A Visionary from a Young Age
Boyan Slat, at just 16, during a diving trip in Greece, was shocked by the amount of plastic in the ocean. Instead of ignoring the problem, he decided to find a solution. Bojan was born in 1994 in the Netherlands, he showed an early interest in engineering and sustainability.
The Birth of The Ocean Cleanup
In 2013, at the age of 18, Slat founded The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization dedicated to removing plastic from the oceans. His innovative idea was a passive cleanup system, using ocean currents to collect plastic efficiently. His TEDx talk went viral, leading to global recognition and millions in crowdfunding.
Innovative Cleanup Technology
Slat’s system consists of floating barriers that capture plastic waste while allowing marine life to pass safely. After years of research and testing, The Ocean Cleanup successfully deployed its first system in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 2019. In addition to ocean cleanup, the organization launched The Interceptor, an autonomous river-cleaning system designed to stop plastic before it reaches the sea. Since most ocean plastic comes from rivers, this innovation tackles pollution at its source.
A Global Impact
Boyan Slat’s work has been recognized worldwide. His team continues to improve and scale up their technology, aiming to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040. Governments, scientists, and major companies support his mission, making him one of the most influential environmental entrepreneurs of his generation.
Turning a Dream into Reality
From a teenage idea to a global environmental movement, Boyan Slat proves that innovation and determination can drive real change. His efforts inspire a new generation to take action for a cleaner, healthier planet.
Boyan Slat quote
‘Our ultimate goal is to clean up 90% of the world’s floating ocean plastic by 2040.’
‘Ons uiteindelijke doel is om tegen 2040 90% van het drijvende oceaanplastic ter wereld te hebben opgeruimd.’
