A scuba diving excursion in Greece during 2011 prompted Boyan Slat to pivot his focus toward ocean plastic pollution. Upon finding more debris than fish in the water, he initiated a high school project to analyze the feasibility of cleanup systems. This early inquiry led to the development of a passive plastic catchment method utilizing ocean currents.
Foundation of The Ocean Cleanup
Slat enrolled at Delft University of Technology as an aerospace engineering student but chose to discontinue his studies to advance his concepts. In 2013, he established the non-profit organization The Ocean Cleanup, acting as its chief executive officer. The group initially secured $2.2 million through a crowdfunding initiative supported by 38,000 donors across 159 countries. In 2014, the team released a 528-page study detailing their technical projections, which drew both internal development and external scrutiny regarding its engineering validity.
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The organization's early maritime deployments, Systems 001 and 001/B, encountered significant hurdles. The initial prototype suffered structural failure, losing an 18-meter segment during testing. However, the redesign in 2019 successfully retained plastic waste. Subsequent iterations improved efficiency; System 002 removed over 62,000 pounds of debris, and by the conclusion of the System 03 mission in 2024, the total amount of plastic removed from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch exceeded one million pounds.
Riverine Interventions
To address the source of marine plastic, Slat introduced the Interceptor, a solar-powered barge designed to operate in river systems. Research conducted by his organization identified 1,000 specific rivers as responsible for approximately 80% of ocean plastic influx. As of mid-2026, these systems have been deployed across diverse international locations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Thailand, Guatemala, the United States, Jamaica, Panama, Honduras, India, and the Philippines.
Institutional Recognition
Slat has received numerous accolades for his work. He was named a United Nations Champion of the Earth in 2014 and received the Index Award in 2015. Recognition continued in 2017 with the European of the Year and Dutchman of the Year titles. Further support arrived in 2026 when The Ocean Cleanup was designated a grantee by The Audacious Project, receiving $121 million to support the 30 Cities Program.
Fast facts
- Born: 1994, Delft, Netherlands
- Founder: The Ocean Cleanup (2013)
- Education: Delft University of Technology
- Key Award: Champions of the Earth (2014)
- Primary Focus: Ocean and river plastic mitigation
- 2026 Funding: $121 million via The Audacious Project
Questions readers ask
What is the core function of the Interceptor?
The Interceptor is a solar-powered, barge-like system designed to catch plastic waste in rivers before it reaches the ocean.
How is The Ocean Cleanup funded?
The organization relies on donations from private individuals, entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and Europe, and grants from programs like The Audacious Project.
Achievements
- Educated at Delft University of Technology
- Worked as entrepreneur, environmentalist and inventor
