The Ocean Cleanup Secures $121 Million for 30 Cities Program to Combat River Plastic Pollution
The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit organization, has received a $121 million commitment from The Audacious Project to fund its 30 Cities Program. This initiative aims to tackle plastic pollution in 30 major polluting cities across Asia and the Americas. The funding represents a portion of the $350 million estimated to be needed for this stage of the program. The 30 Cities Program, announced at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025, builds on five years of work across 20 of the world's most polluting rivers. It employs aerial drones, AI-assisted image analysis, and GPS-tagged test plastics to map waterways, followed by the deployment of Interceptor systems to collect floating rubbish. The program also plans to remove accumulated waste from coastlines, mangroves, and coral reefs. Cities like Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Barranquilla, and Santo Domingo are expected to receive Interceptor systems.
