Forbes StaffBoyan Slat is a Dutch entrepreneur, inventor, and environmental advocate, best known as the founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing plastic pollution from the world’s oceans. As one of the most prominent young innovators in environmental technology, Boyan has gained global recognition for his groundbreaking efforts to tackle one of the planet’s most pressing ecological challenges.
Born on July 27, 1994, in Delft, Netherlands, Boyan displayed a passion for problem-solving and engineering from a young age. At just 16 years old, during a diving trip in Greece, he was struck by the sheer amount of plastic in the ocean compared to marine life. This experience inspired him to dedicate his life to addressing the growing crisis of ocean plastic pollution.
In 2013, at the age of 18, Boyan founded The Ocean Cleanup after dropping out of aerospace engineering studies at Delft University of Technology. His innovative idea was to develop a passive system that uses ocean currents to collect plastic waste, significantly reducing the time and cost required to clean the oceans. The concept quickly gained international attention after a TEDx talk he delivered went viral, leading to widespread support and crowdfunding that raised millions of dollars.
Since its inception, The Ocean Cleanup has made significant strides, deploying systems in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and other polluted areas to extract plastic waste effectively. In addition to cleaning the oceans, the organization has also developed solutions to intercept plastic in rivers before it reaches the sea, addressing the problem at its source.
Boyan’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30, TIME’s 100 Next, and receiving the United Nations Champions of the Earth Award. His dedication to innovation and sustainability has made him a leading voice in the fight against environmental degradation.
Boyan Slat’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to preserving the planet continue to inspire people worldwide. Through The Ocean Cleanup, he has shown how innovation, determination, and collaboration can create solutions to seemingly insurmountable global challenges.
