NEW YORK – The non-profit organization The Ocean Cleanup, globally recognized for its mission to rid the world’s oceans and rivers of plastic pollution, has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The alliance aims to significantly accelerate the fight against marine plastic waste—particularly in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)—by leveraging advanced artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and cloud technologies. The ambitious goal: to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.
For global tourism destinations—especially across Asia, where idyllic beaches and diving paradises are increasingly affected by plastic waste—this development offers a ray of hope. Clean oceans are essential for sustainable, high-quality tourism, the protection of marine ecosystems, and the continued trust of international travelers.
Innovation Aligns with Environmental and Tourism Strategy
Thanks to the AWS partnership, The Ocean Cleanup will be able to more efficiently detect plastic accumulation zones in hard-to-reach marine areas, predict their movement, and plan targeted clean-up operations. These efforts will be supported by technologies such as drones, connected sensor buoys, and satellite data. Simultaneously, new systems are being implemented to automatically identify and protect endangered marine life—a crucial factor for nature-based tourism and the image of many coastal regions.
“Clean coasts are not a luxury—they’re a lifeline for both nature and tourism,” said Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup. “With AWS, we can enhance our efficiency while safeguarding marine ecosystems. It’s a double win—especially for destinations around the world.”
Global Impact – With a Focus on Asia’s Shores
To date, The Ocean Cleanup has removed over 29 million kilograms of waste from aquatic ecosystems—from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia. Yet plastic debris remains a growing threat to both the ecological balance and tourism appeal of high-traffic destinations like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The new AI-driven infrastructure will not only assist in cleaning operations but also help analyze long-term plastic trends and support mitigation strategies—valuable tools for local governments and tourism boards alike.
“Technology today can do more than monitor visitor flows—it can lay the foundation for sustainable tourism development,” said Dr. Werner Vogels, CTO of Amazon.com. “Our partnership with The Ocean Cleanup demonstrates how innovation can preserve natural destinations for generations to come.”
A New Outlook for Sustainable Tourism
With this initiative, The Ocean Cleanup and AWS send a clear message: Environmental protection and tourism are not in conflict—they are interdependent. Only intact marine landscapes offer the experience quality modern travelers seek—whether for relaxation, adventure, or cultural immersion.
This collaboration is considered a model project for applying intelligent technologies in the fight against environmental degradation—and a source of inspiration for destinations worldwide seeking to shape a plastic-free future.
About The Ocean Cleanup
The Ocean Cleanup is a Dutch non-profit organization based in Rotterdam that develops and scales technologies to clean the world’s oceans and rivers. Since its founding in 2013 by Boyan Slat, a multidisciplinary team of around 200 people has been working to stop the inflow of new plastic via rivers and remove legacy waste from the oceans. As of June 2025, more than 29 million kilograms (63.9 million pounds) of trash have been collected globally. The Ocean Cleanup operates in 10 countries and collaborates with governments, industries, and like-minded organizations.
More information: www.theoceancleanup.com
Photo: The Ocean Cleanup