Circular Explorer

The Circular Explorer is a 100% solar powered recycling catamaran, designed to recover marine plastic waste in the Manila Bay, Philippines. To accelerate its impact, the Circular Explorer includes an education program and science lab onboard to empower next-generation changemakers and push the boundaries of marine science.

Watch the recap of our Manila Bay launch event

Rising marine pollution

Our oceans play a vital role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems – from the food we eat to the air we breathe. This balance is being threatened by pollution, and the statistics are alarming:

Scientists estimate that our oceans currently contain over 150 million metric tons of plastic waste
Each year, an estimated 8 million more metric tons of plastics end up in our oceans
There are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in our oceans
We currently recycle only 9% of the 381 million metric tons of waste we produce
At the going rate, the plastic in our oceans will outweigh fish by 2050

The circular economy solution

To tackle marine pollution and clean up our oceans, we need to shift to a circular economy based on the principles of reduce, recycle, regenerate. That’s why we launched the Circular Explorer – a first of its kind solution that can recover up to four tons of marine litter every day.

To maximize our impact, the Circular Explorer includes an education program to empower students and local communities to lead the shift toward circular living. Taking a science-driven approach, the Circular Explorer has also partnered with the University of the Philippines Marine Institute to advance ocean research. Built-in sensors and microplastic collectors on board facilitate live data mapping to fuel the faculty’s research programs.

The Circular Explorer’s mission

The Circular Explorer represents our commitment to protecting the Earth’s oceans and accelerating the circular economy to preserve our ecosystems.

The Circular Explorer is based on three pillars:

Recycling

Putting the circular economy in motion

The Circular Explorer cleans up rivers and coastal areas. Each day, we can recover up to four tons of floating plastic and transform it into new resources together with local recycling partners.

Our Geocycle waste management business turns non-recyclable waste into an alternative energy source.

Education

Educating for change

The Circular Explorer is an education center empowering local communities to take action to save our oceans. Together with One Earth – One Ocean and local partner institutions and communities, we raise awareness and educate people about the importance of marine preservation and the circular economy. We develop and share customized learning toolkits and education workshops to communicate best practices for taking action locally. Our on-board sessions and clean-up events are an opportunity for the public to get involved and be part of the solution.

Science

Advancing marine science

The Circular Explorer is a floating scientific laboratory and mobile research center. On our journey, we collect data to help us learn more and create better solutions for the future. We partner with leading scientific institutions, researchers and students to contribute to marine research projects. Using specialized sensors installed on the vessel, we collect data and map water quality and microplastic pollution. We then use and share this data to explore scientific solutions and encourage better recycling and waste management practices.

Circular Explorer close up

Solar panels

The solar panels on the Circular Explorer can be tilted up to 33 degrees and turned 360 degrees to follow the sun. The power is stored in batteries on board the boat that drives the electric motor.

Area of 60 square meters
360 degree rotatable to follow the sunlight
Solar panels adjustable up to 33 degree

Conveyor belt

The conveyor belt is lowered into the water when cleaning starts.

Plastic waste is then transported up to the boat for manual sorting. Single sort split plastic is recycled for reuse in cooperation with local partners and converted into new products.

The remaining plastic that is unable to be recycled will be used as an alternative energy source.