In a world where pollution continues to threaten marine life and ecosystems, one global movement has shown that collective action can make a real difference. The #TeamSeas initiative, launched by YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) and engineer-turned-creator Mark Rober, has officially surpassed a massive milestone, removing over 34 million pounds of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and beaches.
How TeamSeas Began
Back in October 2021, MrBeast and Mark Rober, both known for using their platforms for large-scale environmental campaigns, unveiled TeamSeas as the spiritual successor to their earlier effort, #TeamTrees, which planted more than 20 million trees worldwide. Their new goal was just as ambitious: to remove 30 million pounds of trash from waterways by raising $30 million, with every dollar donated representing one pound of waste removed.
The project was a collaboration between two leading environmental organizations, Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup. The Ocean Conservancy focused on organizing volunteers for beach and coastal cleanups, while The Ocean Cleanup deployed innovative river and ocean technologies designed to intercept waste before it reached the sea.
A Viral Movement for a Global Cause
The campaign spread rapidly across social media. Thousands of creators joined the effort by posting videos, sharing updates, and urging followers to contribute. Within just two months, TeamSeas hit its original target, raising over $30 million from over 1.5 million donors around the world. Major public figures, corporations, and anonymous philanthropists also joined in, turning the campaign into one of the largest environmental crowdfunding movements in history.
But the mission didn’t end there. Even after the initial goal was reached, donations and cleanup efforts continued steadily through 2022, 2023, and beyond. The Ocean Cleanup expanded its reach with new Interceptor systems, large, solar-powered machines capable of collecting thousands of pounds of debris from polluted rivers each day. Meanwhile, Ocean Conservancy volunteers continued hands-on efforts at coastlines across more than 150 countries.
The Results So Far
By late 2025, TeamSeas confirmed that more than 34 million pounds of trash, including plastics, fishing nets, and other marine debris, had been successfully removed. That’s the equivalent of over 17,000 tons of waste diverted from oceans and river systems.
This milestone represents not just cleaner water but also healthier marine ecosystems. Every pound of trash removed helps reduce the risks faced by fish, seabirds, and marine mammals that often become entangled in debris or ingest plastic waste.
Why TeamSeas Still Matters
The campaign’s long-term impact goes beyond the numbers. It proved that digital activism can create real-world environmental change, inspiring millions to take action in their own communities. It also showed that technological innovation, when paired with global collaboration, can help tackle even the most daunting environmental challenges.
Even years after its launch, TeamSeas remains active, funding ongoing cleanup operations, supporting new waste-interception technologies, and encouraging a global culture of responsibility toward the planet.
A Legacy of Collective Action
From an ambitious YouTube challenge to a worldwide environmental movement, TeamSeas is a powerful reminder that when people unite for a shared cause, real change happens.
As the oceans continue to heal, one cleanup, one river, and one beach at a time, the message of TeamSeas endures:
Every action counts, and together, we can clean the world.
