in our oceans,” he explained.  

Within the digital support, AI also helps participants to identify and sort recyclable from non-recyclable plastics. 

The Hunter Gatherers Network Oceans Art program particularly empowers Indigenous women artists, providing equipment and training programs for recovery, repurposing and recycling of marine debris. 

Dr Ulhaq said he was proud the integration of AI and digital marketplace technologies would amplify the project's impact, sustainably empowering both the community and the environment.

“As well as creating income, this app promotes a circular economy mindset by linking the art to its source materials,” he said.

The pilot program is designed to be replicated and is available for other remote communities as a marketplace for repurposed ocean artworks.

Plastic Collective, founded by Louise Hardman, focuses on tackling plastic waste in remote communities through mobile recycling machines and grassroots empowerment. 

Wei’Num Arts, led by manager Kevin White, supports the initiative to use ghost nets and marine debris for high-quality artwork and other saleable items.