Research • Updates • The Ocean Cleanup

Panorama, aerial view Bangkok river curved with sunset background

A Tale of 3 Rivers: Intercontinental River Research Collaboration

The Ocean Cleanup has partnered with leading universities across three continents to study plastic pollution in three urban rivers over three years in the Dominican Republic, South Africa and Thailand.

Oceans, Research

The Other Source: Where Does Plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch Come From?

Our new study published today in Scientific Reports reveals that 75% to 86% of plastic debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) originates from fishing activities at sea. While…

Oceans, Research

North Atlantic Microplastic Concentrations May Exceed Safe Levels for Marine Life Without Intervention

Our latest research suggests levels of microplastic pollution in the ocean water column may soon exceed safe limits for marine organisms, especially in areas of high plastic concentration.

Oceans, Research

Using AI to Monitor Plastic Density in the Ocean

Instead of mapping plastic pollution with trawls and airplanes, we have developed a more intelligent and effective way to detect and monitor plastic debris.

General, Oceans, Research

Where Does My Plastic End Up in the Ocean?

We developed a tool that visualizes the trajectory of plastic pollution by the click of a button - the Plastic Tracker, a web application that lets you see how and…

Environment, Research, Science

Neuston in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the Impact of Cleanup

Today, in Frontiers in Marine Science, The Ocean Cleanup published findings on the observed correlations between floating plastic and neuston in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). The relative distribution…

General, Research, Rivers

In Search of the Rivers that Carry Plastic into the Ocean

Our study - published today in Science Advances – estimates that 1000 rivers account for nearly 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean, made up of a high…

Oceans, Research

Towards Spaceborne Detection of Ocean Plastic

In 2017, we announced our research partnership to investigate Remote Sensing of Marine Litter (RESMALI project) with the European Space Agency (ESA), ARGANS Ltd., and other spatial sector organizations. Remote…

Oceans, Research

Forecasting Ocean Plastic Around the Globe: A Deep Dive into Modeling the Garbage Patches

Before reading this article, you could think that discussing the creation of a global ocean plastic forecast, without even looking at any results, is already pretty shocking. Global models are…

Research, Team

Become a Citizen Scientist and Help Tackle Plastic Pollution

Starting today, you can join forces with us and help us gain greater insights into the plastic pollution problem in our oceans and rivers by using The Ocean Cleanup plastic…