If you haven’t heard the name of Boyan Slat, it’s time you did, because he’s in the process of significantly changing the world for the better. Slat is an avid diver; he has been since childhood. And just like many of us, who have hobbies and passions that get us out into nature, he was bothered by the copious amounts of plastic garbage found in places that would otherwise be considered paradise.

After a particularly transformative diving experience in Greece where he encountered more plastic bags than marine life, Slat began a high school research project about the problem of garbage in the oceans. His project was so simple yet brilliant that he was promptly invited to present it on TED Talks. From there his idea started making enough waves that people all around the world wanted to fund it. Moreover, scientists, international organizations, and even governments began reaching out to him to offer assistance in developing The Ocean Cleanup Array. That was in 2011 when he was only 17 years old. Since then, he has raised over 2 million dollars to fund his work.

Today, the array is still in its testing phase, and there are certainly valid concerns that it either will not work, or that it may cause unforeseen damage to wildlife, but overall it looks promising. While it isn’t set to launch until 2016, preliminary tests have been conducted near Japan with promising results.

Here’s the basic layout of how it works:

• It’s a 1.2 mile long system consisting of solid floating barriers moored to the ocean floor
• Two arms will form a V shape to collect garbage as it passes through
• The solar powered platform will collect the plastic garbage for transport to land in containers
• It will remain stationary, allowing the currents to bring trash to it
• Plastics which are lighter and more buoyant than other objects will collect at the front of the floating barrier while sea life will flow with the current underneath it

It has been determined that collecting all ocean garbage by ship and net would take at least 79,000 years and cost more than we could ever hope to pay. Slat’s array, on the other hand, is projected to reasonably clean most of the plastic out of the ocean within 10 to 20 years for a relatively low cost.

But why worry about it at all? Aside from looking terrible, destroying natural habitats, and causing the deaths of millions of birds and marine life, plastic becomes a sponge for toxic waste when in contact with sea water and baking in the sun. This toxicity enters the food chain, and we eat fish products that are tainted with this toxic waste.

Perhaps the biggest concern about this project is that it treats the symptom rather than the cause. A number of environmental organizations are concerned that even if it works, it doesn’t actually prevent the flow of garbage into our oceans. However, Slat is the first to agree with them. He believes the solution to the 8.5 million tons of garbage that end up in our oceans each year must have multiple facets to be successful. Check out Slat’s website if you’re interested in learning more.

Did You Know? The North Pacific Gyre, or “Garbage Patch,” was discovered by Charles J. Moore when as he was returning home after competing in a sailing race in 1999. It’s estimated to be 270,000 square miles, which is about the size of Texas. And that’s a conservative estimate.

When it comes down to it, anyone who has spent any amount of time out on the water is aware of the undeniable feeling of wonder and freedom derived from the natural world when we’re away from all the noise and clutter of modern life. The last thing we want to see is that clutter destroying the places we love. Something needs to be done, and Boyan Slat is doing it.

Do you have any thoughts or questions? Please feel free to leave comments, I will respond to them. Are you looking to get out on the water and away from all the noise and clutter before summer ends? Browse our boat accessories for anything you might need.