The Ocean Cleanup
 | |
| Formation | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Delft, Netherlands |
| Type | Stichting |
| Headquarters | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Coordinates | 51°55′25″N 4°28′43″E / 51.92361°N 4.47861°E |
| Services |
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| Boyan Slat | |
| Budget | €54.705 million (2022) |
| Staff | 150 |
| Website | www |
purpose. It should be removed.The Ocean Cleanup is a Dutch nonprofit organization based in the Netherlands that develops technologies intended to reduce plastic pollution in oceans and rivers. Founded in 2013 by Boyan Slat the group focuses on two main approaches large offshore collection systems designed for accumulation zones such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and land‑based “Interceptor” devices deployed in rivers to capture waste before it reaches the sea. The organization’s work has received extensive media attention and has been the subject of both support and criticism.
The Ocean Cleanup has conducted many prototype trials since 2018, iterating on its offshore system and expanding its rive program to several countries. The organization publishes operational data and environmental assessments, while external studies continue to evaluate ecological impact and long-term performance of large-scale cleanup systems.
As of 2026, the project remains one of the most visible attempts to engineer technological solutions to global plastic pollution, operating through a combination of philanthropic funding, corporate partnerships, and public donations.
As of 2026, the organization has removed over 60 million kilograms (60,000 metric tons) of trash from rivers and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.