At just 16 years old, Boyan Slat took a dive into the Mediterranean Sea—and came back with a mission. Seeing more plastic than fish underwater was his first shocking encounter with one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time.
Today, over a decade later, Slat leads The Ocean Cleanup, an organization determined to rid the world’s oceans of plastic pollution. What began as a bold idea from a teenager has evolved into a global initiative powered by advanced technology, interdisciplinary teams, and strong international partnerships.
One of these key partners is the automotive manufacturer KIA, which supports The Ocean Cleanup as a Global Mission Partner. Through our connection with KIA, we became aware of this groundbreaking organization—and were eager to learn more. Slat’s strategy now targets not only the massive garbage patches in the open ocean, but also the sources of pollution in the world’s most polluting rivers. We spoke with him about the challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons of building a movement that combines innovation, persistence, and the power to inspire change.
Exclusive Interview with Boyan Slat, Founder & CEO The Ocean Cleanup
Andreas Conrad: What was the defining moment that inspired you to found The Ocean Cleanup?
Boyan Slat: The defining moment came in 2011, when I was 16 and went scuba diving in Greece. I noticed there was far more plastic than fish in the water. That experience led me to wonder, “Why can’t we just clean this up?” I soon realized that the scale of the plastic pollution problem required an innovative, systemic solution—which became the inspiration for The Ocean Cleanup.
Andreas Conrad: How has your vision evolved since the organization was founded in 2013?
Boyan Slat: The vision started as a bold idea to remove plastics from the oceans, focusing on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Over time, it has expanded to address the source of the problem by targeting river pollution—developing the Interceptor series—and collaborating globally. Our strategy now combines large-scale ocean cleanup with stopping plastic at its main entry points: the world’s most polluting rivers.
Andreas Conrad: What were the biggest technological challenges you faced, especially when deploying systems in the open ocean?
Boyan Slat: The open ocean is one of the world’s most hostile environments—unpredictable weather, powerful currents, and logistics all present major obstacles. Early systems faced durability issues and component failures. Designing scalable, autonomous systems that survive storms, extract plastic efficiently, and require minimal maintenance has demanded constant R&D, adaptive engineering, and relentless real-world testing.
Andreas Conrad: How do you ensure that your projects are environmentally sustainable and not part of the problem themselves?
Boyan Slat: Sustainability guides every decision. We rigorously test our systems to ensure minimal impact on marine life, focus on recycling as much recovered plastic as possible, and design Interceptors and ocean systems for energy efficiency. We conduct environmental impact assessments, consult with ecological experts, and adapt based on data, ensuring our mission helps rather than harms ecosystems.
Andreas Conrad: The Ocean Cleanup focuses on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — why is that the main focus, and what are the long-term plans for other regions?
Boyan Slat: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not only the largest accumulation of ocean plastic but also highly symbolic of the global plastic crisis. It provides a visible, measurable way to demonstrate the impact of our solutions. Long-term, we aim to clean it up and, through our river cleanup initiative, stop plastic at its source in high-polluting regions worldwide.
Andreas Conrad: How do governments, businesses, and the public respond to your work — and what kind of support do you need most?
Boyan Slat: Responses have been encouraging: many governments and cities now see cleanup as essential public infrastructure, while businesses, such as Kia, our Global Mission Partner, are increasingly stepping up as partners and sponsors. The public’s support has been pivotal. Our most pressing needs remain sustainable funding, regulatory support for deployments, technical partners, and broader systemic action to stem plastic pollution at its sources.
Andreas Conrad: What advice would you give to young people who want to get involved in environmental protection but don’t know where to start?
Boyan Slat: Start by finding issues that truly inspire you and learn as much as you can. Take practical steps—whether that means organizing cleanups, innovating solutions, or raising awareness. Persistence matters: you don’t need all the answers at the outset. The most impactful movements often begin with a single question and a strong sense of purpose. Believe that your actions, no matter how small, can create global change.
Thanks for your time Boyan 🙂
The Ocean Cleanup
Coolsingel 6
3011 AD Rotterdam – The Netherlands
