Image: Brian Yurasits via Unsplash
The Ocean Cleanup, a global non-profit aiming to eliminate ocean plastic, announced the launch of its 30 Cities programme at the UN Ocean Conference on 12 June 2025. By deploying its Interceptor systems in 30 major cities across Asia and the Americas, the organisation aims to stop up to one-third of river plastic from reaching the world’s oceans by 2030.
Building on five years of experience across 20 polluted rivers, the organisation is shifting from single-river projects to citywide solutions – an approach proven effective in Kingston, Jamaica – allowing for faster, more efficient scaling through unified local partnerships.
Using scientific modelling and field data, The Ocean Cleanup has identified 30 key coastal cities. Initial deployments are set for Mumbai and Panama City, with further planning underway in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, , Los Angeles, Manila and Montego Bay. Additional cities will follow as partnerships and funding are secured.
Each project begins with a detailed analysis using drones, AI, and GPS-tracked plastics to map waste flow and guide the placement of Interceptors. The programme also removes legacy debris from coasts, mangroves, and reefs, restoring ecosystems, supporting tourism, and improving resilience to storms. Community engagement and waste management improvements are key components.
While launching its 30 Cities programme, The Ocean Cleanup is also finalising its first 20 river projects. A major milestone expected this year is tackling pollution in the Gulf of Honduras by intercepting plastic before it reaches the Caribbean Sea.
The 30 Cities programme is a major step towards achieving The Ocean Cleanup’s broader goal of removing 90% of floating ocean plastic. Alongside river and coastal cleanup, offshore efforts continue through advanced mapping of plastic accumulation zones to improve future extractions.
