The tide is finally turning on ocean pollution – literally. Solar-powered 'Interceptor' boats are being deployed in rivers worldwide to capture plastic waste before it reaches the sea, tackling a major source of marine pollution head-on.
In Los Angeles, one such vessel operates at the mouth of Ballona Creek, where it meets Santa Monica Bay. The Interceptor system comprises two barges: a smaller platform nestled within a larger boat. Floating barriers guide debris into the device, where a conveyor belt scoops up the waste. An automated shuttle then distributes the collected rubbish into six large dumpsters on a separate barge, alerting crews when they are full.
James Patterson, operations manager with Ocean Cleanup, highlights the variety of waste collected, even during LA's dry season. 'It's astonishing,' he notes, 'to see what ends up in our rivers – polystyrene takeaway containers, noodle cups, bottle caps, and microplastics.' Once collected, the waste is responsibly sorted and sent to refuse facilities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to waste management.
The Interceptor systems are designed to target the primary conduits of ocean plastic pollution: 1,000 rivers worldwide responsible for nearly 80% of plastic emissions into the sea. Boyan Slat's innovative solution pivoted from tackling the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to river-based solutions, recognising that stopping pollution at its source is key. 'Before you can clean out the Great Pacific Garbage Patch,' Patterson explains, 'you really need to turn off the source.'
Since beginning its pilot project in 2022, the Interceptor in Ballona Creek has made a significant impact, preventing 143,710lbs of rubbish from entering the ocean in 2025. With two more boats planned for deployment in Los Angeles and 21 systems operating across 10 countries, Ocean Cleanup's ambitious goal is to clean up the 30 most-polluted cities by 2030.