This Massive Ocean Cleaning System From A 21-Year-Old Inventor Will Launch Next Year

It’s no secret that the Earth’s oceans are completely trashed by plastic bags, synthetic debris, and other human detritus. Go to any beach and you’ll see tons of trash being washed up.

According to a study published in 2014, there are as many as 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, weighing in at 269,000 tons. As many as a million ocean animals die each year as a result.

This is where Boyan Slat’s invention comes into play. It’s basically a gigantic net that allows marine life to pass through safely, but captures floating debris left in the water by humans.

“Taking care of the world’s ocean garbage problem is one of the largest environmental challenges mankind faces today. Not only will this first cleanup array contribute to cleaner waters and coasts but it simultaneously is an essential step towards our goal of cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” Slat said.

Check out how it’ll work:

It’s no secret that the Earth’s oceans are completely trashed by plastic bags, synthetic debris, and other human detritus. Go to any beach and you’ll see tons of trash being washed up.

According to a study published in 2014, there are as many as 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, weighing in at 269,000 tons. As many as a million ocean animals die each year as a result.

This is where Boyan Slat’s invention comes into play. It’s basically a gigantic net that allows marine life to pass through safely, but captures floating debris left in the water by humans.

“Taking care of the world’s ocean garbage problem is one of the largest environmental challenges mankind faces today. Not only will this first cleanup array contribute to cleaner waters and coasts but it simultaneously is an essential step towards our goal of cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” Slat said.