Founder of The Ocean Cleanup is ridding the world of ocean plastic

When Boyan Slat was 16-years-old he wondered about all of the trash in the ocean, ten years later he founded The Ocean Cleanup. NBC News' Gadi Schwartz speaks with Slat about his work and new ways to clean the ocean.
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#NBCNews #OceanCleanup #Plastic

[@beatricerigaud5114]

This young man is doing an amazing work cleaning our oceans. We must all do our part!!!

[@Flosseveryday]

I love that bible verse.

[@TheBushdoctor68]

No, we don't. The ones producing all this material have to do *their* part. Like, paying for the clean ups with the billions in profits they make by pumping all that stuff in the environment.

[@jaysaley7336]

and your brain is filled with some great propaganda. Good luck with that

[@ZaddyOG]

And not the government taxpayers that pay for Elons billion dollar businesses

[@emrahsuvic2007]

Unless you can ban india from from the water it will never be clean

[@jayhendee4018]

We need world leaders with this type of mindset

[@timothyross6338]

We need to clean up the trash in world leaders ocean 😂😂😂

[@TheBushdoctor68]

We already have world leaders with this type of mindset! They allow large companies to pump out plastics without ANY consequences and when our rivers and oceans get polluted, they let people like the guy in this video clean it up. We need world leaders who tackle this problem at the root, by holding the ones accountable who are producing all of this and getting filthy rich because of it.

[@JoshDutton-nz3rp]

This kid is a world leader he just doesn’t know it yet :)

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

0:47 “Giving up is never an option.” I wish more humans could grasp the immediacy of the issue.

[@Krranski]

I get that this is true in this case, but sometimes it is absolutely a good idea to give up. Giving up on previous goals is not always bad, particularly when circumstances and knowledge on the matter changes.

[@kushking949]

@@Krranski You are a karen

[@wirdhikdputra]

false, giving up on a goal is never an option. giving up and change the method are okay.

[@DeleteMyas]

We do, just blame the losers who have nothing better to do.

[@luminousmoon86]

What an amazing guy. Now this is something to do with your life. You might not get rich, but you made a true impact. Not many can say that.

[@hectorg.7282]

He is doing an awesome job, but you are wrong thinking there is not much money there. He will be filthy rich if he is not already, most people dismiss how much money is made in waste management because of the nature of the business. No one associates trash with money.

[@mackattack8627]

Great Work Getting Rich Has Nothing To Do With Eco Awareness Longevity Is Wealthy ✌️

[@exitmygamekid3007]

Meanwhile Ukraine is bombing oil tankers...

[@brandon9491]

@@exitmygamekid3007and russias bombing nuclear plants and targeting civilians. Russia wants to annex ukraine, i dont blame them for fighting back

[@ThorOdinson-zc2kq]

@@brandon9491Ukraine broke the arms agreement , Russia has every right to go to war. Ukraine is also home to biological weapons manufacturing and Bidens money laundering. It’s the most corrupt country in the world.

[@GoggleAX]

THIS is what an ACTUAL hero is. I’d like to tell him for myself and my family, Thank you.

[@Kylewraps]

How dare you call this man a hero and not acknowledge Bruce Jenner in the same sentence

[@UrsantaHoHoHo]

well, stop buying plastic takeouts and beverages

[@xtctheprod]

this man is actually helping the world! good job bro!

[@MsPinkwolf]

@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist1 what’s wrong with you?

[@brandoncorwin8812]

Well. We don't actually know that. Sure, he's collecting the trash out of the ocean. However, we have no idea what the next step of the process is. Where does it go after they pull it out of the ocean? They never seem to cover that part in any of these stories about this guy.

[@jaysaley7336]

any mindless bot could replace you

[@MsPinkwolf]

@brandoncorwin8812 A quick Google would answer that. The problem with people is some would rather just put something down without checking to find out the answer.

