On a remote atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, albatross chicks are dying, their bodies filled with plastic. "Albatross" unflinchingly shows the horror of this tragedy, while ultimately bringing us to a deeply felt experience of beauty and love for life on Earth. Film by Chris Jordan. 

Thank you for your engagement.

We are actively working on exciting new developments and look forward to sharing them with you.

Please continue to follow our updates for more information. 🚀

Ocean cleanup is achievable, and we are steadily progressing towards eliminating plastic pollution.

While not currently in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), our focus is on improving plastic hotspot prediction to enhance cleanup efficiency. This summer, we will return to the GPGP to test our advanced ocean models and drones.

In 2026, we are scaling up river operations by launching our 30 Cities Program. This initiative aims to prevent up to one-third of river plastic from reaching the ocean.

To address the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, we are deploying more Interceptors and advancing AI, drone tests, and computational modeling. These efforts will efficiently locate and map plastic hotspots, optimizing our ocean cleanup operations. Stay tuned for further updates.

This year, we are expanding our river operations. Concurrently, we are developing drone and AI technologies to identify plastic hotspots in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Our research continues into discarded fishing gear to find effective solutions. Once our Interceptors are operational, we will clean up legacy pollution from coastlines, restoring these environments and preventing plastic from re-entering the ocean.

The Audacious Project has awarded The Ocean Cleanup a $121 million donation. This significant funding will accelerate the organization's scale-up efforts, enabling it to tackle up to a third of all plastic flowing from rivers into the ocean.

This initiative aims to deliver a crucial success story for global environmental efforts. Watch the full video detailing this project here.

The Audacious Project, a collaborative funding initiative by TED, has awarded The Ocean Cleanup $121 million. This significant donation will kickstart the scale-up of our Interceptor technology through the 30 Cities Program. Our goal is to stop one-third of global plastic emissions from rivers into the ocean by the end of the decade, targeting highly polluting urban centers across Asia and the Americas.

This crucial funding provides a strong foundation for the program, enabling the planned deployment of Interceptor solutions this year in cities such as Barranquilla, Colombia; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Mumbai, India; Jakarta, Indonesia; and the Manila Bay Region, Philippines, among others.

Stay updated by subscribing to our [YouTube channel](https://bit.ly/371k8sN). Learn more and support our mission at [The Ocean Cleanup](https://www.theoceancleanup.com/). Follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheOceanCleanup), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/theoceancleanup/), [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@theoceancleanup), and [X](https://x.com/TheOceanCleanup).

The Cisadane River in Jakarta is vital for many residents, supporting daily life, livelihoods, and industries like catfish farming, which relies on riverbed silkworms. However, severe plastic pollution has devastated silkworm populations, forcing farmers to undertake costly, 90-minute boat trips. The polluted water also causes skin rashes for those using the river.

The deployment of Interceptor 020 has brought significant improvements. The river now boasts cleaner water, leading to the return of silkworms and shorter, more economical trips for farmers. This intervention has fostered healthier communities and restored a crucial ecosystem.

Effective solutions stem from a thorough understanding of the problem. Before deploying Interceptors, we conduct our Smart River Survey. This process gathers and compiles data from multiple sources to deeply understand a river's plastic pollution.

This comprehensive data enables us to tailor our technology to best fit each river's unique conditions. Learn more about our Smart River Survey in our latest video: https://youtu.be/NdauXcL3JMo?si=J7sdeTlsoxneGqry.

Our Interceptor technology aims to prevent an estimated 5 million kilograms of plastic waste annually from entering the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

We will begin by tackling the waterways of Trombay and Malad in Mumbai. Stay tuned for further updates on our progress.

Thank you for your interest in helping us achieve clean oceans. We've launched a new volunteer database to connect passionate individuals with hands-on opportunities in countries where support is most needed.

By signing up, you enable our local partners to reach out for on-ground assistance with vital activities. These include coastal and mangrove cleanups, awareness campaigns, citizen science projects, and other crucial initiatives.

Learn more and register to volunteer here: https://bit.ly/4qOwQEs

The new year has begun with important work. Interceptor 022 in Rio Abajo, Panama, recently received a significant upgrade.

It now features two new barriers, designed to boost its efficiency and prevent even more trash from reaching the ocean.

Our ocean cleanup system undergoes continuous testing and efficiency improvements. This year, our primary objective is to scale up river technology.

By deploying Interceptors in 30 key cities, we aim to reduce plastic flow from rivers to the ocean by up to one-third by 2030.

Artist and documentarian Chris Jordan premiered his film ALBATROSS in Charleston, SC, alongside his "Midway" exhibition at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. Jordan aims to connect with and inspire audiences through his work.

The documentary explores Midway Atoll, an isolated Pacific island situated within the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It offers an intimate look at native Laysan albatrosses, whose existence is gravely threatened by global plastic waste.

Addressing plastic pollution necessitates distinguishing between two fundamental challenges. The first is the inherent problem of plastic production itself, encompassing its scale and the materials utilized.

The second, separate challenge involves the effective management of plastic waste once it has been created and discarded. Recognizing these distinct issues is crucial for developing targeted and comprehensive solutions.

Ocean plastic pollution is a major global concern, with an estimated four million tons entering annually and projected to rise. This widespread issue poses significant threats to marine ecosystems.

Scientists recently discovered a massive load of microplastics, around 12,000 pieces per liter, frozen in Arctic ice. These tiny particles are easily ingested by sea animals, raising fears about harm to marine life and humans.

Tackling this urgent global challenge requires immediate and effective solutions.

A luxury boutique now offers fish infused with fashionable microplastic fibers from the hottest brands.

This stark reality is highlighted by Just One Ocean.

Rowan Byrne, a Marine Biologist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, will discuss ocean plastics, explaining their impact on marine life and civilization. His extensive career includes shark research, sea turtle conservation, and pioneering satellite tracking of leatherback turtles from Dominica to Ireland.

As Marine Plastics Lead for Mott MacDonald, Rowan drives global research and solutions for marine plastic challenges. He champions collaboration with industry and governments to integrate environmental considerations. His work earned him the IEMA Sustainability Leader of the Year Award in 2020 and media recognition for installing Seabins at Howth Harbour.

This talk was given at a TEDx event. Learn more at ted.com/tedx.

This document explores a key issue, featuring a one-on-one interview with Audrey Choi, Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer at Morgan Stanley.

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