The Ocean Cleanup, technologies to extract, prevent, intercept plastic pollution
The Ocean Cleanup

                
                
                                
        
            

        We develop and scale technologies to rid the oceans of plastic

            Our cleaning technologies are deployed around the world as we conduct the largest cleanup in history. For over ten years, The Ocean Cleanup has been researching, extracting, and monitoring plastic pollution in oceans and rivers globally – with millions of kilograms removed to date.

        

        

        
            

        A planet-sized problem

            Trillions of pieces of plastic pollute our oceans today, and the problem is worsening. This plastic has a devastating impact on marine wildlife and ecosystems. Plastics can persist for many decades, continuously degrading into microplastics. These can be ingested by wildlife and later enter the human food chain. Plastic pollution is a global crisis requiring urgent action.

        

        

        
            

        We aim to clean up 90% of floating ocean plastic pollution by 2040

            The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. To achieve this objective, we use a dual strategy: intercepting plastic in rivers to cut the inflow of pollution, and cleaning up what has already accumulated in the ocean and won’t go away by itself. When the oceans are clean, we can put ourselves out of business.

        

        

        
                
            
                
                                

    
            
            
    

        





    
    
                    
                    
        

                    
                    
        
    
                    

    



    
    
        Cleaning the ocean

        The Ocean Cleanup is cleaning up floating plastics caught swirling in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a plastic accumulation zone with over 100,000,000 kilograms of plastic. 
        Learn more
    

        
            
            
    

        





    
    
                    
                    
        

                    
                    
        
    
                    

    



    
    
        Intercepting in rivers

        To clean the oceans, we also need to stop new trash from flowing into them. By tackling 1000 rivers around the world, we can halt 80% of riverine pollution reaching our oceans. 
        Learn more
    

        
        

        
                
            
                
                                
                    

        The latest news

        
        
                        
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            14 OctoberKia x The Ocean Cleanup: launching their first-ever car accessory made using plastic extracted from the GPGP
            
                
                                    View the page
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            6 SeptemberReplay the live event: the Great Pacific Garbage Patch can be cleaned for $7.5 billion
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            16 AugustThe hardest parts about the offshore cleanup
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            8 AugustIntroducing Interceptor: 021 in Guatemala
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            30 JulyNew research reveals no elevated densities of neuston within plastic hotspots inside the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            16 JulyThe #TeamSeas campaign has successfully concluded
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            12 JulyImpact update: we have passed a total of 15,000,000 kg
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            25 JuneTimelapse: one month of Interceptor 006 operations in Guatemala
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            20 JuneFrom river plastic to Coldplay LP
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            17 JuneThe Ocean Cleanup and Coldplay announce LP made using plastic intercepted in Guatemala
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            23 MayHighlights from our 100th catch livestream
            
                
                                    Read the press release
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            31 MayThe Dutch State renews its support for The Ocean Cleanup’s activities in the high seas
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            27 MayPlastic extraction #100 LIVE from the GPGP this week
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            23 MayThe Ocean Cleanup to complete 100th extraction live from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
            
                
                                    Read the press release
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            11 MayThe people behind Interceptor 019 in Thailand
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            1 MayExperts debunk 9 myths about ocean plastic pollution
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            25 AprilGlobal Plastics Treaty: why legacy plastic cleanup is essential
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            22 AprilThe Ocean Cleanup breaks 10,000,000 kg barrier
            
                
                                    Read the press release
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            17 AprilWill this be our biggest ever river catch?
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            9 AprilThe Ocean Cleanup returns to Great Pacific Garbage Patch
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            26 MarchBangkok begins: The Ocean Cleanup comes to Thailand
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            20 MarchFirst System 03 extraction this year
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            18 MarchA new way to join the mission: fundraise to help clean up
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            12 MarchSystem 03 - plans for 2024
            
                
                                                                                    See on X
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            20 FebruaryInterceptor 019 deployment underway in Bangkok, Thailand
            
                
                                                            Read more on Twitter
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            19 FebruaryHow does plastic end up in rivers?
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            29 JanuaryMumbai Calling: The Ocean Cleanup and Bharat Clean Rivers Foundation Join Forces in India
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            26 JanuaryKingston, Jamaica: The first Interceptor city
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            13 January
The horrific impact of ocean plastic: two turtles entrapped in…
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            28 December
2023: Our Most Impactful Year Yet
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            23 December
2,000,000 kg of trash intercepted by Interceptor 002
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            20 December
We now have 7 Interceptors in Kingston's gullies stopping trash…
            
                
                                                            See on Facebook
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            18 December
We have removed over 8,000,000 kg (17.8m lb) of trash…
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            27 NovemberMalaysia and The Ocean Cleanup Extend Cooperation
            
                
                                    Read the press release
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            20 NovemberMaersk Supply Service and related parties extend their support to The Ocean Cleanup
            
                
                                    Read the press release
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            15 NovemberThe Ocean Cleanup And Coldplay Renew Partnership With Interceptor 020 In Jakarta, Indonesia
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            14 NovemberLasting Damage: Why Cleanup Is Essential To Tackle Microplastics
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            9 NovemberHow We Ensure An Environmentally Sound Cleanup
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            19 October
3,000,000 kg of trash that will not reach the Caribbean…
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            13 October
Trash or treasure? Some of the strangest items recovered from…
            
                
                                                            See on Facebook
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            7 October
This Was the First Step of System 03
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            4 OctoberFrom CGI to IRL: Ocean Cleaning Made Reality
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            21 SeptemberSystem 03: Our Biggest Plastic Extraction to Date
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            31 AugustSystem 03: A Beginner’s Guide
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            30 August
System 03 nickname reveal
            
                
                                                            See on Tiktok
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            28 AugustGoodbye System 002, hello System 03
            
                
                                                            See on Facebook
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            25 AugustWhat Jenny Taught Us: Lessons from System 002
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            18 AugustLast trip of System 002
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            15 AugustGoing back to shore to offload 55 metric tons
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            11 August
Record Catch: 11,353 kg of plastic out of the ocean
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            2 August
Interceptor 006 record catch: 89 truckloads in a day.
            
