Environment

Kia Corporation and its global mission partner The Ocean Cleanup have announced plans to expand plastic interception operations across Greater Los Angeles ahead of the LA28 Olympic Games.

The initiative aims to prevent hundreds of tonnes of plastic waste from entering the Pacific Ocean annually by deploying advanced river-cleaning systems across key waterways in Southern California.

The project has received support from Los Angeles County officials, the City of Long Beach, and the City of Seal Beach.

Tackling Plastic Pollution In Los Angeles Rivers

Research conducted by The Ocean Cleanup found that rivers in Los Angeles release between 380 and 570 tonnes of plastic into the Pacific Ocean every year.

Globally, the organisation estimates that just 1,000 rivers are responsible for nearly 80 per cent of ocean plastic pollution.

To develop tailored solutions for the region, The Ocean Cleanup carried out a “Smart Rivers Survey” using:

• Drone technology
• AI-powered remote sensing cameras
• GPS drifters
• Pollution mapping systems

The collected data was used to identify pollution patterns and optimise deployment strategies for the river interception systems.

Expansion Of Interceptor Technology

The new deployments will complement Interceptor 007, a river-cleaning system already operating in Ballona Creek.

Interceptor 007 entered its permanent operating phase in 2024 after receiving unanimous approval from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

According to project data, the system has already prevented more than 386,945 pounds of trash from reaching the Pacific Ocean and nearby beaches.

The new installations planned for the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River are supported by independent feasibility studies assessing:

• River hydraulics
• Waste volumes
• Technology suitability
• Environmental permitting requirements

Together, the three interceptor systems are expected to create a coordinated ocean protection network across Los Angeles’ major waterways.

Kia’s Sustainability Partnership

Kia has partnered globally with The Ocean Cleanup since 2022, supporting scalable solutions designed to reduce marine plastic pollution and promote circular economy initiatives for recovered ocean plastic waste.

Eric Watson said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to combining mobility innovation with environmental responsibility.

He noted that the initiative focuses on practical and scalable action aimed at stopping ocean plastic pollution at its source.

The project also receives support from Primo Brands.

Part Of Global 30 Cities Program

The Los Angeles expansion forms part of The Ocean Cleanup’s global “30 Cities Program,” which aims to stop up to one-third of plastic waste flowing from rivers into oceans worldwide by the end of the decade.

Boyan Slat said the project represents a major step toward establishing a city-wide urban ocean protection system ahead of the LA28 Olympic Games.

He added that collaboration between local governments and environmental organisations is helping create measurable progress toward cleaner oceans and healthier coastal ecosystems.

Local Leaders Back Initiative

Several California officials praised the expansion project and highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing plastic pollution.

Diane Dixon said the project demonstrates how partnerships between communities, government agencies, and environmental organisations can help preserve coastlines and ecosystems.

Janice Hahn described plastic pollution as one of the world’s major environmental challenges and called for continued collaboration between cities and counties to protect beaches and waterways.

Rex Richardson said the initiative would strengthen environmental resilience while creating cleaner coastal spaces for future generations.

Meanwhile, Joe Kalmick described the expansion as a significant milestone in long-term efforts to preserve the San Gabriel River and regional coastline ecosystems.

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