Marine Debris Management

Tetra Tech helps rapidly urbanizing countries address ocean plastic pollution directly at its source. We work throughout Asia, the Pacific Islands, Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America to reduce ocean plastic pollution. Our work includes strengthening waste management systems that advance circular economies and empower vulnerable populations—including women and other informal waste sector members—who play critical roles in managing local waste.

We help partners around the world advance local solid waste management systems to create cleaner cities, healthier oceans, and reduce waste-linked contributions to the climate crisis. Since 2019 Tetra Tech has served as the implementing partner for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s flagship global Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program to address ocean plastic pollution under the Save our Seas Initiative.

Tetra Tech has helped the CCBO program safely manage 445,000 metric tons of waste and recyclables—preventing more than 60,000 metric tons of plastics from entering the environment (the equivalent of over 5.52 billion plastic bottles) from leaking into the environment. Our services have directly impacted more than 9.2 million individuals who have experienced improved air and water quality as a result of landfill remediation activities or have improved access to waste services as a result of new local government programs, businesses, and organizations. We also have mobilized more than $8.5 million in additional investments for improved solid waste management systems and infrastructure.