Chula Partners with the Ocean Cleanup to Stop Plastic Waste before It Hits the Ocean With Cameras and AI

BANGKOK, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chulalongkorn University has partnered with The Ocean Cleanup and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to use camera technology and AI to analyze the amount of waste in the Chao Phraya River, aiming to reduce environmental impacts and to promote effective waste management policies both on land and in water sources. 

If you think that the trash you throw away today will disappear from your life forever, think again! 

"By examining the label of plastic waste found on the Chao Phraya River, we found garbage that dates back 10 years!" Professor Dr. Suchana Chavanich, Professor of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, and Deputy Director of the Aquatic Resources Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, revealed findings from the Chao Phraya River Plastic Waste Disposal Research Project in Bangkok, where Chula researchers used cameras and AI technology to intercept and track waste in the Chao Phraya River from 2021 to 2024.

"Currently, Thailand ranks in the top 10 in the world for inefficient waste management, resulting in high levels of marine pollution", Prof. Dr.Suchana cautioned. 

In the past, many organizations and sectors have continuously tried to raise awareness and enact policies and measures to reduce and eliminate waste both on land and in the waterways to reduce marine waste. Similarly, the latest pilot project — Research focused on eliminating plastic waste from the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, "a collaboration between Chulalongkorn University, the Embassy of the Netherlands, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and the private sector under the operation of The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit environmental engineering organization from the Netherlands that aims to survey the amount of waste in all five of the world's oceans.  The project team is made up of scientists, engineers, designers, and volunteers working together to develop technologies to tackle the issue of marine waste.

Waste problem in Thai rivers and seas

Based on the data on the amount of municipal solid waste and waste management capability in 23 coastal provinces in 2022, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources estimates the amount of marine waste to be 11.60 million tons.  Of this amount, 302,389 tons (or 0.30 million tons) are "plastic waste," and 10-15 percent of this plastic waste can remain on the beach or float into the sea and become "marine waste," totalling about 30,239-45,358 tons or 0.03-0.45 million tons. 

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has been actively implementing various marine waste management initiatives since the 2017 fiscal year, aiming to raise public awareness and significantly reduce waste in the ocean and along the coastline. The project also seeks to prevent the reemergence of marine waste by cleaning up leftover trash in Thailand's critical ecosystems—including beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove forests—across 21 coastal provinces.  The initiative operates through collaborative networks involving local communities, municipal organizations, government agencies, the private sector, and others. Despite these earnest efforts, plastic and general waste continue to pollute Thailand's waterways and seas.  If left unaddressed, waste contamination in water sources could pose severe threats to marine life, public health, and the nation's economy, particularly in the fisheries and tourism sectors, while also tarnishing Thailand's international image in the long run. 

Cameras and AI detect the amount and path of waste in rivers

Prof. Dr. Suchana said that in the Research Project on Plastic Waste Disposal in Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, a team of researchers from Chula was responsible for studying and collecting data on the amount of waste in the Chao Phraya River from 2021 to 2024 to analyze the amount of waste flowing into the sea and studying the efficiency of the automated, solar-powered waste collection vessel (Interceptor) in reducing waste before it goes to the ocean.  "The Chula research team installed debris detection cameras at three major bridges: King Pinklao Bridge, Arun Amarin Bridge, and Bhumibol Bridge, where the garbage flows downstream. These cameras record images every 15 minutes so that the amount of garbage can be tracked 24 hours a day with more efficiency than observing it with the naked eye." Prof. Dr. Suchana explains the process of waste photo collection and analysis. 

"Then, The Ocean Cleanup's AI will help process the photos, analyze the amount and type of waste passing under the bridges, track the path of movement of the waste, and assess the efficiency of the Interceptor."

Research Results and Future Direction

Prof. Dr. Suchana revealed preliminary results that "plastic waste" is still the main waste found in the Chao Phraya River, and the use of the solar-powered waste interceptor significantly reduces the amount of waste flowing into the sea.  The Interceptor can collect up to 6-7 tons of garbage over 2-3 days, depending on the weather.  Once collected, the garbage is carefully sorted and properly disposed of.

Initially, the data collected and analyzed using AI will be used to guide policy formulation by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and relevant organizations, which aims to continue the project for another three years.  Prof. Dr. Suchana expressed confidence that once the research team completed the data analysis, the findings will lead to more effective waste management strategies. 

"The findings of this study will serve as a 'crucial database' that can be further developed into a more effective and systematic river waste management plan. It will enable us to craft more precise and sustainable waste management policies at both local and national levels—for instance, identifying high-dumping areas to plan preventive measures, developing policies or regulations to reduce waste discharge into waterways, and promoting community-based waste management at the source. All of these efforts will contribute to reducing long-term environmental impacts," said Prof. Dr. Suchana.  She further added, "The use of imaging technology and AI will help us understand the areas that still require waste management attention, regardless of whether waste interceptors are in place. It also allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of existing public and private waste management initiatives."

