Dutch inventor Boyan Slat and his organization, The Ocean Cleanup, have recovered 65 million kilograms of waste from the seas and rivers globally. Slat was honored with the International Young Energy Leader Award in Doha, Qatar, at the Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards ceremony. The awards recognize achievements in energy and sustainability, presented at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha. Slat acknowledged the irony of receiving the award from a nation heavily involved in fossil fuel production – a key component in plastic manufacturing – but highlighted Qatar as a crucial location for fundraising. He reflected on the initial skepticism surrounding his project, emphasizing its now-proven viability. Notable recovered items include a U.S. Army water bottle from the Vietnam War and, tragically, human remains found primarily in rivers within countries experiencing high levels of crime. The Ocean Cleanup, based in Rotterdam, currently operates in twelve countries with a team of approximately 350 employees.