Since October 2022, the Plastic Odyssey expedition has been sailing across the globe with a clear mission: to raise awareness about plastic pollution and promote accessible, practical solutions. Departing from France for a three-year journey, the team recently docked in Mangareva, at the heart of the Gambier Islands—home to 60% of French Polynesia’s pearl industry.
A Troubling Reality in the Lagoon
The crew quickly witnessed the scale of plastic pollution on the island. In the turquoise waters near the pearl farm of Magali and Dominique Devaux, plastic waste accumulates. While pearl farming relies on plastic equipment—buoys, nets, and baskets—its management remains a challenge.
“Some buoys can be reused, but many are damaged and end up stored on land for months,” explains Magali Devaux, farm manager. This “temporary” storage has become a logistical nightmare.
Her husband Dominique adds: “We send our plastic waste to Tahiti’s landfill, but it’s a short-term solution—far from ecologically ideal.”
A Floating Laboratory for Solutions
Enter Plastic Odyssey. Aboard their ship-laboratory, the team demonstrates innovative recycling techniques. Collected plastics are shredded and transformed on-site into useful items: paving stones, roofing tiles, construction materials—all using low-cost, simple machines designed for local replication.
“We want to show that used plastic can become a resource, not just waste,” says Maxime Thirouin, the expedition’s recycling engineer. A message of hope for local stakeholders, especially pearl farmers.
Dominique Devaux is optimistic: “This project opens real possibilities for our industry. We need sustainable solutions tailored to our reality.”
Building a Polynesian Recycling Network
Guided by the Direction des Ressources Marines, efforts are underway to establish a Polynesian plastic upcycling system. The goal? To collect, sort, and transform plastic waste—particularly from pearl farming—while creating local jobs and economic value.
Plastic Odyssey’s stop in Mangareva marks a pivotal moment in the fight against plastic pollution in island environments. Proving that even in remote corners of the world, innovation and environmental commitment can go hand in hand.
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