The Ocean Cleanup: Turning the Tide on Plastic Pollution

The Ocean Cleanup is a global nonprofit engineering organization developing advanced technologies to remove plastic from the world’s oceans and intercept waste in rivers before it reaches the sea. Founded in 2013 by Dutch inventor Boyan Slat, the initiative has grown into one of the most ambitious environmental efforts of the 21st century.

The Problem: Plastic Pollution on a Global Scale

Plastic waste has become ubiquitous in the world’s oceans, harming marine life, disrupting ecosystems, and breaking down into microplastics that enter food chains. Rivers are a major source — carrying millions of kilograms of trash from inland communities to coastal waters each year.

A Two-Pronged Technological Strategy

To address this crisis, The Ocean Cleanup has developed a dual strategy:

1. River Interceptors

Solar-powered systems installed in polluted waterways capture plastic waste before it reaches the ocean. These Interceptor™ devices automate waste collection in heavily polluted rivers, helping stop the flow at its source.

2. Ocean Cleanup Systems

In the open ocean — particularly in gyres like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — floating barriers and retention zones capture and concentrate plastic debris so it can be brought ashore and recycled.

A Record-Breaking Year: 2025 In Review

2025 was the most impactful year yet in The Ocean Cleanup’s history according to their official “Year in Review” report:

Major Achievements

• >25 million kilograms of trash removed from aquatic environments in 2025 alone, propelling the total lifetime catch to over 45 million kilograms.

• Technologies and processes were optimized to operate more efficiently and responsibly across river and ocean deployments.

Strategic Milestones

• Announced the 30 Cities Program — a major initiative designed to target river plastic sources in up to 30 of the world’s most polluting urban areas, potentially cutting river-borne plastic entering the ocean by about a third.

• Continued research expansion and citizen science engagement to set new industry standards and broaden scientific understanding of plastic pollution dynamics.

• Increased collaboration with local partners, authorities, and communities for long-lasting impact beyond short-term cleanup activities.

Visual Highlights

The 2025 recap includes imagery and stories from around the world — from new sorting facilities on rivers like the Klang in Malaysia, to coastal sweeps removing legacy plastic, to deployments of Interceptors across diverse geographies.

Long-Term Vision & Goals

The Ocean Cleanup’s bold mission is to remove 90 % of all floating ocean plastic by 2040 — a goal achievable only by combining large-scale cleanup technologies, river interception to stall inflow, targeted coastal operations, research, and global policy influence.

From Cleanups to Circular Impact

Collected plastic waste is not merely removed — it’s sorted, recycled, and transformed into new materials or products, closing loops in the material lifecycle and raising public awareness about the value of reclaimed plastic.

Beyond Technology: Research & Policy

The organization also invests in scientific research to understand the environmental and social benefits of cleanup operations. Their work informs international policy and encourages systemic change, from plastic production reduction to enhanced waste management standards.

Why It Matters

Plastic pollution isn’t just an aesthetic issue — it threatens marine life, coastal communities, and even human health via chemical contamination. By stopping plastic at the source and removing what’s already in the environment, The Ocean Cleanup is helping turn the tide toward healthier oceans and more resilient ecosystems.