Plastic Odyssey
Plastic Odyssey is a French non-profit (Marseille) operating the 40-meter M/V Plastic Odyssey laboratory ship on a 3-year global expedition to document, share, and deploy plastic-recycling and cleanup solutions, serving recycling entrepreneurs, schools, the general public, governments, and corporate partners across 30+ stopovers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersMarseille, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Plastic Odyssey does
Plastic Odyssey is a Marseille-headquartered French non-profit association (association loi 1901) and operating SAS (SAS Plastic Odyssey Expedition, registered January 2019, SIRET 84762550600013) that focuses on reducing ocean plastic pollution through a combination of cleanup, prevention, recycling technology transfer, and education. Its core asset is the M/V Plastic Odyssey, a 40-meter laboratory vessel with more than 200 m² of technical space, capacity for ~20 tons of equipment, and an onboard suite of 15+ plastic recycling technologies (shredding, extrusion, compaction, injection, sheet-press), supported by drone-based precision mapping. The organization launched a 3-year global expedition on 1 October 2022 from Marseille, visiting 30+ stopovers across Africa, South America, and Asia to document solutions and operate cleanup missions at remote sites including Henderson Island and Aldabra Atoll.
The product surface is composed of six integrated programs: Recycling Academy (free online training), OnBoard Laboratory (ship-based incubation for local entrepreneurs, with 30 sessions completed including the 30th edition in Mombasa in September 2025), Local Factories (compact micro-recycling units for deployment in developing countries, e.g., a pre-treatment container with Mautopia for Rodrigues Island in 1H 2026), Nomadic Expo (traveling solutions exhibition), Exploration School (youth education via the Code Ocean pedagogy platform), and Human-Centered Research (behavioral science). The Impossible Cleanups initiative, launched with UNESCO in October 2025, extends these capabilities to marine World Heritage Sites. The Tourn\u00e9e France 2026 (April\u2013July 2026) covers 9 French ports.
The business model is donation- and partnership-led rather than commercial: revenue streams include the \u00c9quipage des 1000 (\u20ac10/month recurring donor program with 66% French tax deduction, implying ~\u20ac3.40/month net cost), one-time donations, corporate partnerships (L'Occitane en Provence, SVR, Clarins, Cr\u00e9dit Agricole, Matmut, Fondation FORVIA), foundation grants (L'Occitane Foundation, IKEA Foundation, GIZ referenced in governance commentary), media (CANAL+ documentary series, episodes in October 2024 and February 2025), and merchandise sales through shop.plasticodyssey.org. Beneficiaries span recycling entrepreneurs, schools and youth organizations, the general public at port-of-call events, governments and heritage organizations (UNESCO, Seychelles Islands Foundation), and corporate partners seeking credible ESG affiliations.
Plastic Odyssey firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Plastic Odyssey
- Legal name
- SAS PLASTIC ODYSSEY EXPEDITION
- Website
- https://plasticodyssey.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Plastic Odyssey is a French non-profit (Marseille) operating the 40-meter M/V Plastic Odyssey laboratory ship on a 3-year global expedition to document, share, and deploy plastic-recycling and cleanup solutions, serving recycling entrepreneurs, schools, the general public, governments, and corporate partners across 30+ stopovers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Plastic Odyssey industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation and Plastic Recycling Services
- NAICS
- Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests) (THAEADAC), Expedition Cruise Lines (Polar & Remote Regions) (THAEABAD), Eco-Cruises & Small-Ship Nature Cruises (Expedition Cruising) (THAAAEAK)
Keywords
Where Plastic Odyssey is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marseille
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Plastic Odyssey business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Membership Programs: Plastic Odyssey Foundation is a non-profit association (French law 1901) habilitated to receive donations with tax deductibility benefits (66% reduction for French donors). Primary revenue comes from the Équipage des 1000 monthly donor program (€10/month) and one-time donations. Corporate partnerships provide additional funding.
- Merchandise Sales: Online shop (shop.plasticodyssey.org) selling Plastic Odyssey branded merchandise including the official book, documentary content, and other promotional items.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with companies (L'Occitane, SVR, Clarins, Credit Agricole, Matmut, Fondation FORVIA, and others) provide financial and in-kind support for the expedition and programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Équipage des 1000 Monthly Donor |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Plastic Odyssey product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Plastic Odyssey operates a 3-year global expedition aboard the M/V Plastic Odyssey, a 40-meter mobile laboratory ship, deploying and demonstrating plastic recycling technologies (shredding, extrusion, compacting) to underserved coastal communities. It delivers six integrated programs — Recycling Academy (free online training), OnBoard Laboratory (entrepreneur incubation), Local Factories (micro-factory deployment), Nomadic Expo (traveling exhibitions), Exploration School (youth education), and Human-Centered Research — alongside the UNESCO-partnered Impossible Cleanups initiative for marine World Heritage Sites.
