The driver behind our mission to rid the world’s oceans of plastic is to make the ocean a healthier place for all life that benefits from it, so our number one priority is safety for the environment and our crew. While the overall risks of our operations were found to be negligible, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by CSA Ocean Sciences determined that some interactions are likely with some species of fish, turtles, and certain plankton and neustonic organisms with limited mobility, so we must minimize this impact as much as possible.

The EIA notes that the long-term impact on marine species of the removal of large amounts of plastic and marine debris should be beneficial, and it is unlikely that any potentially impacted species will decrease in number. As data is still limited, there is uncertainty about the residual impact our operations may have on these communities; therefore, we aim to help fill these knowledge gaps by continuing to collect data during our operations and sharing this with the scientific community.

Our systems are designed to be safe for the marine environment; speed (slower than a casual stroll), materials, and shape have all been chosen to minimize negative side effects. We have also incorporated mitigation measures into our systems to deter marine animals from interacting with the system or provide easy exit routes in case they do – and we continue to develop new mitigation measures as we operate. Alongside increasing our underwater cameras, System 03 introduced a new Marine Animal Safety Hatch, which can activate to encourage any animal in the Retention Zone to exit, further limiting any chances for an animal to become trapped. While extracting plastic, dedicated Environmental Observers and crew are present and monitoring the area. If necessary, we can -and do- halt cleanup operations based on the event severity level.
As we continue to develop our technology and learn more about the natural behaviors of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and its wildlife, we will adapt as needed to ensure our net impact on this environment remains as positive as possible.

Read this Update: “How we Ensure an Environmentally Sound Cleanup” for more information about mitigation measures.

Fish are often attracted to floating structures found offshore, such as flotsam, and oil and gas platforms. This also applies to the plastic that is currently in the ocean, including large ghost nets. By collecting this plastic, fish may gather around our system temporarily. However, because the retention zone is emptied every two weeks, and the entire system may be removed from the water every four weeks, these FAD effects are removed, and the fish disperse.

Learn more about how the system is designed for limited environmental impact in this YouTube video.

Limiting our impact on the environment is at the core of each decision we make. As with any large-scale activity at sea, currently, consuming fuel is inevitable. With System 03, this is primarily related to the vessels operating the system. Since the start of our activities in the GPGP in 2018, we have been offsetting all carbon emissions related to our operations following a third-party assessment of our total carbon footprint. We will continue to do so with S03, while continuously working on minimizing emissions. Our offshore partner, Maersk, will continue to develop the most fuel-efficient vessel routing and logistics for our scale-up and hope to further incorporate sustainable fuels, with the aim to integrate renewable fueled assets into our operations. We are also working on a full cost-benefit assessment to determine our net impact on the environment.

Yes, we have conducted environmental impact assessments for our previous ocean systems, as well as the current one operating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – System 03. You can see the EIA for this system here.

Before we scale up to a fleet of systems, we will reference our original assessment and conduct additional EIAs based on any design changes and the scope of the operations. We will only move forward with deployment once we have confirmation from new EIAs that our activities will not adversely affect the environment.

Read more about out prevention and mitigation measures in this blogpost.

The Environmental Impact Assessment conducted by CSA (independent third-party) for our technology estimates that impacts of System 03 on Neuston likely range from negligible to low. However, we acknowledge that it is difficult to determine what positive or negative impact will occur between our technology and floating organisms (neuston) as little is known about the interaction of these organisms with this offshore environment, plastic, and our technology. There is still much to learn, hence the need for continued research. Fortunately, our operations provide a unique platform to conduct regular and systematic research on this under-studied topic, helping us to understand our potential impact on the marine environment and providing greater insights into these organisms. We are currently investigating the seasonal dynamics of neuston and how they relate to plastic accumulation in the GPGP and beyond.

To read more about our findings, preventions, and mitigations in the System 002 campaign, you can visit this update. See also our update on research on neuston in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Before our operations commence, The Ocean Cleanup takes several steps into consideration of local communities, wildlife, and habitats.

Prior to each Interceptor deployment, we work with local and global partners including expert consultants to scan for environmental and social impacts unique to the specific conditions of each river and to comply with local environmental laws and regulations. We commissioned third-party environmental and social impact scanning (ESIS) with Royal Haskoning, Arcadis, and Witteveen+Bos for the existing and upcoming deployment locations.

