Working toward cleaner oceans everywhere

This year marks a decade since The Ocean Cleanup was founded by then 18-year-old inventor Boyan Slat of the Netherlands. Since 2013, the nonprofit foundation has endeavored to rid the world’s oceans of plastic – to the tune of millions of tons currently afloat across the globe.

Toxic pollutants affect everyone, not just the 700 marine species who call the sea home: plastic affects myriad industries from travel and tourism to fisheries and aquaculture. When it enters the food chain, it has adverse effects on human health – making it one of the single most detrimental environmental issues of our time.

– Hannah Van Sickle, The Arizona 100