[@brandoncorwin8812]

@@MsPinkwolf Yeah, already did that. Visited their website too. There is no explanation as to what they do with the plastic after it is recovered from the ocean. All their website says is they WANT to make sturdy plastic products from the recovered plastic to help fund their operation. All they have so far is a pair of sunglasses. Also, not all plastic is recyclable.

[@randyvilla5433]

He truly deserves a Nobel Laureate!

[@ToxicGamer86454]

No

[@Vedrajrm]

Lol No

[@Vedrajrm]

@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist1how does one define them?

[@emrahsuvic2007]

He deserves a pet whale

[@KevinCovington5453]

This Kid Should Get The Nobel Peace Prize!

[@jaysaley7336]

As long as Nobel means Chaos

[@1964mcqueen]

@@jaysaley7336 alright, who is your nominee? And can you enlighten us all on the "chaos" that Slat has caused, aside from setting off people like you.

[@dinhtoan-trung3340]

agree!

[@mission_new-earth]

Yes. Don’t be jealous of the 16 yo! Someone had to do it. All it takes is courage. Use this to inspire!

[@michellebowers8652]

What I respect about this young man was his understanding that the solution would not be simple, or easy or fast. His organization has continued to change its strategies in response to what it has learned, and it has improved year by year.

[@mariarohmer2374]

It's really painful to see how utterly polluted our oceans are. Taking on a massive project to begin removing all this garbage is nothing less than heroic. It's astonishing how young and powerfully committed Boyan is. I have admired him from the moment he began speaking out and setting his intention to clean up the ocean. I wish there were a million more like him on the planet.🌊💙

[@metzmatu8409]

Add Its hard to think that international leaders allow Japan to release radoactive water waste to the sea....

[@janeclayton151]

It's so heartbreaking to see the turtles, dolphins, whales and other wildlife dying because they are consuming plastic and garbage.

[@dianebannister4591]

Thank you so much Boyan for cleaning the junk out of the oceans. That's such an important contribution to Sea life and to the world.

[@happyfunjenn]

This is the kind of person I want to see as Time's Person of the Year or as the winner of a Pulitzer Prize. His name should be known by all.

[@JackF99]

Pulitzers are given for writing and music.

[@zz-.-]

We need more news stories like this. Less division less hate less greed and more good. Thank you. Please keep it up. Please be the change we need in media.

[@smedlap8789]

I'm 44 and I remember when there was no plastic packaging. Just imagine what a mess the kids will have to deal with when they are 44. All of the plastic and chemicals from plastic in 100 years from now. What he is doing is phenomenal I am not taking away from what he accomplished, but in the whole scale of things it's just a blip.

[@kristinek2916]

We need more people like Boyan in the world!!! Thank you! 💙 🌍

[@franksliwa362]

That is a amazing young man! We all on this planet owe him a thank you for his vision and persistence to resolve a massive problem!!!

[@ramonschliszka6332]

Bojan shows the world that young people do have agency. He demonstrates that there are problems to be solved and that his generation can solve them. Not by glueing himself to vital infrastructure, throwing soup at valuable paintings, but by hard work, determination and cooperation. He makes me want to be a better person and be more aware of my use of plastics. I hope the Nobel prize committee is paying attention.

[@senai795]

I remember hearing about this guy many years ago, I'm happy to see his project is going very successfully, the Earth is very happy as well.

[@EhCloserLook]

This guy is amazing! Sending the best vibes his way! Keep up the great work! 👏👏👏

[@cocopuffskr]

WoW.. Thank You 👏🏾😢🙏🏾

[@RBC2_]

Incredible person.

[@rl6282]

God Bless him!😊

[@metime4325]

He needs to be recognized. He doesn't shout in demonstration to clean up the ocean. Unlike some crazy people who calls themselves "activists" throwing tomato soup at museums, but he does it himself in action, quietly but fiercely.

[@LipSyncLover]

one verse that has always stuck with me... “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men." Matthew 6:1 Always felt it still really applies today to performative morality. The righteous are down in the dirt, doing the things, they're not behind the bullhorns typically

[@metime4325]

@@LipSyncLover amen!

