The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) held the national IslandPlas inception workshop on 24 April 2025 in Ébène, Mauritius. This gathering brought together key local stakeholders to address the escalating issue of plastic packaging waste and its environmental impact, while exploring innovative solutions to enhance plastic waste management on the island.
Supported by a US$10 million grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, the IslandPlas project is designed to reduce plastic waste in seven African islands: Mauritius, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Madagascar, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, and Zanzibar. The project’s core mission is to empower local communities, stimulate innovation, and improve the collection and recycling of plastic packaging waste.
The workshop featured opening remarks by Mr. Peter Manyara from IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO). A keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Doolaree Boodhun, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change in Mauritius, who stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to combat the plastic waste crisis.
Stakeholders from government ministries, academia, civil society, and the private sector engaged in dynamic discussions on Mauritius’ plastic waste management landscape. These dialogues highlighted the need for coordinated cross-sector approaches to create a more sustainable future. Breakout sessions further enabled participants to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of transitioning towards a circular plastic economy, with particular focus on promoting local entrepreneurship and job creation through innovation in plastic repurposing.
Launched in 2024, the IslandPlas project aims to directly improve the livelihoods of approximately 9,600 individuals working in the informal waste sector. Over the course of the project, 14,000 tonnes of plastic waste are expected to be collected, with around 5,600 tonnes to be recycled. Additionally, the initiative targets economic stimulation by mobilising US$2 million in capital investment to support innovation and enterprise development in the waste management sector.
The project’s ambition to curb plastic pollution in oceans aligns with the Ministerial Declaration adopted during the Ministerial Conference on the Blue and Circular Economy in the Island States of Africa and the Indian Ocean in September 2023.
“Through IslandPlas, IUCN is proud to support the Republic of Mauritius in building resilient, circular economies. This workshop marked an important milestone in aligning national priorities with regional action to address plastic waste. The active participation of government, civil society, communities, and private sector stakeholders signals strong momentum for inclusive, innovative solutions,” said Mrs Melany Poorun-Sooprayen, Project Manager for IslandPlas (Mauritius) at IUCN ESARO.
About the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
The IUCN is a membership union that brings together governments and civil society organisations. Established in 1948, it is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, comprising over 1,400 member organisations and nearly 17,000 experts. IUCN provides scientific data, policy recommendations, and on-the-ground solutions that enable human development and nature conservation to work hand in hand.
Acting as a neutral platform, IUCN brings together stakeholders from across the environmental spectrum — including NGOs, businesses, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities — to collaborate on sustainable solutions. Through a broad portfolio of global projects, IUCN combines cutting-edge science with traditional ecological knowledge to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems, and improve quality of life.
