LA Expands River Plastic Catchers Before 2028 Olympics

Three rivers in Los Angeles will soon have a coordinated defense system against ocean plastic, thanks to an expansion that could stop up to 570 tons of trash annually from reaching the Pacific.

The Ocean Cleanup, partnered with Kia Corporation since 2022, announced plans to install new Interceptor devices in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River. The expansion builds on the success of Interceptor 007 in Ballona Creek, which has already caught 386,945 pounds of trash since 2024.

The timing matters. Los Angeles County officials, along with leaders from Long Beach and Seal Beach, are racing to complete the project before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games.

Research shows these three LA rivers are part of a much bigger problem. Just 1,000 rivers worldwide produce nearly 80% of all plastic flowing into oceans. The Ocean Cleanup used drones, AI cameras, and GPS trackers to map exactly where plastic accumulates in LA's waterways.

The technology works like a smart filter. Interceptors sit in rivers and catch floating trash before it reaches the ocean, operating automatically without blocking boats or wildlife.

The Ripple Effect

This expansion connects to something bigger. Los Angeles joined The Ocean Cleanup's 30 Cities Program, a global initiative targeting the world's most polluting rivers in 30 cities by 2030. If successful, the program could reduce global river plastic pollution by one third.

The project shows what happens when companies, nonprofits, and local governments work together on environmental problems. Kia's partnership funds the technology development. The Ocean Cleanup provides the engineering expertise. Cities handle permits and installation.

"When I saw how much trash was piling up on the beaches in my district after a heavy rainstorm, I knew I needed to bring a trash collection device to this river," said California State Assembly member Diane Dixon, who helped champion the effort.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn highlighted another benefit. Rivers cross city boundaries, meaning one community's trash often becomes another's beach cleanup problem. The coordinated system solves that unfairness.

The expansion also received backing from independent studies in Long Beach and Seal Beach, which confirmed the technology could work in their specific river conditions.

Southern California beaches will be cleaner for Olympic visitors in 2028, but the real winners are the coastal ecosystems and communities that depend on healthy oceans year-round.