These reports are shared with the necessary regulatory stakeholders for each project when applicable, but as they involve multiple third parties, which differ for each Interceptor, it is not appropriate for us to publicly share the assessments at this time. For each Interceptor project, we will conduct additional ESIS assessments prior to deployment. Since the approach and depth of the assessments can vary, we are learning how to best conduct, standardize, and share environmental and social impact scanning. Part of this process includes the development of management plans with monitoring and mitigation protocols, including recording occurrences of animal interaction and collected debris composition. This information is used to continuously improve our technology and methodology to reduce impacts.

Considering that we are still developing this process, our intention is to provide more information here in the future, including a summary of the results of existing impact assessments.

Prior to each Interceptor deployment, we work with local and global partners including expert consultants to scan for environmental and social impacts unique to the specific conditions of each river and to comply with local environmental laws and regulations. We commissioned third-party environmental and social impact scanning (ESIS) with Royal Haskoning, Arcadis, and Witteveen+Bos for the deployment areas in question. With an ESIS we estimate the possible impact on the environment. To date, the assessments have shown the impact to tend towards negligible. In tandem, we are developing monitoring processes to better understand this possible impact – with some pilot efforts currently active. While we are still very much in a learning phase, for each deployment, we will conduct additional ESISs and develop monitoring efforts for verification

Mangroves are among the most valuable coastal ecosystems, providing critical benefits for marine life, human communities, and the environment. They serve as breeding and nursery grounds for many fish species, stabilize shorelines by preventing erosion, and act as natural water filters that trap sediments and pollutants before they reach coral reefs and seagrass beds. Mangroves also play a key role in mitigating plastic pollution. Their dense root systems act as natural barriers, trapping plastic waste that would otherwise drift into open waters. While this helps reduce the spread of plastic, excessive accumulation can harm mangroves by smothering their roots and hindering seedling growth, making conservation efforts crucial. Beyond their ecological role, mangroves are also vital in protecting coastal communities from climate change. Their root structures dissipate wave energy, reducing the impact of storm surges and coastal flooding.

Additionally, mangroves are one of the most effective carbon sinks on the planet, capturing and storing significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Importantly, the fruits and other extracts of mangrove species contribute to food security for local communities, as part of the ecosystem provision component of ecosystem services. By safeguarding mangroves, we enhance climate resilience, protect livelihoods, and preserve biodiversity for future generations.

Our projects protect coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs from plastic pollution. To quantify the benefits of our conservation efforts, we assess the ecosystem health and biodiversity improvements by establishing the baseline conditions and monitoring the improvements after deploying our technologies such as those in Kingston Harbour and Jakarta Bay. In Kingston Harbour, legacy debris cleanups have removed accumulated plastic waste, enabling us to evaluate how reduced pollution supports ecosystem recovery.

Mangroves play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and climate resilience. These coastal forests store up to four times more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests, trapping carbon in their soils for centuries. This makes them one of the most effective natural solutions for mitigating climate change.

Additionally, mangroves act as natural barriers against extreme weather, absorbing storm surges, reducing coastal erosion, and protecting communities from flooding. Despite their importance, mangroves face significant threats, including deforestation for agriculture and coastal development, pollution, and rising sea levels. Plastic debris can accumulate densely in mangrove forests, covering the forest floor and entangling roots. This accumulation blocks water circulation, leading to stagnant conditions and changes in salinity that can stress mangrove trees and disrupt the ecological balance.

Moreover, plastics serve as carriers for pollutants and microorganisms, with their surfaces often harboring harmful bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes.

At the moment, The Ocean Cleanup is active in 9 different countries, with many more to come. As no country, city or river is the same, our work requires a good understanding of the context that we are operating in. Our local collaborators bring deep understanding of cultural and contextual nuances, ensuring our approach is respectful and effective. This boils down to three main questions: Who are we impacting? How are we impacting them? And just as importantly—how are these communities impacting our operations? Through community engagement, we strive for positive outcomes for nearby communities by actively involving them in our projects and operations. Ensuring that those who may be affected are both informed and included helps build local ownership, supporting the long-term sustainability and success of the project.

