Mastercard Project
Foundation
The GlacierAlive Foundation supported the pilot projects.
17%
decline in Alpine glaciers since the turn of the millennium.
200 million
people worldwide are threatened by glacier melt and the associated water shortage.
Mastercard Project
Foundation
The GlacierAlive Foundation supported the pilot projects.
17%
decline in Alpine glaciers since the turn of the millennium.
200 million
people worldwide are threatened by glacier melt and the associated water shortage.
Mastercard Project
Initiated by Mastercard, the Glaciers Alive Foundation is implementing the “Let's protect what is truly priceless” campaign to protect Swiss glaciers.
The joint goal with Mastercard is to cover selected glaciers with glacier protection film in the summer to protect the ice mass from melting. Our foundation will decide on the final coverage area depending on the glacier location and method.
Initial experiences with microplastic-free PLA fleece
As part of the project launched by Mastercard to protect Swiss glaciers, microplastic-free Snow Protect PLA fleeces were tested on selected glaciers. The aim is to assess sustainable alternatives to conventional PP fleeces and evaluate their effectiveness in practical use.
The feedback received so far from the participating cable car operators has been positive:
We were satisfied with the PLA fleece we used (first picture); it performed just as well as PP fleece. Sewing the pieces together and removing the PLA fleece is a bit more laborious, as it is heavier.
The PLA fleece (second picture) was easy to lay out and roll up. Compared with the PP fleece, a layer of snow approximately 15–20 cm thicker was measured.
Initial practical experience suggests that microplastic-free PLA non-woven fabrics could be a promising alternative for glacier protection. Further testing and analysis will help to better assess their potential for sustainable use on glaciers.
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