Ultimately, the waste crisis knows no borders—collective awareness and action across all sectors are essential.

"Solving the waste problem is a shared responsibility. This international cooperation highlights the fact that the waste we assume to be our country's problem can be swept into the sea and affect other nations. Therefore, waste management is not just a national issue—it is a global challenge that all countries must address together," concluded Prof. Dr. Suchana.

Read the full article at : https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/246496/ 

About Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University has made the world's top 50 university list for employment outcomes, which reflects both the high employment rate and work ability of Chula graduates. The university is also listed as the best in Thailand for the 15th Consecutive Year (since 2009), according to the newly released QS World University Rankings 2024, putting Chula at 211th in the world, up from 244th last year.

Social Media:

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chulauniversity
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/15101896/

 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Chula Partners with the Ocean Cleanup to Stop Plastic Waste before It Hits the Ocean With Cameras and AI

GLENDORA, Calif., March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric mobility brand Hiboy is making a bigger move into physical retail. The company's compact commuter e-bike, the Hiboy C1, is now appearing in select Costco warehouse locations across the United States, and members can currently find it.

For a brand that first built its reputation online, the Costco rollout signals a broader shift toward traditional retail shelves. It also puts the Hiboy C1 in front of a much wider audience of everyday riders who may be encountering electric bikes for the first time during a routine warehouse visit.

From Online Mobility Brand to Warehouse Aisles

Costco has become an increasingly interesting place to spot e-bikes lately. Alongside everything from bulk groceries to patio furniture, the warehouse giant has quietly expanded its selection of personal mobility products.

For Hiboy, getting a product onto those warehouse floors is no small feat. Costco is known for a tightly controlled product lineup, often carrying only a handful of models in each category. That means every item must pass internal evaluations around reliability, value, and customer demand.

The appearance of the Hiboy C1 suggests the retailer sees growing interest in affordable electric transportation, particularly bikes designed for short daily trips and city commuting.

Hiboy has been steadily expanding its retail footprint in recent years. In addition to Costco, the brand's scooters and e-bikes can also be found through national retailers like Best Buy and Walmart, signaling a shift from a purely digital brand toward broader mainstream distribution.

20% OFF: A Lower Entry Price for Costco Members

For Costco shoppers, the new listing also comes with a price advantage. The Hiboy C1 is currently offered with a 20% discount, bringing the commuter-focused e-bike into a price range that's attractive for riders curious about trying electric transportation without committing to a high-end model.

That combination, warehouse availability plus a reduced price, is often how many first-time riders end up purchasing their first e-bike.

And unlike online orders, warehouse availability means some customers may be able to pick one up and ride it home the same day.

The Hiboy C1: A Compact City Commuter

Positioned as an everyday commuter bike, the Hiboy C1 focuses on practical urban riding rather than high-performance specs.

The bike features a minimalist step-through design with a streamlined one-piece frame and internally routed wiring. The integrated construction removes visible weld seams, giving the bike a cleaner appearance compared to many entry-level commuter models.

Key features include:

• Suspension: Front suspension fork for smoother city riding
• Lighting: Integrated headlight for improved visibility
• Riding Modes: Pure electric, pedal assist, and standard bicycle mode

The setup makes the Hiboy C1 suitable for short urban commutes, neighborhood rides, and quick errands, exactly the kind of trips where many riders are starting to swap cars for lighter electric mobility.

Why Warehouse Retail Still Matters for E-Bikes

While many e-bike brands grow primarily through online channels, physical retail remains an important way for new riders to discover and experience e-bikes. Seeing a bike in person, and knowing it comes from a retailer with a well-known return policy, can make customers more comfortable making the jump to electric transportation.

For Costco, adding more personal mobility products also reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior. E-bikes and electric scooters have become increasingly common in cities as commuters look for alternatives to traffic, parking costs, and rising fuel prices. Affordable, entry-level commuter bikes like the Hiboy C1 are often where that transition begins.

Looking Ahead

Hiboy's arrival in Costco stores may be just the beginning of a deeper retail partnership. As interest in electric transportation continues to grow, warehouse retailers and big-box chains are becoming an important gateway for bringing e-bikes to a broader audience.

For now, Costco members browsing the warehouse aisles may notice something new parked between the seasonal displays and sporting goods section: a compact commuter e-bike designed to make everyday trips a little easier.

And with a 20% member discount attached, the Hiboy C1 could end up being one of the more accessible entry points into electric riding yet.

About Hiboy 

Hiboy is a personal mobility brand in North America known for its reliable and accessible electric scooters and e-bikes. The company focuses on developing practical short-distance transportation solutions that prioritize safety, durability, and everyday usability. .

Guided by its slogan, "Begin the Joyride," Hiboy is committed to delivering dependable and cost-effective products that make everyday transportation more enjoyable and sustainable, helping riders embrace smarter, greener mobility.

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Hiboy C1 E-Bike Lands at Costco Stores