Published date 30.04.2025 Written by: Ruben Oddekalv

After a tip from local members, NMF conducted an inspection of the company Oceanize AS on April 16, 2025. The tips we received concerned general littering, large discharges of microplastics, buried waste, and a company that was not operating in accordance with its permit or taking the necessary precautions to protect the local environment.

Good intentions, poor execution.

Oceanize AS is a company that, in principle, does something very positive, as their purpose is to recycle all plastic waste coming from the aquaculture industry. Unfortunately, the company is unable to carry this out properly and currently poses a significant environmental burden on its local surroundings. The discrepancies we found stem partly from poor operations and partly from the unfortunate fact that the area in which they operate is not suitable for this purpose.

In other words, the tips unfortunately proved to be more than relevant, and the inspection resulted in both a police report being filed against the company and a comprehensive demand to the County Governor, in which we request that the County Governor reopen the supervisory case and impose a number of improvements and changes to Oceanize's operations.

Did we mention that the company's site is located on top of an old landfill, where, according to local sources, large amounts of waste are said to have been buried

An environmental problem disguised as an environmental company.

During the inspection on April 16, 2025, the Norwegian Environmental Protection Association (NMF) found clear signs of ongoing littering, extensive microplastic emissions, and waste storage without adequate control. Plastic fragments were scattered in a belt around the entire facility and followed the watercourse down to the sea. Even after previous inspections and orders for improvements, it appears that Oceanize has not taken the necessary steps to stop the emissions. The treatment system intended to capture microplastics is clearly not functioning, as plastic was found both in the stream and in the downstream terrain.

The area in which the company operates is also unsuitable for its intended purpose. Large amounts of waste have either been used as fill material or buried in the ground. Ropes, plastic fragments, and pipe parts are protruding from the soil in several places, raising suspicions that significant amounts of waste have been buried. This must be further investigated through sampling of both leachate and sediments.

There is also no physical barrier to prevent the spread of plastic to the surrounding areas. In NMF's view, this is a serious neglect, and we question how the County Governor could have previously closed the discrepancies without any significant improvement in conditions. If the treatment system has been approved in its current state, there is also reason to direct criticism at the supervisory authorities.

Serious Findings and Demand for Immediate Action

In addition to littering and lack of control, our findings show that large amounts of ropes and aquaculture nets have been stored for an extended period. It is unclear whether the company actually has the capacity or technology to recycle this material. If the operation ceases, the responsibility for cleanup could fall on the public sector, as has been seen with similar facilities elsewhere in the country.

Therefore, NMF has made the following demands to the County Governor:

1. Samples of leachate and sediments must be taken downstream from the landfill.

2. A physical barrier must be established around the entire area to prevent the spread of waste.

3. The top cover must be upgraded to ensure that contamination does not seep into the ground.

4. Financial security must be required for handling stored waste.

5. The treatment system must be improved and function without further emissions to the surroundings

6. The County Governor must provide an explanation for their previous assessment of the treatment system.

Based on these findings, we have filed a police report against Oceanize AS for violations of the Pollution Control Act. It is our firm belief that the business cannot continue until the most serious issues are addressed. NMF demands that the County Governor reopen the supervisory case and require the company to halt operations until satisfactory measures are implemented.

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