Manila Tackles Ocean Plastic with New River Cleanup Tech

Manila is about to get a serious upgrade in its fight against ocean plastic, and the timing couldn't be better.

The Ocean Cleanup, a global nonprofit known for innovative cleanup technology, has selected Manila as one of 30 cities worldwide for its new river interception program. The city joins Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Panama City in rolling out solutions that catch plastic waste before it flows into the ocean.

The Philippines faces one of the world's steepest plastic pollution challenges. According to the World Bank, the country sends an estimated 0.75 million metric tons of mismanaged plastic into the ocean every year, ranking among the top global contributors.

A recent study of Manila Bay's waterways found that over 90 percent of collected waste consists of hard and film plastics. That's a staggering amount of bottles, bags, and packaging flowing through rivers every single day.

Starting in 2026, The Ocean Cleanup will deploy its portfolio of Interceptor solutions across waterways feeding into Manila Bay. These range from heavy-duty trash traps to autonomous, solar-powered systems that work around the clock to capture plastic directly from rivers.

The technology gets smarter with every deployment. Using artificial intelligence, river mapping, and GPS trackers, the organization pinpoints exactly where to place each Interceptor for maximum impact.

The Ocean Cleanup estimates that just 1,000 rivers worldwide are responsible for nearly 80 percent of ocean plastic pollution. By targeting urban waterways in key cities, the program aims to eliminate up to one third of global river plastic by 2030.

The organization isn't working alone. It's building partnerships with Philippine government agencies, private companies, and local organizations to ensure collected waste gets properly disposed of or recycled.

The Ripple Effect

When Manila's rivers run cleaner, the benefits extend far beyond the city limits. Cleaner waterways mean healthier coastal ecosystems throughout Manila Bay, protecting marine life and fishing communities that depend on these waters.

The program also represents a shift from small, isolated cleanup efforts to comprehensive, city-wide solutions powered by data and technology. Other Philippine cities could follow Manila's lead, multiplying the impact across the archipelago.

"In the Philippines, the program represents our long-term commitment to protecting coastal ecosystems and safeguarding Manila Bay for future generations," said Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup.

Manila Bay's transformation starts this year, one intercepted plastic bottle at a time.