The Ocean Cleanup

Progress and Promise of a Better Future

Author

Mark Brunjes
October 16, 2023

Ah, the ocean, that vast expanse of blue that covers more than 70% of our planet. It's home to a myriad of marine life, a source of food for billions, and, unfortunately, a dumping ground for our plastic waste. The UN estimates at least 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year.

Enter The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization on a mission to rid the oceans of plastic. Sounds like a superhero, right? Well, in a world drowning in plastic, they kind of are. Let's dive into the story of this organization, their journey so far, and what the future holds for them. Grab your snorkel, and let’s dive in!

The Beginning

The story of The Ocean Cleanup begins with a young Dutch inventor named Boyan Slat. At the tender age of 16, he found himself diving in Greece, only to be surrounded by more plastic bags than fish. This experience sparked a passion in him to solve the problem of ocean plastic pollution.

After years of research, development, and fundraising, The Ocean Cleanup was officially founded in 2013. The organization started with a grand vision: to develop advanced technologies to rid the world's oceans of plastic. The journey to their first solution, System 001, was filled with prototypes, tests, and a whole lot of determination.

The Ocean Cleanup's Rollercoaster Ride: A Quick Peek đźŽ˘

2018: System 001 - AKA "Wilson" In 2018, The Ocean Cleanup launched "Wilson". Picture this: a 600-meter-long pipe just floating around with a 3m deep net hanging below. Sounds cool, right? But, oh boy, did it have its drama! The net decided to go with the flow (literally) and, to add to the soap opera, an 80m section just snapped. And of course, there was the worry of aquatic life getting trapped.

2019: System 001B - The Comeback Kid After a bit of TLC and some repairs, enter System 001B. This one had a sea anchor, kind of like a brake, to make it chill a bit. And guess what? By October 2019, it managed to snag a small amount of plastic souvenirs from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Not a truckload, but hey, baby steps!

2021: System 002 - Meet "Jenny" Fast forward to 2021, and we meet "Jenny". She's not just Wilson's successor; she's a whole new beast. With two ships giving her a tow and a fancy "active propulsion" system, she's on a mission. And that old design? Tossed it. Jenny's got a pocket in her net, like a kangaroo pouch but for trash. By the end of 2022, she'd bagged a whopping 153 tonnes of plastic. Some big strides, but still not enough.

System 002 “Jenny”

2023: System 002B & System 03 - The Future's Here Now, in the present day, The Ocean Cleanup's testing System 002B. It's got a built-in plastic squisher (okay, a compactor). And there's a buzz about System 003, which is like the Hulk of cleanup systems - three times bigger than the 800m 002 prototype. The dream? Clean up the entire Great Pacific Garbage Patch with just 10 of these bad boys Baby steps to long strides, and now we are moving with some pace!

Nipping It in the Bud: The River Shenanigans

The Ocean Cleanup’s “Interceptor Barricade” in the Rio Las Vacas, Guatemala

The Ocean Cleanup had a lightbulb moment: scooping plastic out of the oceans is fab, but what about the stuff that hasn't made it there yet? Enter the rivers, the highways of plastic waste from our lands to the oceans. So, The Ocean Cleanup whipped up the "Interceptor," a solar-powered, autonomous gizmo that grabs plastic waste before it can take a dip in the ocean. Plopped in key spots in rivers around the globe, the Interceptor doesn’t just stop new plastic from joining the ocean party; it also gathers crucial info on plastic pollution.

Picking up the Pace - A Recent Overview of Notable Achievements

Future Prospects 

So, what does the future hold for The Ocean Cleanup? Well, they plan to achieve their goal of cleaning up 90% of floating ocean plastic pollution by 2040. No big deal, right? They also aim to work themselves out of business. Once they have completed their project, their work is done. Talk about job satisfaction!

Additionally, they are working on expanding their river projects and utilizing waste source information to work with communities to mitigate plastic pollution before it even reaches the rivers. The organization is also focusing on creating value from the collected plastic, turning trash into treasure. The future is looking bright, and with continued support and innovation, The Ocean Cleanup is well on its way to solving a significant problem we as a planet face.

Conclusion 

In a world where plastic pollution is a major issue, The Ocean Cleanup is doing its part to make a difference. With their innovative technologies, dedicated team, and support from notable individuals (Elon Musk, $1m donation, we see you), they are well on their way to achieving their goals. So, let's support them in any way we can, whether it's by making a donation, spreading the word, or reducing our own plastic consumption. If you are interested in donating or becoming a partner to the project please get in touch with them here. Even if you just want to share their mission on your social media account, every bit helps!

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