Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) is USAID’s global, flagship program under the Save Our Seas Initiative to address the 11 million metric tons of plastic that flow into the ocean each year. By enhancing circularity in rapidly urbanizing areas of developing countries, Clean Cities, Blue Ocean is targeting a major source of ocean plastic pollution.
- USAID’s Five Building Blocks for Reduced Ocean Plastic Pollution together create the program’s systems approach:
USAID strongly believes that local solutions are key to addressing the global challenge of ocean plastic pollution. The program works in collaboration with local partners, as well global experts, to implement and test locally-relevant and sustainable approaches to reduce ocean plastics that can be shared, scaled, and tailored to meet the needs and local realities of individual communities, public and private sector actors, and waste value chains around the world.
Learn more about Clean Cities, Blue Ocean’s program approach and technical areas, or download the program fact sheet.
CCBO Focal Countries
Clean Cities, Blue Ocean works across ten countries and in more than 25 cities in Asia, Pacific Islands, Latin America and the Caribbean. Through these activities, USAID is implementing the priorities of Section 202 of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act in key ocean plastic pollution hotspots.
Program Impact
As of March 2024, Clean Cities, Blue Ocean has:
- Safely managed over 7.4 million metric tons of waste and recyclables
- Prevented over 1.2 million metric tons of plastics (the equivalent of over 127 billion plastic bottles) from leaking into the environment
- Recovered and diverted over 30,000 metric tons of plastic and other waste from landfills, while supporting local livelihoods and building circular economies
- Trained over 17,000 individuals from local government, the informal waste sector, and local organizations to build local capacity for solid waste management planning and programs
- Directly impacted over 12 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 businesses and organizations
- Awarded over $11 million in grants and in-kind support to more than 43 local organizations and in-kind support to 8 city governments to implement effective, locally-led solutions
- Mobilized over $12.7 million in public and private sector investments for improved solid waste management systems and infrastructure
- Formed and facilitated more than 230 partnerships with local governments; private sector partners, including Nestle Philippines and the Coca-Cola Foundation; and groups including the Metro Manila Development Authority and World Bank, to build sustainable, circular economies
For general inquiries about Clean Cities, Blue Ocean, please contact info@cleancitiesblueocean.org. For questions specific to grant opportunities, please contact opportunities@cleancitiesblueocean.org.
Insights & Updates
See All Insights & Updates![Two couples pose for the camera, standing behind waste collection bins and next to a large red motorized tricycle.](https://urban-links.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC07848-scaled-400x282-c-default.jpg)
USAID Donates Essential Equipment for Waste Management in Samaná
![One man and three women pose in front of a large screen that reads](https://urban-links.org/wp-content/uploads/State-dept_United-States-and-Indonesia-Celebrate-Clean-Cities-Blue-Ocean-Collaboration-to-Reduce-Plastic-Pollution-1-1140x684-1-400x282-c-default.jpg)
United States and Indonesia Celebrate “Clean Cities, Blue Ocean” Collaboration to Reduce Plastic Pollution
![Photo of an electric assist bicycle with a small trailer attached to the back.](https://urban-links.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Island-online_USAID-1-400x282-c-default.jpg)
USAID and Lumala Revolutionize Waste Management Practices in Sri Lanka
![A man stands in an open warehouse among large bags filled with plastic bottles.](https://urban-links.org/wp-content/uploads/ccbo-pr-1-400x282-c-default.jpg)
USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean Program Helps Prevent Over 4,600 MT of Plastic from Entering the Ocean
![A woman smiles while speaking into a microphone in a meeting setting. In the background, another woman takes notes, and another looks at the speaker.](https://urban-links.org/wp-content/uploads/International-Plastics-Treaty-Negotiations_1-400x282-c-default.png)
USAID Shares Key Recommendations for Developing Inclusive Extended Producer Responsibility Frameworks in Support of International Plastics Treaty Negotiations
![A group of people, some in high-visibility vests and some in normal clothes, pose for the camera in front of a sign that reads](https://urban-links.org/wp-content/uploads/11-16-2023-PR-U.S.-Inaugurates-Php14-Million-Modern-Recycling-Facility-in-Pasig-City-1-1536x1017-1-400x282-c-default.jpg)
U.S. Inaugurates Php 14-Million Modern Recycling Facility in Pasig City
![Drone shot of a recycling plant under construction.](https://urban-links.org/wp-content/uploads/DJI_0376-scaled-400x282-c-default.jpg)
A Model for Waste Site Remediation in the Dominican Republic
![](https://urban-links.org/wp-content/uploads/School-Champion-Project_CCBO-400x282-c-default.jpeg)
From the Field: Empowering Youth as Agents of Change to Reduce Ocean Plastic Pollution
![](https://urban-links.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-05-26-Galvanizing-Global-Action-on-Plastic-Pollution-8924-002-scaled-400x282-c-default.jpg)
USAID Calls for Collective Action at Local and National Levels to Reduce Plastic Pollution
Key Resources
See All ResourcesDeveloping Integrated Solid Waste Management Plans to Advance Circular Economies
Guidelines for Developing Integrated Solid Waste Management Plans
Rapid Appraisal Facility Tool
Creating Economies of Scale for Plastics Recycling
Conjunto de herramientas del Índice de Capacidad de Residuos Sólidos para Gobiernos Locales (SCIL)
Women in Waste’s Economic Empowerment Activity: Empowering Women to Reduce Ocean Plastics
Clean Cities, Blue Ocean Overview
Advancing Climate Change Mitigation Goals Through Improved Solid Waste Management
Extended Producer Responsibility: A System for a Circular Economy
Piloting Local Business Models and Scalable Best Practices that Promote the 3Rs and Build More Circular Economies
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