Local students and international students study at the "Blue Cycle" Marine Ecological Civilization Education Base in Taizhou. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

A group of 10 international students from Taizhou University and 20 local primary school students embarked on a unique journey into marine protection on June 7 at the "Blue Cycle" Marine Ecological Civilization Education Base in Jiaojiang district of Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province.

The base serves as a hub for the digital marine pollution management and waste supervision.

Taizhou's innovative "Blue Cycle" model tackles marine plastic waste through source control, low-carbon recycling, and high-value reuse. In October 2023, this initiative won the United Nations's top environmental honor — the Champions of the Earth Award.

After a few ice-breaking games, students from countries including Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe paired with local children to begin the ocean exploration journey.

At the base, they learned that the 800,000 metric tons of garbage enter the oceans each year and explored how marine waste is being transformed through a full-chain recycling model — from collection and sorting to regeneration into reusable products.

Inside the recycling center, participants witnessed how pollutants like plastics, oil, and chemicals damage marine ecosystems — and how they are ultimately repurposed and transformed into items such as clothing and accessories. 

The event concluded with participants making eco-friendly shell lamps and signing a "Blue Pledge" to build a plastic-free future together.

As environmental challenges grow, this event highlighted that ocean protection knows no borders — and everyone shares the duty to act.