Maldives SHiFT Archives - eXXpedition

Press release: Key findings from a plastic pollution assessment in Maldives May 8th, 2024

We expect plastic in packaging... but what if it’s also in the food?

A recent study published in Springer Nature has revealed that microplastics aren’t just sneaking in through ocean currents - they’re entering our bodies through everyday meals. Researchers found more microplastics in drinks from glass bottles (yes, glass!) than plastic ones - thanks to the polyester lining inside metal caps.

Even more alarming? Processed foods like chicken nuggets contained 30x more microplastics than whole foods like fresh vegetables. And everyday habits - like microwaving leftovers in plastic containers or sipping from reusable plastic cups - could be adding to our daily plastic intake.

At eXXpedition, we’re used to finding microplastics in the most remote corners of the ocean. But this is a powerful reminder: the plastic problem starts long before it reaches the sea. It’s in our homes, our habits, and even our meals.

Time to rethink not just what we eat, but how we eat it.

📸: @larkrisepictures

#microplastics #plasticpollution #eXXpedition #planetaryhealth #reduceplastic #sustainableliving #circularsolutions #fromlandtosea #humanhealth #everydaychoices #cleanseas #solutionsfocused

Where it all began. Out of sight and mind for mos

Where it all began.

Out of sight and mind for most of us, there are countless ‘unseens’ when it comes to ocean plastic and toxic pollution – from the tiny scale of microplastics to the vast ocean they pollute.

Founders Emily Penn and Lucy Gilliam were curious to know if chemicals associated with plastic were hidden inside their bodies too, as Emily’s early research missions revealed that plastic was entering the food chain.

Emily was tested for 35 chemical pollutants, all banned by the UN because they are toxic to humans, and 29 were found in her blood.

Some of these chemicals are carcinogens, which increase the risk of developing other life-threatening diseases; and many are endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors mimic hormones, and stop important chemical messages moving around our bodies. For women, this can pose a particular problem during pregnancy. And these chemicals can then be passed on to babies in the womb, and through breastfeeding.

Joining the dots between plastic, the ocean and ourselves, and motivated by the possible effects of pollutants on female health, this experience was one of the catalysts for eXXpedition’s first voyage in 2014.

Our voyages have made visible the plastic that’s spread to hidden corners of our planet and the many solutions available to tackle it. At the same time, we’ve highlighted ‘unseens’ in other areas too; particularly celebrating the work of women in science, sport, exploration and sailing where women remain unacknowledged and under-represented.

At eXXpedition we’re passionate about addressing the balance through positive role models. Which is why we gather teams of talented women from all disciplines; to experience the plastic problem, collect data, make connections, and figure out how to tackle it together.

📸: Fade Meraki Manning

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#eXXpedition #womeninscience #womeninstem #plasticpollution #changemakers #oceanplastics #microplastics #womenwhosail #marinescience #marineresearch #solutionfocused #adventure #citizenscience #microplastic

There’s no silver bullet to solve plastic pollut

There’s no silver bullet to solve plastic pollution. This means our approach to studying the issue needs to be diverse.

A lot of our research to date has focused on understanding the extent, source and impact of microplastics in the ocean. We do this by conducting holistic assessments of marine and land-based plastic pollution.

Whether it be conducting circularity assessment (CAP) surveys on land or collecting sub-surface samples at sea, we have to look at each piece of the puzzle. We build up a complete picture of the problem in order to pinpoint where the solutions lie on land.

Again and again our holistic approach, and the results it yields, has highlighted the need for more interdisciplinary and integrated studies. Plastic pollution is a multifaceted issue, which can only be understood and tackled via a multifaceted approach to research and solutions.

📸: @larkrisepictures

#eXXpedition #plasticpollution #changemakers #oceanplastics #microplastics #womenwhosail #marinescience #marineresearch #solutionfocused #adventure #changemakers

Microplastics aren’t just in our ocean - they’

Microplastics aren’t just in our ocean - they’re in our soil too.

A new study by the @‌jameshuttoninst has found that just four years of applying sewage sludge to farmland led to a staggering 1,450% increase in microplastics in the soil. And perhaps more worrying - these particles have remained for over two decades.

While sludge is commonly used as fertiliser, it's often laden with microplastics from household waste, synthetic clothing fibres, and personal care products. Once in the soil, these particles don’t simply stay put - they break down into even smaller nanoplastics, with the potential to enter food chains and disrupt soil health.

Yet at present, there are no regulations that limit the amount of microplastic in sewage sludge applied to land.

At eXXpedition, we often speak about the journey of plastic from land to sea - but this is a clear reminder that the story begins much earlier, and often invisibly. It’s time to rethink how we manage waste and protect both ocean and soil ecosystems from long-lasting plastic pollution.

Let’s connect the dots between land and sea.

#exxpedition #microplastics #plasticpollution #wastemanagement #solutions #seatosource #nanoplastics #newstudy #wavesofchange

We’re thrilled to celebrate the upcoming release

We’re thrilled to celebrate the upcoming release of The Nature of Fashion — a powerful new book by our incredible ambassador @carrysomers, co-founder of @fash_rev and one of the most inspiring voices in sustainable fashion!

In this beautifully written journey through landscapes, fibres and time, Carry takes us on a journey through the origins of what we wear — exploring how plants have shaped fashion for millennia, and how they might hold the key to a more regenerative, nature-connected future.

