Ocean Cleanup Removes Over 50 Million KG of Plastic from Seas

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The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit founded in 2013 by Boyan Slat, has successfully retrieved over 50 million kilograms (110 million pounds) of plastic from the world's oceans. The organization has overcome early technical challenges and developed autonomous robots to make a significant impact. Focusing on the 30 urban areas contributing the most plastic to the oceans through its '30 Cities Program', The Ocean Cleanup collaborates with local governments on 'coastal sweeps' to intercept plastic before it reaches the open ocean.

Why it matters

Plastic pollution in the world's oceans is a growing environmental crisis, with research showing that a relatively small number of rivers are responsible for a large percentage of oceanic plastic waste. The Ocean Cleanup's targeted approach to intercepting plastic at the source in urban areas and waterways represents a scalable and impactful solution to this global problem.

The details

The Ocean Cleanup's process begins with 'city assessments' to gather data and secure partnerships, followed by the deployment of different plastic intercepting devices tailored to local geographies. These interceptors are then monitored using drones, GPS trackers, remote-sensing cameras, and time-lapse surveys, with the composition of the collected plastic also recorded.

• In 2013, Boyan Slat, then an 18-year-old Dutch aerospace engineering student, presented a solution to ocean plastics in a TEDx Talk.
• As of 2026, The Ocean Cleanup has retrieved over 50 million kilograms (110 million pounds) of plastic from the world's oceans.

What’s next

The Ocean Cleanup aims to remove virtually all plastics adrift in the oceans by 2040, with an estimated need for an additional $1 billion in funding to achieve this goal.