# Tracking Ocean Plastic Waste with Smart Cameras The Ocean Cleanup is creating the world's largest database of floating plastic. - **Source:** [Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories](https://brifing.si/source/8b0f98da-d179-4c93-871f-7ac460bf9c61) - **Published:** 2026-07-22 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/10c7f660-0fc7-4793-8562-61aae4614330 ## Project Launch In 2019, The Ocean Cleanup launched the Automated Debris Imaging System (ADIS) to track plastic waste in the oceans. This system was designed to detect and collect data on floating plastics. ## Technology Performance Over its first five years, ADIS scanned 14,500 km² of ocean surface. During this period, it identified and recorded over 20,000 large floating objects. ## Database Creation The collected data formed the foundation of the world's most comprehensive database on floating plastics. This database has become a crucial resource in the fight against plastic pollution. ## Environmental Impact The project marked a critical step in understanding the scale of plastic pollution in the oceans and developing solutions. The data will guide future cleanup efforts. ## Technological Innovation ADIS uses smart camera technology to automatically identify plastic waste. This provides a faster and more efficient process compared to manual methods. ## Future Goals The Ocean Cleanup aims to expand the database and develop more effective strategies to combat plastic pollution. This work contributes significantly to global environmental protection efforts. ## Sources covering this story - https://phys.org/news/2026-07-largest-database-ocean-plastic-smart.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._