Plastic Odyssey Arrives in Costa Rica: A Global Expedition Against Plastic Pollution
The Plastic Odyssey expedition, with crucial support from L’Occitane in collaboration with the Embassy of France, UNDP, and The Clean Wave Foundation, has reached Costa Rica. Led by Plastic Odyssey, this global initiative aims to address plastic pollution at its source—on land—through awareness, recycling, and waste reduction. As the primary sponsor, L’Occitane is committed to using 100% recycled plastic in all its bottles and providing recycling services in its stores by 2025.
Strategic Collaboration with the Embassy of France
The stop in Costa Rica has been made possible through collaboration with the Embassy of France, UNDP, and The Clean Wave Foundation.
Alexandra Bellayer-Roille, the French ambassador to Costa Rica, emphasized, “Plastic Odyssey’s visit is very valuable and timely. For France, it is essential to fight for the preservation of the ocean and, in particular, to combat plastic pollution, which unfortunately is already present in our environment, coasts, and seas. This visit is part of the close relationship between Costa Rica and France, co-organizers of the upcoming UN Ocean Summit (in Nice in 2025), where one of the top priorities is precisely the fight against plastic pollution.”
Support from L'Occitane
L’Occitane, Plastic Odyssey’s main partner, supports the expedition aimed at addressing pollution at its source: the land. The brand commits to using 100% recycled plastic in all its bottles and offers recycling services in its stores by the year 2025.
L'Occitane's Commitment to Sustainability:
L’Occitane, a pioneer in ecological initiatives, introduced its first eco-refills in 2008 and has been implementing bulk sources since 2019. The company uses TerraCycle® to collect non-recyclable waste, showcasing its commitment to sustainability.
Plastic Odyssey's Mission
Plastic Odyssey seeks to act on land to prevent waste from reaching the ocean, focusing on recycling and waste reduction. Their vision is to identify innovative and replicable solutions, turning waste into valuable opportunities and developing sustainable economic models.
Challenges of Plastic Pollution
Plastic Odyssey highlights the urgency of addressing plastic pollution on land before waste reaches the ocean. Every minute, 20 tons of plastic enter the ocean, and 90% of marine pollution comes from coastal cities.
Key Actions Proposed by Plastic Odyssey
- Recycle and Recover: Recycling half of the plastic waste in the 32 most polluted countries would prevent over 45% of ocean pollution.
- Reduce: Reducing daily waste production to 1.7 kg per person would prevent 26% of ocean pollution.
Plastic Odyssey Initiatives
- Exploration in Affected Areas: Plastic Odyssey conducts exploration missions to discover and share innovative solutions against plastic pollution in 3 continents and 30 cities.
- Treasure Chests: Cultural exhibitions to raise awareness about the impact of plastic and showcase proven solutions.
Onboard Incubation Program: Support for local recycling entrepreneurs to develop concrete solutions through an onboard recycling workshop.
Educational and Training Commitment
Plastic Odyssey provides mediation tools and a free online training program, the Recycling Academy, to empower future recyclers.
With Plastic Odyssey’s arrival in Costa Rica, the country joins the global fight against plastic pollution, adopting innovative solutions and committing to a sustainable future. Join the movement to clean the past and build a plastic pollution-free future!