Books like this are vital. They remind us that fashion isn’t just about trends — it’s about ecosystems, histories, cultures, and choices. As we work to rethink the systems polluting our oceans, it’s voices like Carry’s that show how reconnecting with nature can drive real, systemic change across industries.

Since joining us on board from the Galápagos to Easter Island, Carry has continued to make waves across industries, championing transparency, regeneration and justice from soil to stitch. This book is not just a call to reconnect with nature — it’s a roadmap for reshaping fashion’s future.

A huge congratulations, Carry — we can’t wait to see how this book inspires the next wave of changemakers. 📖

Available wherever you get your books from the 16th September in the UK and 11th November in the US!

#thenatureoffashion #carrysomers #barnesandnoble #BNPreorder #fashionrevolution #sustainablefashion #slowfashion #regenerativefashion #ecofashion #eXXpedition #ambassador #wavesofimpact #womeninsustainability #changemakers #consciousconsumer

We love this reminder from our ambassador, Claudia

We love this reminder from our ambassador, Claudia Haltern!

In the face of the plastic pollution crisis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or question whether your actions matter. But change doesn't always come from grand gestures - it starts with small, consistent steps.

A shift in mindset, a single decision, a simple habit - these are the sparks that drive collective impact. Never underestimate the power of your choices.

Even the smallest action can ripple into something much bigger.

#exxpedition #ambassador #impact #inspiringwomen #wavesofchange #microplastics #plasticpollution #solutionsfocused

Eyewitness experience is one of the most powerful

Eyewitness experience is one of the most powerful tools for change.

Those who live or work near the ocean often feel the impact of plastic pollution most acutely - it’s personal, immediate, and impossible to ignore.

At eXXpedition, we bring people to the heart of the issue - our coastlines, remote communities, and even the middle of the ocean - places many would never otherwise see.

Once you’ve witnessed the scale and reality of plastic pollution firsthand, you can’t unsee it. That experience gives our crew the confidence, urgency, and credibility to return home as passionate storytellers and changemakers.

📸: @nomadmnemonics

#impact #personalexperience #communities #storytellers #eXXpedition #womeninscience #womeninstem #plasticpollution #changemakers #oceanplastics #microplastics #womenwhosail #marinescience #marineresearch #solutionfocused #citizenscience #microplastic

Tackling ocean plastic pollution requires bold, mu

Tackling ocean plastic pollution requires bold, multidisciplinary, and multinational action - driven by an empowered global community.

That’s why we bring together diverse crews on our transformative voyages, offering firsthand experience at sea or immersive learning on land and online. These experiences deepen scientific understanding and equip each person to apply their unique skills - their “superpower” - to be part of the solution.

The result? Targeted, meaningful action on land - locally and globally - to stop plastic pollution at its source, before it ever reaches the ocean.

📸: @larkrisepictures

#community #communityaction #diversity #solutions #womeninscience #womeninstem #plasticpollution #changemakers #oceanplastics #microplastics #exxpedition #solutionfocused #citizenscience

A step forward in tackling microplastic pollution!

A step forward in tackling microplastic pollution!

We’re excited to see @cleanerseasgroup has opened the world’s first dedicated microplastic recycling facility in Bude - specifically designed to recycle microplastics collected from beaches and waterways.

While we need to keep implementing solutions that reduce the production of plastic in the first place, we still need solutions to deal with the pollution that’s already out there.

Every time we set sail on an eXXpedition voyage, we collect microplastic samples from some of the most remote parts of the planet. These tiny fragments - often invisible to the naked eye - can persist in marine ecosystems for decades. Until now, there’s been no effective way to recycle them. This facility offers one possible way forward.

The new centre can process up to 86 tonnes of microfibres every year, collected from washing machine filters that stop plastic fibres from ever reaching our rivers and seas. These fibres are then recycled into new materials — such as packaging, construction components, and even parts for batteries — through a closed-loop, low-impact process.

It’s not the whole solution, but it’s an example of how targeted innovation can play a part in the wider fight against plastic pollution and build real circular solutions for our ocean.

Congratulations to the Cleaner Seas Group for turning an idea into action!

📸: @sophiedingwall

#microplastics #plasticpollution #eXXpedition #oceanconservation #cleanseas #cornwall #innovationfortheplanet #wavesofchange #soltuions #circulareconomy

There’s no silver bullet for solving plastic pol

There’s no silver bullet for solving plastic pollution.

This crisis stems from countless sources - so our solutions must be just as diverse. That’s why at eXXpedition, we bring together crew from all walks of life, across careers, cultures, and continents.

You don’t have to dedicate your entire life to the cause or be an environmentalist by profession. Real impact happens when people use their unique skills to create change:
🛠️ An engineer designing better waste systems.
🔬 A chemist developing sustainable materials.
📚 A teacher inspiring the next generation.
🏢 A policymaker shaping legislation.
🎨 An artist bringing the issue to life through story.

No matter where we live, we’re all connected by one shared ocean - and we each have a role to play. Let’s find ours, and work together.

📸: @larkrisepictures

#diversity #hollisticapproach #inclusivity #eXXpedition #womeninscience #womeninstem #plasticpollution #changemakers #oceanplastics #microplastics #womenwhosail #marinescience #marineresearch #solutionfocused #citizenscience

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