Emich Kia Celebrates Kia’s Commitment to Environmental Change

At Emich Kia in Denver, we’re proud to share some exciting news that speaks directly to the heart of Kia’s values: sustainability, innovation, and global impact. Kia has officially been named Sustainability Disruptor of the Year at the 2025 Newsweek Auto Disruptor Awards—an honor that reflects its bold efforts to help solve one of our planet’s most urgent problems: ocean plastic pollution.

Three Years of Impact with The Ocean Cleanup

Since 2022, Kia has been a key global partner of The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing plastic waste from the world’s oceans. Over the course of three years, Kia’s support has helped remove more than one million pounds of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch—an area three times the size of France between Hawaii and the west coast of the U.S.

Through this partnership, Kia has gone beyond financial contributions. The brand has provided technical know-how, mobility and research support, and played a critical role in developing a circular resource system that turns recovered plastic waste into usable materials—many of which are already being incorporated into Kia vehicle accessories.

Driving Real Change in Sustainability

Kia’s recognition as a sustainability leader is more than just an award—it's a confirmation that innovation can and should be used for good. With this milestone, Kia is helping to redefine what it means to be a modern automaker by integrating purpose-driven solutions into every level of its business.

Executive Vice President Charles Ryu summed it up best:

“This collaboration continues to drive scalable and lasting solutions for cleaner waterways, reinforcing Kia’s commitment to sustainability while strengthening our presence across The Ocean Cleanup’s growing global footprint.”

What’s Next? From Oceans to Rivers

Looking ahead, Kia and The Ocean Cleanup plan to expand their work by tackling plastic pollution at its source—rivers. By addressing waste before it even reaches the ocean, the partnership is poised to make an even greater impact in the years to come.

Julian Searle, Chief Development Officer at The Ocean Cleanup, emphasized the importance of collaboration:

“By working closely with Kia, we can make significant progress toward achieving our mission and contributing to the restoration of ocean health for people and the planet.”

A Better Future, One Step at a Time

At Emich Kia, we’re inspired by this commitment to protecting the planet and proud to offer vehicles backed by a brand that values sustainability as much as innovation. From EVs like the Kia EV9 and EV6 to forward-thinking partnerships like this one, Kia is leading the way toward a cleaner, more responsible future.

Explore our Kia lineup today and be part of the change.