Ocean plastic: The Ocean Cleanup sets new record for plastic reclaimed

The Ocean Cleanup sets a new record for the amount of plastic reclaimed from the world’s oceans. 55 tons of ocean plastic is collected and delivered to Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada.

The record catch was removed from the Pacific Ocean using The Ocean Cleanup’s System 002 extraction technology, following a lengthy voyage through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP).

The GPGP is the world’s largest accumulation of floating waste and has an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers, which is equivalent to three times the size of France.

Kia has already successfully implemented more than 30 sustainable solutions in various product areas. In the case of the EV9, its 7-seat all-electric SUV flagship model uses upcycled waste, including fishing nets retrieved from the ocean, for the vehicle’s floor carpets.

The components used in the construction of the EV9 made from recycled plastic and bio-based, eco-friendly materials weigh approximately 34kg.

After achieving new record haul to shore, The Ocean Cleanup introduced its new System 03 technology. Almost three times larger than System 002, System 03 can capture much larger quantities of plastic at a lower cost per kilogram.

It also features more sophisticated environmental monitoring and safety technology, such as a new Marine Animal Safety Hatch designed to protect marine life. This scale-up marks the next phase towards The Ocean Cleanup’s objective of removing 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.