Mathilda D'Silva on converting pollution to solutions

Mathilda D'Silva, CEO & Founder of Ocean Purpose Project, would like to solve the plastic problem through circularity not recycling.

With Asia being responsible for 80% of the world’s oceanic plastic waste, Mathilda believes we need to take ownership and create a solution that doesn’t just combat the problem but ends it.

Ocean Purpose Project has successfully prototyped technology that turns contaminated and non-recyclable plastics into hydrogen fuel, promoting circularity and lowering our reliance on fossil fuels. This unique modular technology turns plastic waste from communities into their own supplementary fuel, helping to scale the solution wherever plastic is generated. For example, plastic waste generated by a vessel at sea could fuel its journey home. Her organisation also creates bio-fertilisers and uses seaweed and mussels to absorb chemicals at sea.

Mathilda, Rajeev and Teymoor candidly discuss the plastic landscape, faux solutions and the drawbacks to this undertaking.

The technical and collaborative efforts required to fuel this ambitious initiative are significant, requiring multimillion-dollar investment and 15+ partners ranging from manufacturers, researchers and academics. Mathilda’s personal connection to the issue, and her determination to create sustainable, circular solutions, shines through as she calls for support in building infrastructure and securing funding to scale this transformative project.

Tune in to learn how innovation, collaboration, and a profit-driven circular economy can turn ocean pollution into a powerful resource for the future.

This project won the Steward Leadership 25 2024 award, which recognises financially viable solutions for the environment and society.