Kia Corporation and The Ocean Cleanup have reached a significant milestone in their mission to combat plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.
The joint effort between Kia and the global non-profit organisation The Ocean Cleanup has achieved a major breakthrough in their battle against plastic waste. The celebration took place as The Ocean Cleanup’s System 03 vessel returned to San Francisco, the same port from which its predecessor, System 001, embarked on its inaugural voyage six years ago.
Since their partnership began in 2022, Kia’s support has been instrumental in aiding The Ocean Cleanup’s efforts. The collaboration has successfully removed over one million pounds of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), the largest accumulation of floating waste in the world’s oceans.
In a promising development, The Ocean Cleanup has outlined an ambitious plan to tackle the GPGP. The organisation has announced a potential timeline of ten years to clean the patch, thanks to technological advancements. However, The Ocean Cleanup aims to cut this timeframe in half, targeting a five-year goal to rid the GPGP of plastic.
Charles Ryu, Senior Vice President and Head of the Global Brand & CX Division at Kia Corporation, expressed his enthusiasm: “Congratulations to The Ocean Cleanup team for their relentless dedication to addressing plastic pollution in the GPGP. Kia is honoured to support their ocean cleanup efforts and looks forward to furthering our partnership to expedite the cleanup process. We are excited about the future and the improvements that will shorten the timeline for this vital mission.”
Boyan Slat, Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, highlighted the importance of partnerships in their work: “Our partnership with Kia is setting a new benchmark for organisational collaboration in driving significant environmental change. Together, we are demonstrating that innovation and dedication can make a real difference in eliminating ocean plastic. The products resulting from this collaboration will stand as a testament to our shared progress and the effectiveness of sustainable solutions.”
The Ocean Cleanup’s System 03 has made a substantial impact, but the organisation’s vision extends beyond the current success. With Kia’s backing and ongoing technological improvements, The Ocean Cleanup aims to accelerate their efforts and significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste in the GPGP.
This milestone underscores the effectiveness of strategic partnerships in tackling global environmental challenges. As The Ocean Cleanup continues its mission with enhanced technology and support from Kia, the goal of a cleaner, plastic-free ocean appears increasingly achievable.