In the article, “Boy Genius Boyan Slat’s Giant Ocean Cleanup Machine Is Real”, Schiller (2017) reported that from 1997 to 2003, the oceanographer Charles Moore observed the amount of plastic trash found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch has increased. Over time, the accumulation of plastic trash created a walkable platform. The Ocean Cleanup machine was first introduced through a TED Talk by Boyan Slat when he was 17. In 2018, the major cleanup project began in the Patch. The project received many criticisms for wasteful resources and setting unattainable level.
However, Slat anticipates that through technological advancement, the project will cost less and be more efficient. Floating big booms would gather the trash with the help of the Pacific’s currents which will be collected by a boat at least once a month. The system will be deployed in 2018 after the testing of the prototype. It was announced that $30 million effort was raised for this foundation. The massive device would be made up of 50 pieces connected to extend up to 60 miles. Slat’s design a low risk and scalable system. Slat expects to collect tons of debris monthly.
Through expeditions, Patch’s trash was mapped extensively. Slat has done many mathematic models to better understand the project. The long-term goal was to fully utilize the rubbish collected and reformed into new items.
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Nicole Vale 