The Ocean Cleanup Can Rid the Pacific Garbage Patch in a Decade of Plastic Pollution —For the Same Cost as America’s Halloween Spending

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) has become a global symbol of the plastic pollution crisis—an environmental tragedy growing in our oceans, choking marine life, and threatening ecosystems. It has also become proof that there is hope through action, that it is in our own hands. It comes from an innovative solution developed by The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization committed to tackling ocean plastic at scale. Through groundbreaking technology and valuable research, The Ocean Cleanup has shown that cleaning up the GPGP is possible and financially achievable.

And now, they are calling on all of us to take action. What is the cost of cleaning this massive collection of debris? Just $7.5 billion. In global economic terms, that’s an affordable price tag for a cleaner, healthier ocean. All that’s left is the willpower to make it happen.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: A Growing, but Solvable, Crisis

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an enormous collection of marine debris located between Hawaii and California, spanning 1.6 million square kilometers. According to The Ocean Cleanup, it is estimated to contain over 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, weighing 80,000 metric tons—the equivalent of 500 jumbo jets floating in the ocean.

The GPGP isn’t just an eyesore; it directly threatens marine life. Animals like fish, sea turtles, and birds can ingest or become entangled in the plastic, often leading to injury or death. Beyond that, as the plastic degrades into microplastics, it enters the food chain, potentially harming humans.

With these staggering figures, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scope of the problem. Yet The Ocean Cleanup has made it clear: this mess can be cleaned up. And fast.

The Ocean Cleanup’s Ambitious Plan

Led by Dutch innovator Boyan Slat, The Ocean Cleanup has developed pioneering technology to catch and remove plastic debris from the ocean. Since launching their first successful system in 2018, they’ve demonstrated that their floating systems effectively collect debris from the GPGP. These systems use natural ocean currents to passively gather plastics into designated areas that can be collected and removed. With continued effort, The Ocean Cleanup aims to remove 90% of the plastic by 2040. This bold vision draws from data, science, and technology.

Proven Feasibility: An Achievable Cost

While cleaning up the ocean seems daunting, The Ocean Cleanup’s recent announcement puts the cost in a manageable perspective: $7.5 billion. Here’s why this number, while significant, is incredibly achievable:

• It represents less than 0.01% of the global annual GDP.
• Governments spend 25 times more yearly on fossil fuel subsidies than it would take to clean the GPGP.
• 1% of the annual net profits of the world’s plastic producers is $7.2bn USD.
• Americans spend more than $10bn per year on Halloween decorations.
• For context, some of the world’s largest corporations earn that amount in just a few weeks.

This means that, on a global scale, this cleanup is entirely within reach. As Boyan Slat pointed out, it’s not that we can’t afford it; we simply need to prioritize it. The technology exists, the plan has proven effective, and the cost remains reasonable. The next step is securing the will to fund it.

The Ocean Cleanup’s mission and plan align greatly with Rutger Bregman’s criteria for morally ambitious plans: extensive, underexposed, and solvable. With Moral Ambition and shining examples like The Ocean Cleanup, Bregman aims to inspire a movement of hands-on idealists that will set up their own versions of impact focused initiatives.

The Ocean Cleanup: Leading in Research and Innovation

While The Ocean Cleanup is best known for its cleanup systems, the organization also makes critical contributions to ocean research. Their scientists have conducted in-depth studies to map out the GPGP, identifying the sources and types of plastics that end up there. This research has helped improve our understanding of how plastics move through ocean systems, how they break down, and where they accumulate.

• Data-Driven Insights: The Ocean Cleanup has compiled the most detailed dataset on oceanic plastic pollution to date, which not only supports their cleanup efforts but also informs global policies on preventing plastics from entering the ocean. For example, they have found that the majority of pollution (75-85%) comes from the fishing industry, which leaves its mark both in what it takes and in that which it leaves behind.
• Scientific Contributions: By studying the composition and distribution of plastic in the GPGP, The Ocean Cleanup is helping the global scientific community develop better models for tracking and mitigating ocean plastic pollution. This research underscores The Ocean Cleanup’s role as a cleanup organization and a leader in environmental science. This latest announcement marks the first time someone has put a cost and timeline on a plan to solve the GPGP.

More Than the GPGP: Stopping Plastic at Its Source

Cleaning up the GPGP is just one part of The Ocean Cleanup’s broader mission. They also recognize the importance of stopping plastic pollution at its source: rivers. The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptor Solution technology targets some of the world’s most polluted rivers, which are responsible for carrying the vast majority of plastic into the oceans.

For example, Interceptor Originals are solar-powered devices deployed in key locations that can collect up to 50,000 kilograms of plastic daily before it ever reaches the ocean. By addressing the problem upstream, The Ocean Cleanup ensures that we’re not only cleaning up the current mess but also preventing future pollution.

It’s Doable, We Just Need the Will

Our oceans’ challenges are immense, but thanks to The Ocean Cleanup, we now have a path forward. The technology works, and the cost—$7.5 billion—is manageable globally. It’s not whether we can clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but whether we choose to. There is a practical, achievable, and transparent plan now; no more excuses.

The future of our oceans depends on us making this choice. With the research, data, and solutions provided by The Ocean Cleanup, we can achieve a cleaner, healthier ocean for generations to come. All it takes is the collective will to act. Now is the time to support this mission. Spread the word, encourage action, and help realize this vision.

Photo credits: The Ocean Cleanup