From Ocean Plastic Waste to Car Trunks: The Latest Eco-Friendly Innovation from Kia
⏰ 3-minute Read – At Car Pros Kia Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, CA, we’re excited to share a groundbreaking step forward in sustainable automotive design: the Kia brand’s latest initiative, which turns ocean plastic into car accessories.
This new development enhances the carmaker’s reputation for innovation and contributes to a cleaner planet, showcasing a commitment to blending advanced technology with environmental stewardship. Let’s explore this inspiring journey toward sustainability and what it means for the future of driving green.
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A Bold Step Toward Sustainability
In a world increasingly focused on reducing environmental impact, Kia has taken a bold step by introducing the world’s first car accessory crafted from recycled plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). This effort represents a significant milestone in the brand’s partnership with The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization dedicated to removing plastic waste from the oceans.
Kia sets a new industry standard by turning ocean waste into valuable automotive components. The brand’s dedication to sustainability is evident, as it works towards a future where driving a car doesn’t have to compromise environmental values.
From Ocean Waste to Car Accessories
The new car accessory, a trunk liner specifically designed for the upcoming all-electric Kia EV3*, is a testament to the power of reimagining waste. Made with 40% recycled plastic retrieved by The Ocean Cleanup, the trunk liner is more than just an eco-friendly product—it’s a statement of how far we can go when we think creatively about recycling. The trunk liner retains the durability and functionality that customers expect while featuring a design inspired by ocean waves and the plastic collection process itself. This thoughtful design reflects the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ philosophy, emphasizing the harmony between technology and nature.
*Available only in select markets.
But the innovation doesn’t stop with the material. Each trunk liner has a QR code, allowing customers to delve deeper into its creation story. By scanning the code, drivers can learn how the plastic traveled from the ocean to become a part of their vehicle, creating a more personal connection to the global effort to reduce plastic waste. This interactive experience reminds us that even our small choices, like opting for sustainable car accessories, contribute to a larger impact.
A Partnership with Global Reach
The Kia brand’s collaboration with The Ocean Cleanup began in 2022 and has focused on turning ocean plastic waste into high-quality automotive materials. This intricate process requires the collected plastic to be sorted, recycled, and tested to meet strict durability standards. Unlike other recycling efforts, the material recovered by The Ocean Cleanup comes entirely from the ocean, making it a unique challenge to ensure its quality for repurposing into durable products like the trunk liner.
This initiative is more than just a one-off project. It’s part of a long-term vision to incorporate sustainable practices across Kia’s entire lineup. Since the partnership began, Kia and The Ocean Cleanup have worked together to transform ocean plastic into a resource, proving that even the most challenging waste materials can be given new life through innovation.
Expanding the Commitment to Green Mobility
Creating the recycled trunk liner is just one aspect of the brand’s broader push toward sustainability. From using recycled fishnets in the flooring of the EV9 to crafting seat fabrics from recycled plastic bottles in the EV6, Kia has consistently integrated eco-friendly materials into its vehicles. These efforts support the Kia brand’s ambitious goal to ensure that by 2030, more than 20% of its vehicle components are made from recycled materials.
These efforts reflect the Kia brand’s commitment to a circular resource system, where materials are reused and repurposed instead of discarded. By transforming ocean plastic into practical car accessories, Kia is reducing waste in our oceans and showing that automotive luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.
[Also read: What’s New in the Latest Kia Vehicles: 2025 K4, 2025 K5, and 2025 Carnival]
Driving Toward a Greener Future with Kia
At Car Pros Kia Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, CA, we are proud to be part of the car brand’s journey towards a more sustainable future. The introduction of the recycled trunk liner for the Kia EV3 symbolizes what can be achieved when innovation and environmental stewardship come together. It proves that sustainability doesn’t have to compromise quality or aesthetics—it can be an integral part of the products we use every day.