Clean Cities, Blue Ocean Overview

Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) is the U.S. Agency for International Development’s global flagship program to combat ocean plastic pollution. The program works at the global level and in specific, rapidly urbanizing focal countries to target ocean plastics directly at their source. By strengthening waste management systems and building circular economies, city by city, the program builds sustainable solutions that reduce ocean plastics while empowering vulnerable populations and mitigating pollution that affects human health and our climate.

More than 22 million tons of plastic leak into our aquatic environment each year, the majority from land-based sources, primarily communities and cities that aren’t able to adequately collect and manage local waste. To address this critical issue, the program works in collaboration with global, regional, and local stakeholders to test, scale, and share inclusive and sustainable solutions to promote the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), strengthen solid waste management systems, and build or advance local circular economies. The program’s work supports its partner countries to implement national plans and strategies and aligns with U.S. Government priorities and plans, particularly those outlined in Save our Seas 2.0 (signed into law in December 2020), such as increased engagement and cooperation with foreign governments, local stakeholders, and the private sector for the development of sustainable solutions.