All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
A garbage collection system will be installed in the ocean
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
In recent years, a huge amount of garbage has accumulated in the world's oceans, creating artificial garbage continents from plastic remains.
Plastic poses a threat to all living things; experts estimate that 90% of seabirds die from consuming plastic waste, which they mistakenly take for food.
When plastic decomposes, it forms a kind of suspension that not only birds but also ocean inhabitants mistake for microorganisms and eat them. As a result, fish contaminated with waste, including mercury and lead, eventually enter the body of a person who eats such fish.
Experts have long been trying to change the situation and are developing various methods that will help clean the waters of the world's oceans from garbage.
The most promising project is that of Boyan Slat, a 20-year-old Dutchman who dreams of ridding the ocean of trash. His cleaning system could be up and running next year, and it will be the longest cleaning structure ever placed in the ocean. A few years ago, the Dutchman proposed placing platforms in the ocean that would collect trash floating on the surface of the water. Slat has won several awards for his invention, including the 2015 Construction of the Year competition. Slat has since founded the Ocean Cleanup Foundation to make his dreams come true.
The Slata system received the relevant documents confirming the feasibility of the project (feasibility study), and the pilot stage of the project managed to raise more than two million dollars.
Slat's idea is to create a system of booms and a processing platform. The structure would be anchored and would be able to cover the entire perimeter of an ocean garbage dump and act as a huge funnel, sucking in the garbage floating on the surface.
The booms will be positioned at a 450 angle and will direct the waste to the platform for filtration (cleaning from plankton) and storage for subsequent disposal. Using booms instead of nets will allow covering a larger surface and catching the smallest particles of waste. The low speed of movement in combination with booms will eliminate the possibility of missing even the smallest piece of plastic.
It was originally assumed that the installation would provide itself with energy using solar radiation and water flow.
Also, the special movements of the platform resemble the movements of a stingray, thanks to which, even in adverse weather conditions, the service personnel will be confident in the operability of the system and maintaining contact with the water surface.
According to preliminary data, the system will be installed near the shores of Tsushima Island in the Korea Strait.
According to calculations, 1m3 of pollution is washed out of Tsushima every year per inhabitant of the island. It is this fact that has forced the Japanese government to look for new ways to solve the problem.
The Slata system will cover 2,000m of ocean surface and will be the longest structure in the ocean. The facility is planned to be expanded over five years, resulting in a 100km-long floating treatment system right in the middle of the garbage dump between California and Hawaii.