Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is bringing together environmental entrepreneurs from across the Indo-Pacific region to showcase pioneering solutions aimed at tackling plastic waste.
In a “Demo Day” event, CSIRO’s Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN) Accelerator+ Program highlights the innovative strategies of over 20 international teams dedicated to transforming the lifecycle of plastics.
Data reported by CSIRO noted that since the 1970s, plastic production has surged faster than any other material, and currently, around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated each year.
This issue impacts waterways and oceans worldwide, with an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic now littering the ocean floor.
The IPPIN program is hosting Demo Days across Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok, providing a platform for these teams to present sustainable solutions that range from advanced waste management systems to methods for repurposing single-use plastics.
In doing so, CSIRO aims to support scalable solutions that address the regional and global plastic pollution crisis.
Kirsten Rose, CSIRO’s deputy chief executive, underscored the importance of global collaboration in tackling such pressing challenges.
“Plastic pollution is a global crisis that knows no borders, and we cannot tackle it alone,” she stated.
“Collaborating with our neighbours is crucial for advancing technology and business innovation, enabling us to weather economic uncertainty. By working together across borders, we can create a more resilient, healthier, and prosperous region.”
Key innovations on display include initiatives designed to empower communities most affected by plastic pollution, as well as novel technologies for managing waste and producing eco-friendly packaging.
According to Andrea Sosa Pintos, IPPIN Senior Program Manager, CSIRO’s Accelerator+ Program enables environmentally focused solutions to scale rapidly, positioning Australia as a regional leader in combatting plastic pollution.
“By 2040, global plastic use is estimated to double. Australia’s commitment to the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, as part of the negotiations for a UN treaty to end plastic pollution, firmly highlights our role in tackling plastic pollution,” Sosa Pintos said.
To date, IPPIN has engaged over 3,000 participants in program activities and supported 130 entrepreneurial teams globally, helping to scale sustainable technologies to address plastic waste.
This support has fostered notable successes, such as Greenhope, an IPPIN-supported startup that has introduced cassava-starch-based biodegradable packaging.
Since its inception, Greenhope has replaced 12 billion conventional plastic items with biodegradable alternatives, benefiting 179 cassava farmers in Indonesia.