                
                                                                                    See on X
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            31 July
Another 69 truckloads of trash removed in Guatemala last week.
            
                
                                                            See on Facebook
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            26 JulyInterceptor Barrier and Interceptor Tender stopping trash at Tivoli Gully in Jamaica.
            
                
                                                            View on LinkedIn
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            21 JulySystem 002: mission progress report
            
                
                                                            View on YouTube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            12 July Interceptor 002 caught a lot of trash from the heavy rains on the Klang River in Malaysia last week.
            
                
                                                            View on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            11 JulyOver one thousand truckloads of trash removed from the Rio Las Vacas, Guatemala.
            
                
                                                            View on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            6 JulyThe Ocean Cleanup announces partnership with Hyundai Glovis
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            29 JuneOver 1.5m kg of trash collected with Interceptor 006 in Guatemala
            
                
                                                            View on Twitter
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            28 June"We have this super-human level of perseverance. We are focused on the goal."
            
                
                                                            Listen to the podcast
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            14 JuneInterceptor Barricade Makes Promising Start in Guatemala ahead of First Seasonal Heavy Floods
            
                
                                    Read the press release
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            7 JuneOur Cleanup Progress Offshore as System 002 Gets Bigger
            
                
                                                            View on YouTube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            5 JuneInterceptor 006 Is Ready to Tackle Trash Floods in Guatemala
            
                
                                                            See on YouTube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            25 MayHumanity Is Addicted to Plastic, but We Can Still Keep It Out of Our Oceans
            
                
                                                            Read in The New York Times
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            16 MayIntroducing the Interceptor Barricade: The Ocean Cleanup returns to Guatemala
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            12 MayInterceptor 020 to be deployed in Cisadane, Indonesia
            
                
                                    Read the press release
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            11 MayOcean Plastic Pollution Explained
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            9 MaySystem 002/C completes its debut extraction
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            8 MayInterceptor 007's final offload of its first storm season in LA County, US
            
                
                                                                                    See on X
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            1 MayOur biggest cleanup system so far, System 002/C has been deployed last Friday
            
                
                                                            See on Linkedin
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            25 AprilInitial deployment of System 002/C scheduled for tomorrow
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            5 AprilSystem 002 and marine life: prevention and mitigation
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            4 April200,000 kg of plastic extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
            
                
                                                                                    See on X
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            28 FebruaryWe are returning to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch with System 002/B in one week
            
                
                                                                                    See on X
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            15 FebruaryCelebrating 10 years
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            9 FebruaryThe Ocean Cleanup and the United Nations: Partnering with UNDP
            
                
                                    Read the update
                            
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            17 JanuaryInterceptor 002 filled up in less than 2,5 hours on December 19
            
                
                                                            See on Instagram
                                                
        
    

                
                            
                    

    
        
            
            


    


    
    
                    
        

                    
        
    
                    

    




        
        
                            29 December2022 Recap
            
                
                                                            See on Youtube
                                                
        
    

                
                    
    
        
                
            
                
                                    

        

        
                        
                
                    
                                                
                    
                    Help clean
                    Your donations and help enable us to work on our common goal of ridding the world's oceans of plastic.

                                            
                                    
            
                        
                
                    
                                                
                    
                    Join the team
                    To complete one of the most ambitious engineering projects of this generation, we seek dedicated, focused and inventive minds to join our international team. 

                                            
                                    
            
                        
                
                    
                                                
                    
                    Spread the word
                    The power of the crowd is what lead to the start of The Ocean Cleanup back in 2013. Be part of the movement on social media.

                                            
                                    
            
                    

    
        
                
            
                
        
                
            
                
                                
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    The Ocean Cleanup is a bold idea to confront the significant challenge of restoring our ocean ecosystem. This is a unique opportunity to profoundly impact our environment, pursuing an ambitious solution to remove plastic waste from our oceans with significant benefits for wildlife, the food chain and community health.

                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    We are your big fans and admirers, and we are so happy that we got to partner with you on Interceptor 005, which we refer to as Neon Moon 1
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    The first real plan to try to clean things up.
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    I believe [The Ocean Cleanup] will find a way. 
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    With Boyan's innovative leadership, I believe The Ocean Cleanup will have an incredibly positive impact on the future of our oceans. I hope other leaders will join us in supporting these efforts.
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    [The Ocean Cleanup's] success could significantly reduce marine animals fatalities and enable numerous marine species [...] to survive
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    A symbol of not only preaching, but also acting.
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    In order to keep 7.5 billion of us alive and prosperous and healthy, it takes work and it takes initiative. [...] That's what The Ocean Cleanup is all about and we absolutely need their work.
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    Congratulations on the success so far. [...] I am really inspired by the work you guys continue to do.
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    What is interesting to see [...] is that you are using nature to solve the mess we are doing on this planet.
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    [...] there is no doubt that your efforts will truly have lasting, positive impact on our local and international communities.
                                

                                
                            
                        
                                                
                            
                                

                                
                                    Boyan Slat is inspiring people, organizations and governments to find solutions to the escalating threat of plastic debris in our oceans, while also serving as a reminder to us all that more work needs to be done [...]
                                

                                
                            
                        
                    
        
                
            
                
                                

                    

        Partners

        
                    
                                Thanks to our partners we can clean the oceans.


                


    
            
                    
        
                
            
                
                                    

        
                
    