The Ocean Cleanup Enters India; To Tackle Mumbai’s 5 Million kg Plastic Flow into the Arabian Sea & Indian Ocean

• Mumbai has been identified among 30 cities worldwide to cut one-third of global river-based plastic emissions
• Trombay and Malad waterways identified as initial priority sites; deployment is planned for 2026

Mumbai, 10th February, 2026: The Ocean Cleanup, the global non-profit organisation dedicated to ridding the world’s oceans of plastic pollution, has officially entered India through its 30 Cities Program, marking a significant milestone in its mission to eliminate plastic waste at scale. As part of this initiative, the organisation will deploy innovative technologies in Mumbai, one of the world’s most plastic-polluting urban catchments.

Mumbai has been identified as one of 30 critical urban centres worldwide that together account for nearly one-third of global river-based plastic emissions into the ocean. The Ocean Cleanup carried out their ‘Smart Rivers Survey’ to build a comprehensive overview of river pollution within the city to enable a tailor-made solution using a range of technologies including drones, AI-enhanced remote-sensing cameras, GPS drifters, and global data registries.

The survey found that the metropolitan region releases an estimated 5 million kilograms of plastic waste into the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean every year, causing direct and severe impacts across 220 km of coastline, 152 km² of mangroves, 107 protected species, and nearly 1.9 million livelihoods dependent on coastal and marine ecosystems. As part of the cleanup effort, The Ocean Cleanup will deploy barriers to stop the flow of plastic, marking a major milestone in India’s role in the global fight against plastic pollution.

The first deployments will focus on the Trombay and Malad waterways, identified through the data-driven analysis as significant contributors to ocean-bound plastic waste. The technology is scheduled for deployment over 2026. Once operational, these initial systems are expected to recover 61 to 92 tonnes of plastic per year. Research found that 80% of marine litter along India’s coastlines is made up of plastic.

India has emerged as a strategic priority for the organisation due to the disproportionate impact a small number of rivers have on ocean plastic pollution. Research by The Ocean Cleanup reveals that just 1,000 of the world’s three million rivers are responsible for nearly 80% of plastic emissions into the ocean. Through the 30 Cities Program, The Ocean Cleanup aims to cut one-third of global river-based plastic emissions, using its comprehensive strategy and proven technologies to target 30 of the most polluting urban waterways worldwide. Mumbai is identified as a critical intervention point due to the scale of plastic leakage and its impact on local communities and ecosystems.

Commenting on the launch, Boyan Slat, Founder & CEO, The Ocean Cleanup, said, “India is a critical geography in the global fight against plastic pollution. With such a large proportion of plastic on India’s coasts, stopping waste before it reaches the ocean is crucial in safeguarding the ocean against plastic pollution. Through our 30 Cities Program, Mumbai has been identified as a priority intervention point, and by working closely with local government bodies, implementation partners, NGOs, and community partners, we aim to deploy solutions that are not only effective but also deeply aligned with local needs and long-term development goals.”

The deployments will be undertaken in close collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, ensuring alignment with municipal priorities, waste-management systems, and long-term sustainability goals.

The Mumbai deployments mark more than a city-level intervention; it signals India’s growing leadership in the global fight against plastic pollution. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and home to some of the most plastic-impacted waterways, India’s participation is critical to achieving meaningful, global environmental outcomes. By combining advanced, data-led technology with on-ground partnerships and community engagement, The Ocean Cleanup’s entry into India demonstrates how targeted action in high-impact geographies can deliver scalable, measurable results.

The Mumbai deployments are expected to serve as a blueprint for future interventions across Indian cities, reinforcing the country’s role as a key driver of global solutions to one of the planet’s most urgent environmental challenges.

About The Ocean Cleanup

The Ocean Cleanup is a nonprofit organization that develops and scales technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. By conducting extensive research, engineering scalable solutions, and partnering with governments, industry, and like-minded organizations, The Ocean Cleanup is working to stop plastic inflow via rivers and remove legacy plastic already polluting the oceans. As of December 2025, the non-profit has collected over 46 million kilograms (101.4 million pounds) of trash from aquatic ecosystems around the world. Founded in 2013 by Boyan Slat, The Ocean Cleanup now employs a multi-disciplined team of approximately 200 people. The organization is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with international operations in 10 countries.

For more information, visit theoceancleanup.com