[@ahill4642]

Boyan Slat and his The Ocean Cleanup deserves to be in the world’s spotlight and to be supported fully by all nations. We all owe him a debt of gratitude. God bless him.

[@chicobicalho5621]

Slat wastes no time with needless words, for he is a doer. And the world desperately needs more people like him.

[@Brezzybri741]

Love him been watching his journey for years . Hope he can scale this to put a boat at different parts of water .

[@maxlinder5262]

I am so very .. Great full for what he is doing 🙂😊 If I saw him I would tell him in person ...I thank him so very much for cleaning & saving the Oceans .....😊

[@665Kattt]

I, like many others, am so incredibly grateful for this young man. He brings me peace knowing this issue is getting dealt with.

[@christineprice916]

How wonderful. Kudos to a teenager that knew to help the earth. Your parents and I am very proud of you. God bless you and your team young man!

[@jewelv]

Governments should invest in projects like this instead of investing in armaments! 🙄

[@shannon222ish]

Amen to that 🙌! This is what one operation can do what could multiple or many of these operations using the same or similar applications do ? ! It would certainly help !

[@minimaxmiaandme.4971]

Both are needed. Some wars are just....like Ukraine fighting for their country.

[@AllenHanPR]

When OCD meets humility. One man can change the world. This guy has almost cleaned up 1% of Ocean's trash. Can you imagine if there was 99 people who thought like him, we could've solved this problem within a couple years.

[@kathleen7825]

Boyant Is A True Hero For Humanity !!!! 🙏💗🙏💗

[@mztee8107]

Bravo! A true hero! Lets pray he inspires others, & leaders of nations. All good wishes to you. And, thanks.

[@garyweaver2898]

Thank you for cleaning the ocean

[@SfKitty]

Thank you so much for your help and service to our planet!!!! Please don’t stop and looking for bigger ways to combat this plastic problem altogether! People like me and many others are fortunate to have people like you in our world !

[@elnini415]

Wow this guy put in work 🙏

[@deannamadrigal7503]

Thank you so much. It's young folks like this that are going to help heal and bring the planet back into Harmony. Yes, I live on the Illinois River in Southern Oregon. The amount of trash I see on the river, so sad knowing it's all headed to the sea.

[@fredericoamigo]

The world needs more positive environmental new like this. I think it is paramount for our motivation- and therefore greater mobilization of our resources towards solving these problems. What an inspiration Boyan Slat is. Thank you for covering this. This amazing work needs even more coverage.

[@evelynkonig8677]

Bojan Slat ist Visionär ..er redet nicht nur , nein er macht !! Und das / die ganzen Teams unterstützen die Projekte . DANKE IHNEN ❤❤❤

[@elyt]

We definitely need more of this guy.

[@dannyortega6770]

I don't know how mother earth just doesn't say I'm done. Great job man very motivational. You give hope.

[@sjlaing]

I loved watching his company grow and his methods change and the amazing impact he is making to this problem.

[@elizabetheaton3882]

Boyan Slat, and everyone working to clean up the rivers and oceans, are the best modern heroes in my humble opinion. Thank you!

[@Sara-tl5jo]

A genius... A hero Thank you for what you're doing I appreciate so much people like you, that instead of going around get beautiful monuments dirty, or laying down highways to just protest, you sincerely asked yourself what you could do to clean up this world and you're actually doing it! I have no words to express my appreciation and gratitude. I hope a lot of young people can follow you...

[@chaosking911]

As disturbing the false flag protests you referring to are, still your opinion is way more concerning. You genuinely don't see a need for protests, to get our corrupt politicians to at least pretend they care about the issue. You praise a story about a guy that is literally doing a drop in a bucket effort and all ready to call it a day at that effort, guess in your world "job done"... I truly believe that people like yourself are more dangerous than the beyond corrupt oil executives.

