Plastic Odyssey: Tackling Plastic Pollution through Innovation
21 November 2024

Philippines

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) organized a hybrid webinar, Plastic Odyssey: Tackling Plastic Pollution Through Innovation, on 21 November 2024, from 2:00–3:30 p.m. at Learning Resource Center 1, ADB Headquarters. The event featured Simon Bernard, CEO of Plastic Odyssey, and was coordinated by ADB’s Climate Change, Resilience, and Environment Cluster in collaboration with the Philippine Country Office. The session highlighted Plastic Odyssey’s global mission to combat plastic pollution through its 40-meter expedition ship—a mobile laboratory promoting sustainable, community-driven recycling solutions worldwide.

The Plastic Odyssey expedition ship was docked at the Port of Manila from 18–28 November. Several activities were held, including the launch of Asia’s first containerized Micro-Factories in Manila and Cebu on 27 November 2024. These small-scale recycling units aimed to empower communities by transforming plastic waste into valuable resources, fostering local entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

Program and Learning Materials
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
2:00–2:05 p.m. Introduction Alain Morel, Country Operations Head, Philippine Country Office, ADB
2:05–2:10 p.m. Welcome Remarks Pavit Ramachandran, Country Director, Philippine Country Office, ADB
2:10–2:25 p.m. Philippine Country Office Project Video
2:25–2:45 p.m. Presentation: Plastic Odyssey: Tackling Plastic Pollution through Innovation
This presentation gives an overview of the issue of ocean pollution caused by plastic waste, as well as initiatives and projects aimed at addressing…
Simon Bernard
2:45–2:47 p.m. Plastic Odyssey Project Video
2:45–3:05 p.m. Questions and Answers/Panel Discussion
3:05–3:10 p.m. ADB's Circular Economy Project Video
3:10-3:15 p.m. Closing Remarks James Baker, Senior Circular Economy Specialist, ADB

Disclaimer

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Event Coordinator/s

  • James Baker
  • Alain Morel

ADB Organizer/s

  • Southeast Asia Department
  • Climate Change, Resilience, and Environment Cluster
  • Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department

Partner Organization/s

Topics

  • Environment
  • Climate Change