Plastic pollution affects societies in numerous and far-reaching ways. Fishermen in Jamaica and India shared with us that they can no longer fish close to shore as they once did—fish populations have declined drastically, forcing them to venture into deeper waters. This shift not only demands more time and effort, but also increases operational costs. In some cases, plastic debris damages fishing nets and boat propellers, adding further strain

Beyond impacts on fisheries, plastic waste can clog storm drains, heightening the risk of urban flooding. The accumulation of plastic in cities also creates stagnant water pools, ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and waterborne diseases. Additionally, plastic pollution on beaches affects local tourism, deterring visitors and harming the economic potential of coastal communities.

Every country we work in is unique, which is why it’s essential for us to collaborate closely with local partners who understand the cultural and contextual landscape. To ensure long-term impact and true sustainability, we actively involve the communities living in and around our project areas.

Here are a few examples of how local communities contribute to and shape our work:

• Dominican Republic – Rescate Ozama Program: We collaborate with various agencies, including the UNDP, to develop educational materials for schools, helping to raise environmental awareness among young people.
• Malaysia – Environmental Monitoring: In partnership with local universities like Universiti Teknologi MARA, we work alongside a fantastic team of researchers whose deep ecological knowledge supports our river projects and environmental assessments.
• Jamaica – The Great Mangrove Cleanup: We team up with local fishermen and communities to remove trash from mangrove areas, blending ecological restoration with community engagement.

These partnerships not only enrich our work but also empower local communities to lead and sustain environmental change.

Our cleanup efforts go beyond removing plastic from rivers and oceans—they also create positive social and economic impacts, particularly for vulnerable communities who are affected by plastic pollution and inadequate waste management. Keyways we support these communities:

• Reducing environmental hazards – By keeping rivers and drainage systems clear, we help mitigate risks of avoiding plastic-clogged waterways to flooding and damaging infrastructures, which often impacts lower-income communities the most.
• Creating economic opportunities – Through partnerships with local fishermen, community groups, and businesses, we create jobs and income opportunities in cleanup efforts, waste management, and recycling initiatives.
• Education & empowerment – We work with organizations to engage youth and local residents, raising awareness about waste management, driving long-term behavioral change and contributing to policy change.
• Collaboration with local stakeholders – By working closely with government agencies, NGOs, local researchers and community leaders, we advocate for better waste infrastructures and policies that improve living conditions for those most affected by pollution.

We are always open to collaboration, and we would love to hear from you. You can send an email to our team at esa@theoceancleanup.com

Thanks for being part of the solution to ocean plastic pollution!

Here are some tips on how to get involved and help clean up ocean plastic:

• Make a donation to The Ocean Cleanup or donate as a gift to someone who loves the ocean.
• Rally your community and start any type of fundraiser via our dedicated fundraising platform.
• Wear our merchandise to show your support for cleaner oceans.
• Help teach the next generation the importance of clean oceans and the impact of plastic pollution with this educational board game for kids ages 4+.
• Apply for a job at The Ocean Cleanup and see the largest cleanup in history up close.
• Donate your Flying Blue miles to help enable our team to be where they need to be to further our mission.
• Become a Citizen Scientist. Help us understand plastic pollution around the world by using The Ocean Cleanup Survey app to record the plastic you see in your local rivers and streams.
• Tag @theoceancleanup on social media when you share your efforts to tackle plastic pollution. We love seeing what you do!

And of course: share The Ocean Cleanup’s mission wherever you can – word of mouth, social media, in your office, and wherever people believe in a future of clean oceans.

Furthermore, we also recommend keeping the following in mind:

• Dispose of trash properly; and reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible
• Wash your synthetic clothing as little as possible and use microfiber absorbers when you do.
• Lobby to your (local) government to help get more attention for this problem, if you see a lot of pollution in your area.
• Organize beach, riverbank, or land cleanups with your friends, family, and neighbors (you can tie the cleanup together with a fundraiser for The Ocean Cleanup). Cleaning up is much more fun when done together!

Thank you for your drive to clean up the ocean – we really appreciate the support!

Thank you for taking the time to share your concern with us. It’s important to us to be able to hear and learn from critical feedback as well as positive. Would you please send an email our team at environment@theoceancleanup.com so we can start a dialogue with you?