The Ocean Cleanup and Kia Support Guatemala with Initiative to Stop Plastic Pollution From Reaching the Worlds Oceans

• The Ocean Cleanup and Kia collaborate with the Guatemalan Government  and partners to prevent one of the world’s largest plastic pollution flows reaching the ocean
• Targeting 20,000 tons of waste carried annually by Motagua River and Las Vacas River
• Latest step in Kia’s longstanding strategic partnership with The Ocean Cleanup aligns with the brand’s sustainability values and commitment to increasing the use of recycled plastics in its vehicles

Kia and its global partner, The Ocean Cleanup, in collaboration with Guatemala’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and other partners, are stopping one of the world’s largest plastic pollution flows, carried by the Motagua River and its tributary, the Las Vacas River, from reaching the oceans.

Each year, an estimated 20,000 tons of trash flows through the Las Vacas Motagua rivers into the Caribbean Sea, polluting marine ecosystems and affecting coastal communities in Guatemala and neighboring countries like Honduras.

To overcome this challenge, The Ocean Cleanup, supported by Kia, has deployed two of its innovative floating trash capture systems: Interceptor 006 in the Las Vacas River and, more recently, Interceptor 021 in the lower Motagua basin. The systems are designed to capture and remove plastic before it reaches the ocean. Barriers concentrate waste from the river’s current and guide it to an extraction area, where it is removed and processed.

Collaborative local-level endeavor contributes to global impact

Kia’s partnership with The Ocean Cleanup was formed in 2022 and aligns with the brand’s broader sustainability goals. Kia’s support as a Global Mission Partner has helped The Ocean Cleanup remove nearly 500,000kg of plastic from the world’s largest accumulation of floating waste – the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) – which has an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers. As upgrades to the ocean collection systems and operations continue, the latest strategic joint project focuses on preventing plastic pollution from ever reaching the world’s oceans.

The installation of Interceptor 021 in El Quetzalito, near Puerto Barrios, serves as a last line of defense before the waste reaches the sea. At 158 meters long, it is the largest system installed by The Ocean Cleanup to date, strengthening the ambitious mission of restoring the Gulf of Honduras – one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the Caribbean – and improving the lives of those affected by the pollution.

In Las Vacas and El Quetzalito, 23,354 tons of waste have been extracted to date, preventing further pollution of the Gulf of Honduras.

In a truly collective effort, government institutions, local organizations, communities, and key private sector partners are joining forces with Kia and The Ocean Cleanup to show that local environmental action can contribute to a global impact by raising awareness of ocean plastic pollution, showcasing solutions to the problem and encouraging others to take action.

The informative, educational media assets created to raise global awareness of the impact of ocean plastic pollution and to galvanize action include a film showing the project in action.

Giving waste plastic a second life as consumer products

The captured waste is transported to sorting centers next to the Las Vacas and Motagua rivers, where it is separated for proper disposal or recycling. Some of the recovered plastic has been repurposed into consumer products, such as limited-edition vinyl records created by the British band Coldplay. Meanwhile, Kia has pioneered the use of recycled materials, including captured waste plastics, across the automotive industry.

Kia has used recycled, discarded ocean plastic in a limited-edition trunk liner for its all-electric EV3 SUV_[1]. The brand has also been consistently integrating other recycled plastics and eco-friendly materials into its latest models. This includes the flagship all-electric SUV, the EV9, which utilizes recycled fishing nets in its interior carpet and recycled plastic bottles in its seat fabric.

As a strategic ally, Kia has provided The Ocean Cleanup with logistical, financial, and advocacy support, helping to amplify the reach and effectiveness of the cleanup operations as part of its commitment to responsible mobility and environmental stewardship. The brand’s involvement also underscores the pivotal role that the private sector can play in driving ecological transformation both locally and globally.