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 stop 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 autos

Kia and its international companion, The Ocean Cleanup, in collaboration with Guatemala’s Ministry of Setting 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.

Annually, 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 international locations like Honduras.

To beat this problem, The Ocean Cleanup, supported by Kia, has deployed two of its progressive 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. Limitations 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 influence

Kia’s partnership with The Ocean Cleanup was fashioned in 2022 and aligns with the model’s broader sustainability objectives. Kia’s help 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 most recent 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 up to now, strengthening the bold mission of restoring the Gulf of Honduras – probably the most biodiverse marine areas within the Caribbean – and enhancing the lives of these affected by the air pollution.

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

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

The informative, instructional media belongings created to boost international consciousness of the influence of ocean plastic air pollution and to provoke motion embody a movie displaying 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 few of the recovered plastic has been repurposed into shopper merchandise, similar to limited-edition vinyl information created by the British band Coldplay. In the meantime, Kia has pioneered the usage of recycled supplies, together with captured waste plastics, throughout the automotive trade.

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 cloth.

As a strategic ally, Kia has supplied The Ocean Cleanup with logistical, monetary, and advocacy help, 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 position that the non-public sector can play in driving ecological transformation each regionally and globally.