Smart ocean filters: The technology that just might rid our oceans of plastic

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• December 6, 2021

Insight summary

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), a massive floating trash heap three times the size of France, is being tackled by smart filter systems designed to capture and recycle the waste. These filters, continuously improved and adapted to water movements, not only address the existing oceanic garbage problem but also intercept waste in rivers before it reaches the sea. This technology, if widely adopted, could lead to healthier marine life, economic growth in waste management sectors, and significant environmental improvements.

Smart ocean filters context

The GPGP, a colossal accumulation of waste, floats in the ocean between Hawaii and California. This debris, the largest of its kind in the world, was studied by The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch nonprofit organization. Their research revealed that the patch is three times larger than France, underscoring the magnitude of the problem. The composition of the patch is primarily discarded nets and, most alarmingly, plastic, with an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces.

Boyan Slat, the founder of The Ocean Cleanup, devised a smart filter system that uses a net-like, U-shaped barrier to encircle the garbage patch. This system employs active steering and computer modeling to adapt to the movement of the water. The collected garbage is then stored in a container, transported back to shore, and recycled, reducing the size of the patch and mitigating its harmful effects on marine life.

Slat and his team are committed to continuous improvement of this technology, refining their designs based on feedback and observations. The most recent model was launched in August 2021, demonstrating their ongoing efforts to combat this environmental challenge. In addition, Slat has developed a scalable version of his invention, known as the Interceptor. This device can be installed in the most polluted rivers, acting as a filter to capture garbage before it has the chance to reach the ocean.

Disruptive impact

The Ocean Cleanup, along with similar organizations, has set a goal to remove 90 percent of the garbage in the GPGP by 2040. Additionally, they plan to deploy 1,000 Interceptors in rivers worldwide. These goals are a significant undertaking that, if successful, could drastically reduce the amount of waste entering our oceans. The engineers involved in these projects are also working to improve the efficiency of the cleanup vessels by transforming them into driverless, fully automated systems. This advancement could increase the rate of garbage collection.

The reduction of plastic waste in the ocean could lead to healthier seafood, as the fish would be less likely to ingest harmful microplastics. This trend could have a positive impact on public health, particularly for communities that rely heavily on seafood as a primary source of protein. For companies, particularly those in the fishing industry, healthier fish stocks could lead to increased productivity and profitability. Furthermore, businesses that rely on clean water, such as tourism and recreation companies, could also see benefits from cleaner oceans and rivers.

The successful implementation of these cleanup efforts could lead to significant environmental improvements. Governments around the world could see a reduction in the costs associated with pollution cleanup and health issues related to contaminated seafood. By supporting initiatives like these, governments can demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship, potentially attracting investment and fostering a sense of civic pride among their respective citizens.

Implications of smart ocean filters

Wider implications of smart ocean filters may include:

• Increased application of autonomous technology on the open oceans.


• Environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) investments, with sustainability becoming more and more important for investors on initiatives like ocean cleanups.


• Ethical consumerism, as customers become more ESG-savvy in their buying habits and avoid products that contribute to ocean pollution.


• A shift in societal attitudes towards waste management, fostering a culture of responsibility and respect for the environment.


• Growth in sectors related to waste management and recycling, creating new business opportunities and jobs.


• Stricter regulations on waste disposal and plastic production.


• More people choosing to live in areas with clean, healthy marine environments.


• Further innovation in other sectors, potentially leading to breakthroughs in renewable energy or water treatment.


• Jobs related to the maintenance and operation of these filters becoming more prevalent, requiring a workforce skilled in technology and environmental science.

Questions to consider

• How effective do you think this technology will be at cleaning up ocean waste pollution over the coming decades?


• What other ideas exist to achieve these ocean clean up goals?