In response to concerns over waste accumulation in the Yaque del Norte River, Cilpen Global has clarified that the circulating images depict the ‘Blue Barrier,’ a cutting-edge containment system installed in Santiago de los Caballeros in March 2024. This innovative solution is designed to intercept plastics and floating debris before they contaminate irrigation canals or reach the Caribbean Sea, while simultaneously raising public awareness about environmental pollution. The system employs a submersible belt to transport collected waste to containers, which are subsequently processed at Cilpen Global facilities for sorting, recycling, and proper disposal. Since its deployment, the Blue Barrier has successfully captured over 290,100 kilograms of waste, with 55% being plastic. Notably, more than 30,000 kilograms were removed in recent weeks alone. The initiative is part of the PROMAR project, a collaborative effort led by Parley for the Oceans in partnership with CORAASAN, INDHRI, and Cilpen Global. These organizations are continuously enhancing the system’s efficiency and expanding collection efforts. Cilpen Global stressed that the presence of waste does not signify system failure but rather highlights the alarming volume of improperly discarded materials. The company has called on citizens to adopt responsible waste disposal practices and refrain from dumping trash into rivers.