Aldabra Impossible Cleanup: Saving One of the Earth’s Last Wild UNESCO Sanctuaries

In coordination with UNESCO, Plastic Odyssey sets sail on its boldest expedition yet — to fight plastic pollution and restore one of Earth’s most fragile marine sanctuaries.

Fundraising

Country:
Seychelles 🇸🇨

GPS coordinates:
9°25’07″S 46°20’38″E 📍

Estimated amount of plastic waste:
513 Tons 🧴🧃🥤

Aldabra, coral kingdom to preserve

In the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles atoll of Aldabra is one of the planet’s last virtually untouched sanctuaries, home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises, in an environment still largely untouched by man. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aldabra comprises four main coral reef islands, separated by narrow passes, surrounding a shallow lagoon fringed by dense mangroves and pristine white sand beaches.

The living ark of the indian ocean

The atoll is home to unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems: coral reefs, mangrove wetlands and a remarkable fauna, etc. More than 270 plant species, many of them endemic, as well as a high concentration of nesting seabirds.

Plastic pollution challenge

The Indian Ocean accumulates a large quantity of plastic waste, with an estimated 513 tons on Aldabra (Koldewey et al., (2020)). Microplastics, present everywhere, carry toxins and pathogenic micro-organisms, forming a potentially harmful “plastisphere” that threatens local ecosystems.

Project Timelime

In order to restore this sanctuary polluted by plastic waste and preserve biodiversity on this atoll, Plastic Odyssey is preparing a comprehensive cleanup expedition.

1

Feasibility study

January, 2025

Field analysis, budget estimation, ship preparation, funding search.

2

Survey Expedition

October, 2025

A technical team visited the island to prepare the mission: assessing logistics, testing waste-extraction methods, and mapping the 40 km of polluted coast.

3

Scientific report

December, 2026

Publication of the results of the scientific study conducted during the expedition.

4

Cleanup Expedition

2027-2028

For 30 days, 40 people will travel to the atoll to clean up and recycle plastic waste.

Required budget

  • Expedition Planning and Feasibility

  • Vessel and Transport Logistics

  • Field Operations and Mission Supplies

  • Local Training and Community Engagement

  • Media and Public Outreach

  • Science and Impact Reporting

Total budget
$ 0

Progress0%

Fundraising

Prefer to donate in EUR? Click here

Help us restore Earth’s most fragile marine sanctuaries

Where Your Gift Goes

Your donation supports RESTORE, Plastic Odyssey Fund’s program for large-scale marine cleanups.

  • Ship operations, logistics, and scientific crew
  • Field cleanups and waste characterization
  • On-board tech for recycling trials
  • Visual storytelling, outreach, and educational content

While the upcoming mission to Aldabra Atoll is a major focus, your contribution fuels the broader RESTORE program—supporting urgent cleanup and restoration efforts at some of the most plastic-polluted and biodiverse marine sanctuaries on Earth.

Plastic Odyssey Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the U.S. (Tax ID / EIN: 99-4899981). All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Why It Matters

  • Because Aldabra is more than a place — it’s a Living Ark of the Indian Ocean.
  • Because if we can protect it, we can protect so much more.
  • Because this is what hope looks like — in action.

This is not just a cleanup. It’s a chance to prove that nothing is too remote, too difficult, or too late to save. Join the Impossible Cleanup. Help us Save Aldabra — and the future of our oceans!

Our Impossible Cleanups

Discover our UNESCO missions.