Drones help clear 4.4 tonnes of litter from South Korean islands

About 4.4 tonnes of marine litter have been removed from the shores of two South Korean islands using heavy-lift drones and a dedicated collection ship, according to Incheon city authorities.

On October 20, drones carried waste gathered by residents on Mungapdo and Soya-do in Ongjin County to a vessel that took it to the mainland. The operation is part of a project connecting satellite detection, detailed drone surveys, local collection and transport.

The approach tackles a practical obstacle: finding coastal rubbish is not the same as being able to remove it. Rocky shores and cliffs around Incheon’s islands can make access difficult for workers and boats. Even after waste is collected, moving it to a ship can be slow and hazardous.

The drones used in the trial can carry up to 100 kilograms per trip, easing the burden of transporting rubbish by hand. Incheon has used satellites and drones to map marine litter since 2022, but says linking those findings directly to removal addresses a gap in its earlier monitoring work.

Trials are scheduled to continue through November, with a target of collecting 30 tonnes by the end of 2026. The city plans to use the results to develop a model other South Korean coastal authorities could adopt.