The Ocean Cleanup and Kia Help Guatemala with Initiative to Cease Plastic Air pollution From Reaching the World’s Oceans

• The Ocean Cleanup and Kia collaborate with the Guatemalan Authorities  and companions to forestall one of many world’s largest plastic air pollution flows reaching the ocean
• Focusing on 20,000 tons of waste carried yearly by Motagua River and Las Vacas River
• Newest step in Kia’s longstanding strategic partnership with The Ocean Cleanup aligns with the model’s sustainability values and dedication to growing the use of recycled plastics in its automobiles

Kia and its international accomplice, The Ocean Cleanup, in collaboration with Guatemala’s Ministry of Surroundings and Pure Sources (MARN) and different companions, are stopping one of many world’s largest plastic air pollution flows, carried by the Motagua River and its tributary, the Las Vacas River, from reaching the oceans.

Every year, an estimated 20,000 tons of trash flows by the Las Vacas Motagua rivers into the Caribbean Sea, polluting marine ecosystems and affecting coastal communities in Guatemala and neighboring nations like Honduras.

To beat this problem, The Ocean Cleanup, supported by Kia, has deployed two of its revolutionary floating trash seize methods: Interceptor 006 within the Las Vacas River and, extra not too long ago, Interceptor 021 within the decrease Motagua basin. The methods are designed to seize and take away plastic earlier than it reaches the ocean. Boundaries focus waste from the river’s present and information it to an extraction space, the place it’s eliminated and processed.

Collaborative local-level endeavor contributes to international impression

Kia’s partnership with The Ocean Cleanup was fashioned in 2022 and aligns with the model’s broader sustainability targets. Kia’s assist as a International Mission Companion has helped The Ocean Cleanup take away practically 500,000kg of plastic from the world’s largest accumulation of floating waste – the Nice Pacific Rubbish Patch (GPGP) – which has an estimated floor space of 1.6 million sq. kilometers. As upgrades to the ocean assortment methods and operations proceed, the newest strategic joint challenge focuses on stopping plastic air pollution from ever reaching the world’s oceans.

The set up of Interceptor 021 in El Quetzalito, close to Puerto Barrios, serves as a final line of protection earlier than the waste reaches the ocean. At 158 meters lengthy, it’s the largest system put in by The Ocean Cleanup so far, strengthening the bold mission of restoring the Gulf of Honduras – probably the most biodiverse marine areas within the Caribbean – and bettering the lives of these affected by the air pollution.

In Las Vacas and El Quetzalito, 23,354 tons of waste have been extracted so far, stopping additional air pollution of the Gulf of Honduras.

In a really collective effort, authorities establishments, native organizations, communities, and key personal sector companions are becoming a member of forces with Kia and The Ocean Cleanup to point out that native environmental motion can contribute to a world impression by elevating consciousness of ocean plastic air pollution, showcasing options to the issue and inspiring others to take motion.

The informative, academic media property created to lift international consciousness of the impression of ocean plastic air pollution and to provoke motion embody a movie exhibiting the challenge in motion.

Giving waste plastic a second life as shopper merchandise

The captured waste is transported to sorting facilities subsequent to the Las Vacas and Motagua rivers, the place it’s separated for correct disposal or recycling. A number of the recovered plastic has been repurposed into shopper merchandise, equivalent to limited-edition vinyl data created by the British band Coldplay. In the meantime, Kia has pioneered using recycled supplies, together with captured waste plastics, throughout the automotive business.

Kia has used recycled, discarded ocean plastic in a limited-edition trunk liner for its all-electric EV3 SUV_[1]. The model has additionally been persistently integrating different recycled plastics and eco-friendly supplies into its newest fashions. This consists of the flagship all-electric SUV, the EV9, which makes use of recycled fishing nets in its inside carpet and recycled plastic bottles in its seat material.

As a strategic ally, Kia has offered The Ocean Cleanup with logistical, monetary, and advocacy assist, serving to to amplify the attain and effectiveness of the cleanup operations as a part of its dedication to accountable mobility and environmental stewardship. The model’s involvement additionally underscores the pivotal function that the personal sector can play in driving ecological transformation each domestically and globally.