Boyan Slat is a visionary entrepreneur and inventor dedicated to addressing the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution. His professional journey began with a pivotal moment during a diving expedition in 2011, where he observed the alarming prevalence of plastic waste outnumbering marine life. This experience ignited his passion for environmental conservation and led him to develop a groundbreaking passive plastic catchment system, which he first presented at a TEDx talk in 2012.
In 2013, Slat founded The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization aimed at developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. Under his leadership as CEO, the organization successfully raised $2.2 million through a crowdfunding campaign, garnering support from over 38,000 donors across 160 countries. The Ocean Cleanup published a comprehensive feasibility study in 2014, which, despite facing skepticism, laid the groundwork for innovative cleanup systems.
The organization has made significant strides with its cleanup systems, notably System 001/B, which successfully captured plastic in 2019, and System 002, which collected 9,000 kilograms of trash in 2021. Additionally, Slat introduced The Interceptor, a solar-powered system designed to combat plastic pollution at its source by targeting the world’s most polluted rivers. This initiative has seen deployments in several countries, including Indonesia and Vietnam, showcasing Slat’s commitment to scalable solutions.
Slat’s contributions have not gone unnoticed; he has received numerous accolades, including the Champions of the Earth award from the United Nations and recognition in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. His innovative approach and relentless dedication to environmental sustainability position him as a leading figure in the fight against ocean pollution, inspiring future generations to take action.