Kia supports Ocean Cleanup's Panama City plastic-reduction push under 30 Cities Program
Kia partner The Ocean Cleanup reports measurable plastic reduction in Panama City rivers, with two Interceptor systems now deployed and an international team documenting the impact.
- 41,000+ tons
- 800,000+ kg
- 100,000+ kg
- 60 million kg
What Happened
Kia Corporation's non-profit partner The Ocean Cleanup is highlighting Panama City as a success story of its 30 Cities Program, with measurable plastic reduction in urban rivers. Working with national and city authorities, local non-profit Marea Verde and communities, the project targets the seven rivers flowing through the city under the 'Seven Basins' Project. Two Interceptor systems — 022 on the Río Abajo and 025 on the Río Matías Hernández — are already delivering city-wide results. Plans call for initiatives on five more waterways along with environmental education programs.
The Ocean Cleanup is a Netherlands-based non-profit that develops and scales solutions to remove plastic from oceans, both by stopping river inflow and cleaning up accumulated waste. It says it has already prevented more than 60 million kilograms of trash from reaching the world's oceans. Its 30 Cities Program aims to scale Interceptor technology across key population centers in Asia and the Americas, targeting elimination of up to one third of river-borne plastic by the end of the decade and a 90 percent reduction in floating ocean plastic pollution by 2040.
41,000tons
Per the United Nations Environment Program
- Prevent more than 800,000 kg of waste reaching the sea each year
- Recover at least 100,000 kg of plastic annually
- Contribute to a clean ecosystem for more than two million migratory birds
- Restore more than 30 km of coastline
- Improve quality of life in communities along the intervened rivers
Kia and The Ocean Cleanup have been partners since 2022, with the partnership continuing until 2031. As a Global Mission Partner, Kia provides funding, mobility solutions and R&D expertise, and integrates ocean plastic into its value chain. The first product is a limited-edition trunk liner for the Kia EV3 made with 40% recycled plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, 35% TPV and 25% inorganics, scheduled to go on sale in select European markets later this year. Kia also recently supplied two EV3 and two EV4 models to support operations at The Ocean Cleanup's Rotterdam headquarters. Last year, a documentary co-produced by Kia showed the impact of The Ocean Cleanup's mission in Guatemala.
Kia and The Ocean Cleanup begin long-term partnership.
International team travels to Panama City to witness the project's effects firsthand.
Limited-edition EV3 trunk liner using ocean plastic goes on sale in select European markets.
Why this matters
Plastic waste in rivers is a major source of ocean pollution. This project uses Interceptor barriers to stop trash before it reaches the Bay of Panama, aiming to prevent over 800,000 kg of waste per year and restore 30 km of coastline. If achieved, it would improve water quality and ecosystems for local communities and more than two million migratory birds.
Terms in This Story
- Interceptor
- A system of floating barriers used to collect plastic waste in rivers.
- Great Pacific Garbage Patch
- A large accumulation of plastic debris floating in the Pacific Ocean.
- TPV
- Thermoplastic vulcanizate, a durable rubber-like material used in manufacturing.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.