CAP01: PLASTIC2PURPOSE - Turn Waste into Insight & Opportunity

Islands are drowning in plastic — but what if that plastic could tell a story and power a solution?

Your mission: turn messy plastic pollution into clean insights and useful opportunities. Where's the plastic coming from? Where's it going? What happens if we do nothing — and what could happen if we do something smart?

Using the provided ISLANDPLAS data, your team will map plastic hotspots, predict future leaks, and uncover hidden patterns. But it doesn’t stop there. Think beyond the map: how can this information unlock new uses for the plastic? Can it become a product, a service, or even fuel a community-powered solution?

The ultimate goal is to translate data into actionable insights and a tangible, sustainable business concept to combat plastic leakage, primarily for local governments, NGOs, and businesses on the chosen island.

 

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To respond to a major social or environmental problem
To explore an innovative idea using marine data

The ambition is to deliver a compelling proof-of-concept that addresses the challenge, focusing on clarity, data-driven insights, and a viable business idea. This includes:

- A simple, clear tool or dashboard (prototype) that visualizes plastic flow: where it’s coming from, where it’s ending up, and what risks or opportunities exist in different areas. The emphasis is on demonstrating the visualization concept, not a fully robust application.

- A conceptual model or method to predict plastic leakage hotspots or movement using environmental and human activity data — wind, tides, land use, and more. This should outline the approach and demonstrate its logic, rather than requiring a fully trained or complex AI model.

- A practical business concept based on the data (well-defined idea with a basic viability plan) that links existing initiatives with data-driven leakage reduction: This could be a system that identifies existing local businesses or community initiatives (e.g., waste collectors, upcyclers, local manufacturers) and proposes how to integrate them with the plastic leakage data to optimize their impact. Show how it works, who benefits, and how money is made, focusing on the core mechanics and revenue streams.

- A clear action layer built into your tool (conceptual or simplified prototype): For example: automated recommendations on when and where to deploy cleanup teams, where to install bins or barriers, or which plastic types to target for reuse or resale. The goal: help users act on the data, not just admire it, even if the "automation" is demonstrated through a mock-up or clear explanation.

Teams should aim for proof-of-concept or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for each outcome rather than fully polished, production-ready solutions. The evaluation will focus on the strength of the idea, the demonstrated use of data, and the potential viability of the business concept. It's about showcasing the potential and feasibility of the solution. Prioritization is Key: Teams are strongly encouraged to prioritize their efforts. It is more valuable to deliver one or two outcomes exceptionally well (e.g., a highly insightful dashboard with a strong business concept) and provide a clear conceptual outline for the others, rather than attempting to deliver all four outcomes superficially. Quality over quantity will be the way to go!

Anyone would be able to join this challenge! Especially creative thinkers who can join the dots/think outside the box.