12 Sustainable Tech Innovations Making a Real Impact on Our Planet

9. Ocean Cleanup & Water Innovations

It’s easy to forget the trash we can’t see—but microplastics and waste are choking waterways and oceans. High-tech solutions like AI-powered skimmers, nanotech water filters, and enormous plastic-collecting barges are stepping up. Projects such as The Ocean Cleanup have already pulled over 5,000 tons of plastic from the Pacific since 2023—enough to fill several city blocks. These efforts exist alongside new approaches to filter tiny particles out of municipal water or shield beaches and harbors from floating debris. Whether you live near a coast or hundreds of miles inland, these innovations keep waterways safer for wildlife and people alike. Supporting organizations advancing ocean cleanup—or simply saying no to single-use plastics—can amplify these tech-powered wins.