The mammoth task of mapping and removing plastic waste from Aldabra atoll

A Major Effort to Tackle Plastic Waste on Aldabra Atoll

A team from Plastic Odyssey and UNESCO embarked on a mission to assess plastic pollution at Aldabra atoll in the Indian Ocean. Their goal was to map plastic waste scattered across the remote UNESCO World Heritage site, trial removal techniques, and develop protocols for ongoing monitoring.

The project highlighted the enormous challenge presented by plastic debris accumulating even in such isolated locations. Aldabra, though pristine and protected, faces pollution threats carried by ocean currents.

Key Objectives of the Mission

UNESCO and Plastic Odyssey emphasized that this initial mission was crucial to understanding the scale of pollution and planning long-term clean-up efforts. Continuous monitoring protocols will help track changes and the effectiveness of removal actions over time.

"We need to know exactly where the plastic is and how much there is to organize an effective removal and prevent further harm," the team explained.

Plastic Odyssey’s experience in ocean pollution and UNESCO’s environmental oversight make their partnership essential for tackling this ecological threat.

This joint mission illustrates the urgent global effort required to address plastic pollution even in the most remote natural environments, protecting biodiversity and ecosystem health.

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RFI RFI — 2025-11-30

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