Stopping Ocean Plastic Pollution at its Source | WILD HOPE

Summary

The Ocean Cleanup project, founded by Boyan Slat, addresses the growing issue of plastic pollution in the world's oceans. After a formative experience diving at age 16, Boyan developed a concept to remove plastic waste from the oceans, ultimately creating a system that uses natural ocean currents to gather debris. The initiative targets both oceanic garbage patches and rivers, which are major sources of pollution. With an ambitious goal to remove 90% of floating ocean plastics by 2040, Boyan's team has already collected over 9,000 tons of plastic, offering hope for cleaner oceans and healthier ecosystems.

Takeaways

• 😀 Boyan Slat, at 16, was shocked by the amount of plastic waste he saw while scuba diving, which led to his drive to find a solution for ocean pollution.
• 😀 In 2013, Boyan launched The Ocean Cleanup project, aiming to remove plastic from the world's oceans, starting with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
• 😀 The Great Pacific Garbage Patch contains about 87,000 tons of plastic, and there are four other similar areas across the oceans.
• 😀 Plastic pollution is a major threat to marine life, causing harm to seabirds, turtles, whales, and other marine mammals, and can even disrupt human food chains through microplastics.
• 😀 The Ocean Cleanup initially faced years of prototyping challenges but finally succeeded in 2021 with a two-vessel system designed to remove ocean plastic.
• 😀 Since its launch, The Ocean Cleanup has scaled up its efforts and now cleans an area the size of a football field every five seconds.
• 😀 By 2021, The Ocean Cleanup had collected 7,000 kilos of plastic, a feat now achievable in just a day and a half from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
• 😀 Boyan's team aims to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040, but prevention is a key part of the solution, focusing on preventing plastic from entering the ocean in the first place.
• 😀 The Ocean Cleanup expanded its operations to focus on rivers, as 1,000 rivers contribute to 80% of ocean plastic, and began tackling polluted rivers in countries like Guatemala, Indonesia, and Jamaica.
• 😀 The Kingston Harbour Cleanup in Jamaica serves as a successful example, using an interceptor barrier system to collect plastic from polluted waterways and providing opportunities for local communities to engage in the cleanup process.

Q & A

What inspired Boyan Slat to start his mission to remove plastic from the oceans?

Boyan Slat was inspired by a scuba diving experience at the age of 16, where he was hoping to see vibrant reefs and fish but instead found an overwhelming amount of plastic waste. This shocking experience led him to ask why the oceans couldn’t be cleaned up.

How did Boyan Slat's high school science project contribute to the creation of The Ocean Cleanup?

Boyan Slat's science project focused on studying plastic pollution and how to clean it up. His original idea was to create a long floating barrier in the ocean, using natural currents to collect plastic. This idea eventually led to the creation of The Ocean Cleanup in 2013.

What is the scale of plastic pollution in the world's oceans?

It is estimated that up to 14 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year. This plastic pollution is persistent and can remain in the environment for hundreds of years, causing significant harm to marine life and humans.

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and why is it significant?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest concentration of plastic trash on the planet, with 87,000 tons floating just beneath the surface. It is significant because it is a major area of plastic pollution, and it represents one of the many patches of plastic waste in the world's oceans.

How does plastic pollution affect marine life and humans?

Plastic pollution kills thousands of marine animals each year, either through entanglement or ingestion. The smaller pieces of plastic, known as microplastics, enter the food chain, affecting not only marine animals but also humans who consume seafood. These plastics can cause health problems like neurological disorders and disrupt the endocrine system.

What technological developments did The Ocean Cleanup team make over the years?

After years of prototyping, The Ocean Cleanup team developed a two-vessel system in 2021. This system uses a floating boom and a permeable skirt to collect plastic, which is then hauled to shore for recycling.

What progress has The Ocean Cleanup made in terms of plastic removal?

By 2021, The Ocean Cleanup had removed about 7,000 kilograms of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. With advancements in their systems, they are now able to collect that same amount in just one-and-a-half days.

What is Boyan Slat's target for plastic removal by 2040, and what challenges remain?

Boyan Slat aims to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040. However, this goal is challenging as it involves not only cleaning existing pollution but also preventing new plastic from entering the oceans, especially from heavily polluted rivers.

Why did The Ocean Cleanup focus on rivers, and how does it work?

The Ocean Cleanup expanded to target rivers because 1,000 rivers are responsible for about 80% of the plastic pollution entering the oceans. The team uses interceptor barriers to catch plastic in rivers, preventing it from flowing into the ocean. These barriers are designed to capture debris during rainfall when the current is strong.

How is The Ocean Cleanup's project in Jamaica impacting local communities?

In Jamaica, The Ocean Cleanup has partnered with local organizations to tackle plastic waste in Kingston's waterways. The project not only reduces plastic pollution but also supports local communities by creating jobs and improving the health of local ecosystems. The interceptor barriers have helped clear debris, benefiting the fishing community by restoring healthier waters.