A recent article about legislation to promote the use of blockchain technology in Washington state referred to it as “cryptocurrency technology.” Increasingly, however, it is an environmental technology that is being used to reduce ocean plastic and even make chocolate more sustainable.
For example, an organization called Plastic Bank uses blockchain to track the plastic it removes from beaches in developing countries, reporting the data using blockchain. This is extremely valuable to companies like SC Johnson that purchase the collected plastic and recycle it into Windex bottles. The blockchain-verified data allow them to prove the environmental benefits.
Transparent blockchain accounting is also being used to prevent illegal fishing. A company called Traseable is helping fishers track their catch from “bait to plate” to let consumers know their fish was caught legally and sustainably. Similarly, a chocolate bar called The Other Bar used blockchain to let buyers know where the chocolate was grown in Ecuador and provided an opportunity to plant another tree to help farmers produce more chocolate.
Although blockchain was popularized by cryptocurrencies, it is now being applied to several difficult environmental problems. That’s good news for the planet.
