On July 29, BAN Toxics’ Policy Development and Research Team participated in a joint coordination meeting with partners from The Ocean Cleanup, CORA Philippines representatives and Founder Antoinette Taus, Barangay Caingin officials, and the Meycauayan City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), led by Engr. Ricardo Sta. Ana, to discuss the deployment of The Ocean Cleanup’s Interceptor in the Meycauayan River.
As part of the project, BAN Toxics will lead the River Waste and Bycatch Analysis, while CORA Philippines will conduct the Community Assessment. The coordination meeting served as a venue to align plans and prepare for the next steps of the project.
According to The Ocean Cleanup’s website, plastic pollution in the world’s oceans remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges, affecting nearly 900 marine species. A 2021 study indicates that 1% of rivers worldwide, including many small and medium-sized waterways, represent the largest contributors of ocean plastic pollution. Approximately 1,000 rivers contribute nearly 80% of riverine plastic pollution entering the world’s oceans.
Through its Interceptors, The Ocean Cleanup aims to prevent plastic from entering the oceans while also removing legacy plastic that has accumulated along coastlines.
The Meycauayan River is a critical waterway and one of the major rivers that drain into Manila Bay. It receives runoff from approximately 98% of the Bulacan River Basin, making it a strategic location for river-based interception efforts.
Through strong collaboration among local government, civil society organizations, community stakeholders, and development partners, this initiative aims to generate valuable data that will contribute to more effective river waste management and help prevent plastic pollution from reaching our oceans.