Clean Oceans International

Overview Clean Oceans International (COI) is dedicated to reducing plastic pollution through scientific research, practical innovation, and hands-on action. Founded in 2008 in Santa Cruz, California, COI develops practical solutions to the plastic waste crisis, empowering communities worldwide. We work in partnership with institutions like Cabrillo College, UC Santa Cruz, and Oregon State University to educate future leaders and support locally driven environmental solutions. Environmental Plastic Assessment Program (EPAP) EPAP is COI’s flagship citizen science initiative, launched in 2012 to document the scale and spread of plastic pollution. With more than volunteers engaged in coastal surveys and cleanups, EPAP has collected vital data from Monterey Bay, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, and internationally in Brazil, Cuba, and Micronesia. COI has organized 28 local coastal cleanups - 21 of them in collaboration with Cabrillo College - and conducted over 70 EPAP plastic surveys at sites worldwide. Together, these efforts have removed over 60,400 pounds of debris and generated critical data to inform solutions. Portable Plastic Waste Conversion (PPWC) COI is pioneering Portable Plastic Waste Conversion technology to divert plastic from the environment and convert it into useful products. In partnership with Oregon State University, we’re advancing this system from prototype to field-ready, with a focus on environmental integrity, regulatory compliance, and local empowerment, offering sustainable options for plastic waste management. To support our mission, visit: