Ocean-Notarized Assets, AI Plastic Verification, and Reconnecting with Nature: In Conversation with Britt Trago

“Make sure you’re not on TikTok or Instagram all day – delete it and go outside! Find that connection with nature and the people around you. When you find your passion, you’ll have all the power to protect it.” – Britt Trago

Growing up living on a boat in a Dutch national park, Britt Trago learned early on that human life and natural ecosystems are deeply intertwined. Today, as co-founder and Chief Impact Officer at Universal Plastic, Britt leverages cutting-edge technology – including AI image classification, geolocation, and blockchain verification – to incentivize global plastic collection and turn waste data into policy-changing marine science.

We caught up with Britt to talk about creating Ocean-Notarized Digital Assets (ONDAs), helping companies “become blue,” and why protecting the ocean starts with disconnecting from screens and stepping outside.

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Snapshot Profile

• Name: Britt Trago
• Role: Co-founder & Chief Impact Officer at Universal Plastic
• Specialism: Tech for Good, Social Development, Plastic Waste Verification, & AI Marine Data
• Roots: Raised on a boat in a natural park in the Netherlands
• Key Innovation: Pioneered dMRV (digital Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) for ocean plastic collection

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The Interview

Why is protecting the ocean so personal to you?

Britt: I grew up on a boat in the Netherlands, living inside a natural park. It wasn’t just living on a boat that made it special – it was living in harmony with nature. From a young age, I was inspired by the relationship between the people living in that boat community and the natural world around them.

It’s the exact same with the ocean. Protecting it isn’t just about staring at the water itself; it’s about nurturing the relationship we hold with the ocean in order to safeguard it for the future.

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How is Universal Plastic using technology to create real ocean impact?

Britt: Together with my team, we created Universal Plastic to inspire businesses to do good for the ocean and regenerate ecosystems from plastic waste.

We built an application where companies financially sponsor “Ocean Defenders” – everyday individuals and communities collecting plastic waste across the globe. Through the app:

• AI & Geolocation Verification: Users follow protocol steps, submitting photos where our integrated AI analyzes the types, sizes, and quantities of collected plastic while tracking geolocation.
• Ocean-Notarized Digital Assets (ONDAs): This verified dataset creates an ONDA – a transparent, immutable proof protocol confirming the plastic collection genuinely occurred.
• Big Data for Ocean Science: In collaboration with marine research partners like BCSS in Mozambique, this data feeds into scientific research to address the root causes of plastic pollution, inform policymakers, and drive systemic change.

This model allows corporate partners to “become blue” by transparently funding verified plastic cleanups with complete accountability.

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What role should the surfing community play in supporting ocean health?

Britt: Surfing is inherently about catching that incredible wave, getting an adrenaline rush, watching the swell forecast for days, and riding that excitement. That’s a huge, beautiful part of the sport.

However, surfing shouldn’t only be about catching waves. Surfers play a vital role in showcasing what makes having a deep relationship with the ocean so special. Prominent surfers and industry leaders need to take an active stand to show the world why protecting that relationship is paramount.

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Final Thought

Britt: “My tip to everyone: make sure you’re not spending so much time on TikTok or Instagram – delete those apps and go outside! Head into your neighborhood, go to the ocean, or walk into the forest to reconnect with nature and the people around you. Once you find that passion, you will have all the power you need to protect it. Imagine if everyone did that – we could make a massive change.”