Imagine sailing between islands along Norway’s coastline—wind in your hair, sea spray on your face, and plastic waste at your feet. That was the reality for our team this September, when I led a group of Schneider Electric colleagues on a volunteering expedition in the Brønnøysund area. We partnered with the Norwegian NGO In The Same Boat (ITSB) to clean up marine litter from remote coastal islands and contribute to environmental restoration through direct action.
This initiative is part of our local biodiversity efforts in Norway—an area we’ve chosen to prioritize because of its relevance to our surroundings and the urgent need for nature protection. While our contribution may be small in the global picture, it’s meaningful, and it reflects our commitment to sustainability in practice.
The idea for the partnership came after I stumbled upon ITSB’s work through a friend’s social media post.
Inspired, I researched the organization, pitched the idea internally, and helped shape the collaboration—with support from Schneider Electric’s leadership and funding.
Plastic pollution is no longer just an environmental issue—it’s a public health crisis. Plastics make up over 85% of marine waste (UNEP, 2021), and microplastics have now been found in human brains (Nature Medicine, 2025). With ocean currents funneling global waste to Norway’s extensive coastline—12% of the world’s total—our country is particularly exposed. Many remote communities lack proper waste management, and some waste is even illegally burned or dumped.
At Schneider Electric, we believe in taking action—not just talking about it.
Partnering with ITSB allowed us to support a grassroots organization doing extraordinary work, while engaging our employees in hands-on environmental impact.
Despite stormy weather and a detour via Mo i Rana, our team—myself and seven amazing colleagues: Tor-Ivar Kristiansen, Tatiana Aynie, Alva Christiansen, Andrey Emelin, Wenche Felicia Oyvann, Nicolas Balzer, and Pierre Vergé,—was determined. After onboarding on the sailboat Qilak, we spent two full days cleaning remote islands. Equipped with professional-grade gear and walkie-talkies, we split into teams and tackled the waste—some of it deeply embedded in rocks and soil.
Together, we removed 2.4 tonnes of marine litter, much of it from the fishing industry: ropes, nets, crates, and gear. One island was so heavily polluted that we dedicated most of our time there. We also participated in a workshop with ITSB on how to build partnerships and increase support. We shared meals, hiked Torghatten, and even enjoyed a private piano concert from Rolf, ITSB’s founder.
Watch the expedition highlights here.
Seeing the problem up close changed everything.
One thing is being told about marine waste—another is witnessing it firsthand and removing it with your own hands. The experience was physically demanding but incredibly rewarding. It strengthened our team spirit and deepened our commitment to sustainability.
We also saw the critical role NGOs like ITSB play. Their Ocean CARE program—focused on Cleaning, Awareness, Research, and Engagement—is a model of impact. But they need support: financial, logistical, and human.
One of the most striking insights was the origin of the waste. A large portion came from the fishing industry. This highlights a deeper issue: the urgent need for accountability and better waste management in the sector.
ITSB has developed a waste management infrastructure for the sea—a system akin to what we have on land. It’s a powerful innovation, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals on infrastructure and life below water. But it’s not yet operational, as public funding is lacking. That’s why partnerships like ours matter: they help keep the cleanup going while pushing for systemic change.
To reach our sustainability goals, we must build partnerships for the planet.
Supporting ITSB means directly funding the removal of plastic from nature and helping protect fragile ecosystems. And one simple but powerful action we can all take is to say no to plastic. Once we become aware of how much plastic surrounds us, the need for change becomes clear. Ask yourself: Is there a non-plastic alternative? Most often, there is. With a bit of creativity, the possibilities are endless—even if the store shelves don’t always make it obvious.
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References
- Booth, A. M., et al. (2017). Microplastic in global and Norwegian marine environments: Distributions, degradation mechanisms and transport. Norwegian Environment Agency.
- Dehnhard, N., et al. (2024). Short report from the EcoQO monitoring of plastic particles in stomachs of fulmars. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research.
- Havforskningsinstituttet. (2017). 200 kilo plast og annet søppel per kvadratkilometer langs norskekysten. Retrieved from https://www.hi.no
- Nature Medicine. (2025). Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains.
- Ocean Conservancy. (2022). How are ocean animals impacted by plastics? Retrieved from https://oceanconservancy.org
- OECD. (2019). Plastics and greenhouse gas emissions. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org
- The Pew Charitable Trusts. (2020). Breaking the Plastic Wave. Retrieved from https://www.systemiq.earth
- UNEP. (2021). From Pollution to Solution: Global Assessment of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org
- UNEP. (2022). Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution. Retrieved from https://wedocs.unep.org
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