The Ocean Cleanup: How a simple idea aims to remove millions of tons of plastic from the ocean

When it comes to environmental protection, you often hear: “It won’t do any good anyway.” But sometimes a single idea proves the opposite – like The Ocean Cleanup, a project that is in the process of ridding our oceans of plastic.

🧠 The idea: Collect plastic where it accumulates

Dutch engineer Boyan Slat was just 18 years old when he presented his vision in 2013: Instead of laboriously fishing out plastic waste one by one, a passive system would use ocean currents to bundle the waste – and then collect it.

Sounds simple? It is. And that's exactly why it works.

🚢 The location: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The Earth's most famous garbage vortex lies between Hawaii and California and is four times the size of Germany. This is where The Ocean Cleanup's system comes into play: long, U-shaped floating barriers that capture plastic without endangering marine life.

Since 2021, the improved system "System 002 – Jenny" has been operating successfully in the Pacific Ocean and has already removed over 250 tons of plastic. The goal is to remove 90% of ocean plastic by 2040.

🏞️ But the sea is only the beginning

In addition to ocean cleanup, the team also focuses on rivers – because this is where the problem begins.

With the "Interceptor" system, The Ocean Cleanup aims to prevent plastic from entering the ocean in the first place. These floating collectors are already operating in rivers like the Klang (Malaysia), the Rio Ozama (Dominican Republic), and the Mekong (Vietnam) – around the clock, solar-powered, and emission-free.

💡 Fact: 1000 rivers worldwide are responsible for 80% of all plastic waste in the ocean.

🔄 What happens to the collected plastic?

The collected plastic is recycled and reused – for example, for sunglasses, sustainable materials, or even in educational projects. The traceability of each batch ensures that the material actually comes from the ocean – and is not simply new "greenwashing plastic."

🙌 Why this inspires us

Projects like The Ocean Cleanup show:

✅ Technology can be part of the solution

✅ Environmental problems are not unsolvable

✅ Young people can make a big difference

As a brand that is committed to being plastic-free, it is a clear message for us at Biork: every step counts.

Whether in your own shower or in the Pacific – sustainability begins with decisions.

📢 You want to know more?

🔗 www.theoceancleanup.com

💬 Share this post if you think: More courage, more technology, more sea.