The Panamanian organization Green Tide and the global initiative The Ocean Cleanup have joined forces to launch the Seven Basins Project, with the aim of significantly reducing the waste that reaches the Bay of Panama through the rivers of the capital.

Panama Bay, a protected area and Ramsar site, faces a growing threat from plastic pollution. Through advanced technologies, educational programs and collaboration with local authorities and communities, Siete Cuencas seeks to mitigate this problem.

The project is inspired by the success of Marea Verde on the Juan Díaz River, where since 2022 more than 290,000 kilos of waste have been avoided using floating barriers and collection systems. Worldwide, The Ocean Cleanup has removed more than 20 million kilos of waste from rivers and oceans.

The Seven Basins Project will begin with the installation of interceptors in the Río Abajo, with the goal of intervening two key rivers by 2025: the Río Abajo and the Río Matías Hernández.

Mirei de Heras, president of Marea Verde, said: “With the experience and support of our allies, we will be able to generate a significant impact in the fight against plastic pollution.” Boyan Slat, founder of The Ocean Cleanup, added: “Stopping pollution in rivers is key to cleaning the oceans.”