Kia and Ocean Cleanup Block 175 Tons of LA River Plastic

Every year, hundreds of tons of plastic waste flow through LA's rivers straight into the Pacific Ocean. But thanks to a powerful partnership between automaker Kia and Dutch nonprofit The Ocean Cleanup, that devastating tide is finally being reversed.

Since 2022, the two organizations have worked together to install "Interceptor" facilities that catch plastic waste before it reaches the sea. Their first device, Interceptor 007, has already prevented 175 tons of trash from polluting LA's coastal waters through its operations in Ballona Creek.

Now the project is expanding in a big way. At a media event held May 13 at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, The Ocean Cleanup announced plans to install new Interceptors in the LA River and San Gabriel River. These additions could block up to 570 tons of plastic annually from entering the ocean.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson joined Kia America Vice President Eric Watson and Ocean Cleanup founder Boyan Slat at the announcement. The expansion comes at a perfect time as LA prepares to host the 2028 Olympics, giving the city a chance to showcase its commitment to sustainability on the world stage.

The partnership goes beyond just collecting waste. Kia and The Ocean Cleanup collaborate through the entire recycling process, from sorting the collected plastic to developing new products. This ensures the waste they capture never makes its way back into waterways.

The Ripple Effect

LA isn't working alone on this challenge. The Ocean Cleanup's "30 Cities Program" is tackling plastic pollution in 30 major coastal cities worldwide that contribute the most waste to our oceans. By focusing on rivers, the main pathway for marine plastic pollution, the initiative addresses the problem at its source rather than trying to clean up after the damage is done.

The collaborative approach brings together corporations, nonprofits, and city governments in a model that could transform how communities worldwide protect their waterways. What works in LA could be replicated in hundreds of other cities facing similar challenges.

"It is highly meaningful to expand tangible actions for a sustainable future," Watson said at the event. Slat added that through city level collaboration, they can create faster and more effective environmental change.

With concrete results already achieved and ambitious plans ahead, this partnership proves that protecting our oceans is possible when everyone works together.