‘8 million tons.’
This is the amount of plastic waste that flows into the ocean annually, as reported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The problem is that this discarded plastic forms massive garbage islands in the ocean. According to data released by the Dutch non-profit organization, Ocean Cleanup, as of 2018, the largest garbage island contains 1.8 trillion pieces of waste and covers an area of 1.55 million square kilometers.

As this plastic continues to break down, it becomes increasingly difficult to collect, and marine animals often mistake it for food. In turn, ocean plastic pollution also affects humans who consume seafood, threatening the global ecosystem. In response, Kia and The Ocean Cleanup have joined forces to tackle the ever-growing problem of ocean plastic pollution. The Ocean Cleanup is an international environmental organization using innovative technology to combat ocean plastic pollution.

Since 2022, Kia has been working with The Ocean Cleanup to recycle discarded plastic and turn it into durable consumer goods, collaborating on all stages from collection and sorting to product development. Thanks to their combined efforts, the highest annual volume of ocean plastic ever extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch was achieved in 2023. Ocean Cleanup’s ultimate goal is to eliminate 90% of ocean plastic pollution by 2040.

Kia is actively upcycling the collected plastic into automotive products through materials research and development. As a first proof of concept, Kia introduced a limited-edition trunk liner for the EV3. in October 2024, making it the world’s first car accessory made from plastic collected from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

The limited-edition trunk liner for the EV3 drew inspiration from Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. The top surface pattern evokes the image of plastic being collected from the waves of the ocean, reflecting the work that The Ocean Cleanup performs. Additionally, Kia and Ocean Cleanup teams succeeded in securing a recycled ocean plastic content ratio of 40%.

Kia plans to raise the proportion of recycled plastic used in finished vehicles to over 20% by 2030 to support its vision of becoming a leader in sustainable mobility. Additionally, the company will establish and maintain a ‘virtuous recycling loop’ to minimize climate impact when disposing of vehicles.

Moreover, Kia aims to increase the recycling rates of discarded batteries, plastic, and other materials, further helping to protect the environment.