[@marcoscraft609]

This young man is achieving more than loads of politicians ever have before him. Keep going, my man! Truly a standup guy. Cheers from Chicago, USA!!

[@theresabennett5892]

Amazing wonderful person doing work to help the whole road. GOD bless this organization

[@Dixiwonderlandyoutube]

He really deserve all the awards and recognition 🤍

[@bumblebee5990]

He is amazing, so grateful for the question he asked and then answered. We need people like him in every field. If you can’t do this, you can be present and heal yourself, so you can be a light for others. We can make this already beautiful planet even more beautiful.

[@WhereOceansMeeet]

Two comments for this bloke: One, thank you so much for having the planet's back! Secondly, you are an amazing person and there aren't many of us (but many of us strive to be more.) Also, as one last comment (I'm cheating.) If you ever make it to Asia, check out the Ganges River. Assuming the country allows you to clean it, it is terribly filthy, unfortunately. :(

[@kpatel7995]

Outstanding performance by this amazing young man and his team.People all over the World needs to help by not throwing Plastic and other junk in the Rivers and Ocean. Thanks.

[@SAMMl]

What an inspiring young man. You are a blessing to mankind and to mother earth.

[@lululuna9573]

Look! A person worthy of media exposition and admiration, it's... Is it... Is that an influencer? Indeed. You're amazing

[@lynnevanvorce7727]

This is an amazing young man. This is such an incredible venture. ❤

[@DarrenGibbons-xi9fq]

get a life

[@Lahurtful310]

Absolutely amazing!! Thank you so much!!

[@balancedL]

Brilliant work, Boyan and Ocean Clean-Up! Thank you!

[@Sushilegion]

This dude needs more help from people all over! Doing work only a real human heart can do!

[@cynthiafreed9870]

What a WONDERFUL human being!! What an Inspiration! THANK YOU

[@tarajoyce3598]

Making a real difference for positive change! Thank you so much!

[@hansel2001]

At first, i thought this guy, like many others who devote their early lives for a common good, had a privileged upbringing. But it turns out he was raised by a single mother and had a humble beginning. This Boyan guy is not one in a million…he’s one in a billion. Truly accomplished young man. We could solve most of humanity’s problems with 10 Boyans. How can the world cultivate more Boyans before it’s too late?

[@noraleestone2859]

What does a privileged upbringing have to do with becoming a decent human being? 🤔If he'd been born into money, perhaps he wouldn't have needed so much time getting projects up and running. 🤨😒Not every rich person is a monster, and not every poor person is a saint. 🙄

[@hansel2001]

@@noraleestone2859 I don’t disagree with you. But I’m not saying privilege equals ‘decent’; I’m saying he’s extraordinary despite humble beginnings.

[@YouCanCallMeReTro]

I get where you're coming from but as long as their goal is noble and genuine it matters not to me. People who are privileged and commit to doing good are giving back some of that generational wealth to society and its what people should aspire to do when they are born with more than others.

[@hansel2001]

@@YouCanCallMeReTro I don’t disagree with your point. In fact, someone famous (Carnegie, Vanderbilt, JP Morgan?) recommended for everyday people NOT to give to charity but rather to save/invest that money and give back more when that money becomes something (from a Chronicle of Higher Learning article in the 1990s that i can not find for the life of me). You’re talking about rich people giving back some of their generational wealth. That’s called philanthropy. I get your point. What I’m talking about is young people borne into wealth who pursue careers in civic duty or social good. Do you know why young rich people can do that? The best answer to any WHY question is ‘because they can.’ 99.9999% of us are too busy just surviving and paying rent. So for someone like Boyan who does NOT come from wealth who devotes their young life to environmental good is especially worthy of recognition. My point is how can society create more opportunities for the 99.9% to not worry about paying rent but to have financial support to carry out selfless careers for greater good. He’s very unique in that way.

[@dominik6416]

Boyan Slat is already a legend! the only person that does not only talk

[@Zach_Handle146]

So proud of this guy. Need more like him!

[@chriskelly6559]

His perseverance to take on this fight seems unwavering, even though he's like a man on a deserted island with no one else to help him save the oceans/planet.

[@allenkinter4088]

So refreshing to see someone helping the ocean instead of just taking a dump in it.

[@belejebkaan]

Kudos to this young man for taking the initiative to make a difference addressing the plastic problem. If this was left to governments, we'd still be waiting for the first clean up.

[@KellyRichey]

WOW!!! Amazing! Thank you for the work you’re doing!

[@DarkPrincessOfLight]

How wonderful !! I hope it all continues to improve !

[@paulearl56]

Your the best Boyan...proud t b member of Ocean clean up...God Bless

[@maxinewest4096]

Such good idea, what he is doing is helpful.

[@fernandooliveiralino]

Thank you Boyan Slat for your efforts. You're incredible.

[@ap5933]

The problem is people thinking that the trash can is too far away🤔

[@longbow857]

That is a first world country. In poor countrys no buisiness or goverment deals with waste so it's up to everybody how they get rid of it.

[@gregmiller9710]

what a fantastic, honorable human being!....thank you!

[@FlipMacz]

16...unreal Thank you.❤

[@annamindfulness]

Here is is an amazing human being using his young life to save the world 🌎! So empathy and altruistic ❤ Wow very admirable ❤❤❤❤

[@vivianallen9772]

Fabulous! We need a million more like him.

[@teresalegler2777]

Amazing! The genius and creative ways for cleaning our waters, land and the air, if these terrible “PLASTICS”.

[@BlakeOneOne82]

This is really REALLY cool, and I applaud the effort. :)

[@PoeticJusticeSC]

It's great to see good news stories like this! 😊

[@lisamcfarland8518]

This young man gives me great hope in the future. ❤

[@JeanBray-cj3lu]

Some of us are doing everything we can to keep plastics and trash taken care of in the correct way. Many blessings to you young man. Mother Earth is smiling.

[@Maverick-316]

I love the Ocean Cleanup Project, thank god they're doing something about it.

[@aneeqmasters1412]

Keep up the good work I do not have any please send this man a lot of money so they can keep on going

[@onelogue]

This kid is a legend. We need more coverage of his work.

[@stanleycoleman]

We need more of this.

[@mei6044]

Holy crap! Thats a lot of plastic! Ty for cleaning our ocean!

[@aysasaga1]

What an amazing human being.

[@janinekaretai4306]

Absolutely heroic

[@CJ-nf5jd]

Now this is a real hero to the world and all life on it. He's actually doing something and not lying and pretending.

[@m8trxd]

Protect this young man at all costs

[@hr2079]

What a great young man. Please keep up the good work!

[@michael9509]

Absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much and absolute shame on so many of humankind and governments. We MUST, MUST wake up!!😢

[@guadalupechavarria1227]

Great human being doing his part to keep the earth clean and enjoyable for both sea life and human life 🤔🙏🙏

[@earlybird3225]

Thank you for being the genius we needed, someone actually making a good difference in the world. ❤

[@elizabethmadness5277]

Love to watch the Ocean Cleanup with my six year old daughter to show her what is possible ❤❤❤

[@mb-qj5yo]

I wish I had the capabilities to do what he does but since I don’t I just do my little small part. This is awesome

[@stopwars8642]

Amazing work, If only all people would think like him. The problem is people and using the ocean as a wasteland not only plastics but all the chemicals dumped into it, oil spills after oil spill , toxic chemicals, swerage, and more.

[@berthagreen1620]

What an amazing man. We need more like him. Instead of sending people in space for no reason, let them use that money to help clean our oceans and planet.

[@DoreenBellDotan]

God bless this young man and his team.

[@PagesofWisdom313]

So proud of Boyan's consistency for being in this project for over a decade

[@jeannietimberger2556]

Thank you!! You're my hero!! ❤

[@glock19gen3]

This is what REAL hero's look like. This man is a literally angle from above, make no mistake.