Plastic Odyssey prepares large-scale plastic pollution cleanup in Gabon's Loango National Park
Plastic Odyssey is conducting a reconnaissance mission in Gabon's Loango National Park, which began in mid-August 2026, to prepare for a major plastic pollution cleanup operation planned for 2027-2028. An team of four members is surveying over 80 kilometers of coastline to assess the extent of plastic waste. This mission involves aerial mapping by drone, waste identification, and studying conditions for the future cleanup. The initiative is a collaboration with UNESCO, the National Agency for National Parks ANPN, the Wildlife Conservation Society WCS, and the Gabonese association La L茅gion Bleue. Loango National Park, located about 300 kilometers south of Libreville, covers 155,000 hectares and is known for its rich biodiversity, including elephants, hippos, and gorillas. Despite its ecological value and its inclusion on UNESCO's indicative list for World Heritage since 2022, the park's beaches are affected by plastic waste carried by rivers and ocean currents. This reconnaissance is a preparatory step to determine the human, logistical, and technical resources needed for the future intervention. Plastic Odyssey's new strategy, launched in 2026, focuses on targeted cleanup operations in vulnerable natural sanctuaries. The organization is also developing a new sailing cargo ship, envisioned for construction around 2029, capable of transporting up to 250 tons of waste from isolated natural areas, which would enable large-scale cleanup operations in remote territories.
