The Ocean Cleanup

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

[The Ocean Cleanup] provides scalable technologies to rid the oceans of plastic, including river interception systems and ocean cleanup systems, with a target to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.

Target Customer

City governments and city programs (e.g., the 30 cities program), international organizations, foundations/nonprofits, corporations and donors supporting environmental cleanup.

Key Differentiator

Dual, scalable approach combining river plastic interception to reduce inflow with direct ocean cleanup of existing floating plastics, backed by a decade of research and global deployment.

Implementation Timeline

30 cities program to cut ocean plastic pollution from rivers by one third by 2030; target to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.

Pain Points

1Extremely large amounts of plastic pollution in the oceans and its impact on marine wildlife and the food chain.
2Continuous inflow of plastic from rivers into the oceans.
3Need for a scalable, proven solution with global reach and measurable impact.

Key Features

1Interceptor river cleanup systems deployed to stop plastic before it reaches oceans.
2Ocean cleanup systems deployed globally to remove floating ocean plastic.
3Research, monitoring, and knowledge sharing (publications, updates, and dashboards).
4Partnerships with governments, foundations, and corporations; citizen science and donation/fundraising programs.

Target Customer Industries

Decision Makers

1Chair, Macquarie Group Foundation
2CEO, Salesforce
3UNDP Executive Director
4Governor, State of California
5Co-founder, Solar Impulse

Client Results

1Tens of millions of kilograms of plastic removed to date.
215,000,000 kg of trash intercepted by Interceptor systems (as referenced in updates).
3Interception and cleanup programs targeting 1,000 rivers to reduce 80% of riverine pollution entering the oceans.
4Aiming to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.

Competitive Advantages

1Dual strategy addressing both river inflow and ocean cleanup for a comprehensive solution.
2Proven deployments and a track record of large-scale plastic recovery.
3Global presence and ongoing partnerships with governments, NGOs, and corporate sponsors.
4Data-driven approach with publications, dashboards, and knowledge sharing.

Key Benefits

1Reduces plastic pollution in oceans and rivers

2Prevents new plastic from reaching oceans by intercepting river inflows

3Global deployment and data-driven insights for continuous improvement

Case Studies & Success Stories

Kingston, Jamaica – Interceptor city

Case #1

First Interceptor city deployment demonstrating river trash interception in a city context as part of a broader cleanup effort.

Panama – City-wide plastics prevention program

Case #2

Update indicating Panama is implementing a city-wide approach to plastic pollution prevention.

Additional Product Information

Product Description

The Ocean Cleanup develops and scales technologies to rid the oceans of plastic, including river interception systems (Interceptor) and ocean cleanup systems.

Target Market

City governments and public-sector programs, international organizations, foundations/nonprofits, corporate partners and donors supporting environmental cleanup efforts.

Unique Value Proposition

A dual, scalable approach combining river interception to prevent inflow with large-scale ocean cleanup, backed by long-term research and a growing deployment network toward ambitious 2040 targets.

Technical Requirements

Deployment of Interceptor river cleanup systems and ocean cleanup systems; ongoing partnerships with governments, NGOs, foundations, and industry; adherence to donation/funding governance and regulatory requirements

Pricing Model

Donations and fundraising; donations routed to two registered foundations (Stichting The Ocean Cleanup in the Netherlands and American Friends of The Ocean Cleanup in the USA); specific pricing not disclosed

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