Ocean clean-up iniciatives

Every year, millions of tonnes of waste end up in the oceans. Most of it consists of single-use plastics – bottles, bags, packaging and straws – but invisible microplastics, industrial discharges, textile waste and abandoned fishing gear also make their way into the water. All of this has a severe impact on marine ecosystems, wildlife, fishing activities and even human health, as many of these pollutants eventually enter the food chain.

Marine pollution is not only an environmental problem; it is also an economic and social one. Polluted beaches affect tourism, abandoned nets damage fisheries and microplastics have already been detected in fish, salt and drinking water. The question is no longer whether we should act, but where and how we can do so effectively.

Each of these locations plays a different role in marine pollution, and action across all of them helps reduce environmental impacts, protect biodiversity and minimise risks to coastal communities by combining prevention with effective waste management.

Where to act first: from rivers to the open ocean

The oceans, one of Earth's greatest wonders, are under threat from marine litter. According to Greenpeace, they receive 200 kilograms of waste every second, including vast plastic “islands”. Yet creativity and innovation have inspired projects that clean the seas while protecting marine life.

• 4Ocean: bracelets made from ocean plastic: Founded by two American surfers in 2017, 4Ocean removes plastic from oceans and coastlines, employs local fishers and funds its operations through the sale of bracelets and bags made from recovered materials. For every item sold, half a kilogram of waste is removed, combining clean-up efforts with environmental education and community development.
• Ocean plastic for roads: In Kerala, India, fishers collect plastic while fishing and bring it back to port, where it is shredded and used in road construction. This initiative, Suchitwa Sagaram, has already recovered more than 25 tonnes of plastic and creates local employment, particularly for women in fishing communities.
• Seabin and The Ocean Cleanup: Seabin's floating bins capture plastic, oil and detergents in ports and marinas, removing up to 20 kilograms of waste per cycle. Meanwhile, The Ocean Cleanup deploys U-shaped barriers in the open ocean to collect plastic in areas such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, recovering hundreds of tonnes of waste and helping prevent harm to marine wildlife

These projects demonstrate that cleaning up the oceans is possible when ingenuity, technology and social action come together. From bracelets to floating barriers, every initiative contributes to reducing waste and protecting marine life.

Prevention and the circular economy: stopping plastic before it reaches the ocean

Although removing waste from the sea is important, the most effective strategy is to prevent it from getting there in the first place. Every action that intercepts plastic before it disperses helps protect ecosystems and reduces the need for clean-up operations in the open ocean. Prevention and the circular economy can turn a problem into an opportunity by recovering materials and reducing environmental impacts.

• Interception in rivers and estuaries: Systems such as screens, floating barriers and sensors capture waste before it reaches the ocean, stopping tonnes of litter at its source.
• Reducing single-use plastics: Bags, bottles, packaging and straws can be replaced with reusable or biodegradable alternatives through a combination of public policies, incentives and public awareness campaigns.
• Improved collection and recycling: Efficient waste management infrastructure prevents waste from being lost to rivers and seas, helping to close the materials loop.
• Extended producer responsibility (EPR): Manufacturers take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, encouraging sustainable packaging and take-back and recycling programmes.
• Circular design: Products and packaging designed to be repaired, reused or recycled reduce waste generation and maximise the value of materials.

Preventing plastic from reaching the sea not only protects biodiversity and ecosystems but also creates economic and social opportunities. Prevention and the circular economy are key tools for building a cleaner, more sustainable future.

 SEE INFOGRAPHIC: Main causes of marine pollution [PDF]

What each stakeholder can do to protect the oceans

Everyone can play a part in reducing marine pollution. Citizens can avoid single-use plastics, choose reusable alternatives, separate waste correctly and participate in clean-up activities on beaches, rivers and in natural areas. Choosing products from companies committed to sustainability also strengthens the circular economy and encourages responsible practices throughout the value chain.

Businesses have a key role to play by integrating sustainability into design, production and logistics. For example, Iberdrola works to reduce plastic use in its operations, promote recycling and take part in marine conservation and environmental education projects. Innovation, circular design and collaboration with local communities can transform waste management into economic and social opportunities.

Governments can promote public policies that regulate discharges, strengthen waste collection and recycling systems and support prevention initiatives. They can also encourage research and technological innovation to intercept waste in rivers, ports and coastal areas, while promoting awareness and environmental education campaigns. Collaboration between citizens, businesses and governments is essential to protect the oceans and secure a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Abandoned fishing gear: an invisible danger at sea

In addition to consumer plastics, the oceans face another specific challenge: abandoned fishing gear, also known as ghost gear. This includes nets, longlines and traps left in the sea that continue to catch fish, turtles, seabirds and marine mammals for years, while damaging coral reefs and other sensitive habitats.

These abandoned fishing tools pose a constant threat, causing wildlife mortality and contributing to the accumulation of plastic waste. Unlike other forms of plastic pollution, they continue to function as permanent traps while drifting or resting on the seabed.

Practical and collaborative solutions already exist, including tracking nets through sensors or QR codes, collection programmes in ports, recycling initiatives that turn old gear into new materials and partnerships with fishers through incentives and training to reduce abandonment. These measures can help protect marine wildlife and habitats while supporting cleaner, more sustainable oceans.