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AI-powered tech supercharges ocean cleanup, boosting plastic collection by 60%

As plastic pollution in the world's oceans reaches critical levels, recently published research reveals how artificial intelligence-driven algorithms can dramatically accelerate plastic waste removal, boosting efficiency by more than 60%.

The study, in the journal Operations Research and titled "Optimizing the Path Towards Plastic-Free Oceans," introduces a data-driven routing algorithm that optimizes the path of plastic-collecting ships, allowing The Ocean Cleanup, a leading environmental nonprofit, to extract more waste in less time.

"With analytics, we can dramatically improve plastic removal efforts in the ocean," says Dick den Hertog of the University of Amsterdam. "By optimizing routes in real time, we ensure every sweep collects as much plastic as possible, making cleanup operations significantly more effective."

How AI is transforming ocean cleanup

Until now, ocean cleanup efforts have relied on relatively simple routing strategies. This study, conducted between 2022 and 2024, revolutionizes the process with a sophisticated AI-powered optimization model.

• The challenge: Identifying the most efficient paths for plastic-collecting ships in an ever-changing ocean environment.
• The breakthrough: A nonlinear path optimization algorithm that finds the best collection routes within seconds, even at massive scale.
• The impact: A 60% increase in plastic collection—removing significantly more waste without increasing costs.

Why this matters now

This research comes at a crucial time as ocean plastic pollution reaches more than 170 trillion plastic particles, according to recent estimates. As global attention focuses on climate change, ocean plastic pollution remains an urgent but often overlooked crisis.

"Our work demonstrates that AI and operations research aren't just for finance or tech—they can actively solve environmental challenges," says Jean Pauphilet of London Business School. "With smarter analytics, we can make ocean cleanup efforts far more effective and get closer to a plastic-free future."

Real-world deployment underway

Unlike many research projects that remain theoretical, this AI-powered solution is already in use:

• The Ocean Cleanup has integrated the algorithm into its operational software, actively improving plastic removal in the Pacific Ocean.
• It supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 14 (Life Below Water) by increasing cleanup efficiency.
• It could be adapted for other large-scale environmental cleanup efforts, from river pollution to disaster recovery.

A new model for global environmental action

The findings show that advanced analytics and AI can amplify the impact of existing environmental initiatives without major new infrastructure investments.

"Our research proves that AI-driven optimization can be a game-changer for environmental efforts," says Bruno Sainte-Rose, The Ocean Cleanup. "This is a tangible step toward solving one of the planet's most pressing ecological crises."