Product overview
Plastic Odyssey operates as a multi-faceted environmental organization centered around a 3-year global expedition (2022-2025) aboard the M/V Plastic Odyssey, a 40-meter laboratory vessel. The core offering combines a physical expedition with an integrated suite of six interconnected programs: Recycling Academy (free online training), OnBoard Laboratory (ship-based entrepreneurship incubation), Local Factories (micro-factory development), Nomadic Expo (traveling exhibitions), Exploration School (educational resources), and Human-Centered Research (behavioral studies). The Impossible Cleanups initiative, in partnership with UNESCO, addresses remote marine World Heritage Sites. The organization also operates the Equipage des 1000 membership program and conducts the Tournée France 2026, a 9-city French tour. Supporting digital platforms include Code Ocean (pedagogy), Technology Platform (open-source tech documentation), and Research Program (Deviations).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- OnBoard Laboratory: Incubation program aboard the ship for recycling entrepreneurs
- Recycling Academy
- Local Factories
- Nomadic Expo
- Exploration School
- Human-Centered Research
- The Impossible Cleanups
Products and services
- Recycling Academy Free online training program that teaches the fundamentals of plastic recycling, designed for citizens and entrepreneurs wanting to learn recycling techniques.
- OnBoard Laboratory Incubation program conducted aboard the M/V Plastic Odyssey ship, hosting local recycling entrepreneurs to exchange knowledge and develop concrete solutions to combat plastic pollution during stopovers.
- Local Factories Development of micro-factories on land for recycling plastic waste locally, providing turnkey solutions for communities to process their own plastic waste.
- Nomadic Expo Traveling exhibition showcasing alternatives to plastic and solutions for reducing plastic pollution, designed to educate and raise awareness among diverse audiences.
- Exploration School Educational resources and programs designed to train the next generation of explorers on plastic pollution issues and environmental conservation.
- Human-Centered Research Social science research program focused on understanding and evolving plastic usage behaviors among populations to drive sustainable change.
- The Impossible Cleanups Joint initiative with UNESCO to restore and clean marine World Heritage Sites affected by plastic pollution, including Henderson Island and Aldabra Atoll.
- Équipage des 1000 (Crew of 1000) Regular donor program with 1,000 monthly supporters providing funding stability, offering exclusive benefits including free ship visits, shop discounts, and free access to documentary series.
- Tournée France 2026 Multi-city tour across 9 French cities from April to July 2026, featuring ship visits, Zero Plastic Village exhibitions, solution showcases, documentary screenings, and educational workshops.
Quantifiable outcome
- 9 tonnes de déchets plastiques retirés de l'île Henderson (février 2024)
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Plastic Odyssey
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Plastic Odyssey technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Plastic Odyssey partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, partner and main partner.
- CITEOmajorCITEO partnered with Plastic Odyssey for the Tournée France 2026 as a youth awareness and education partner. CITEO supports sensitization and pedagogy initiatives targeting young audiences during the 9-stop French tour.
- MautopiamajorPartner with Plastic Odyssey for deploying micro-factories. Together preparing a pre-treatment container (compaction and shredding for PET and rigid plastics) for Rodrigues Island, scheduled for first half 2026. Project boosted by IUCN's IslandPlas programme support.
- UNESCOcorePlastic Odyssey and UNESCO united forces to restore marine World Heritage Sites affected by plastic pollution. The partnership focuses on cleaning UNESCO World Heritage sites including Henderson Island and Aldabra Atoll. Aldabra expedition (October 2025) was a reconnaissance mission; future cleanup operations planned. Joint initiative 'The Impossible Cleanups' targets the most inaccessible and fragile marine sites.
- Seychelles Islands FoundationcoreLocal partner for Aldabra Atoll cleanup operations. Manages Aldabra Atoll (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and collaborates with Plastic Odyssey on reconnaissance mission and future large-scale cleanup planning.
- 1OceanpartnerLocal partner for the Aldabra Atoll expedition, supporting the mission to restore this UNESCO marine site.
- L'Occitane en Provencemain partnerMajor partner of Plastic Odyssey, supporting the expedition and mission to combat plastic pollution. Listed as principal partner on the website.
- SVR Laboratorymain partnerMajor partner of Plastic Odyssey, listed as principal partner on the website homepage.
- ClarinspartnerCorporate partner supporting Plastic Odyssey's mission.
- Crédit AgricolepartnerCorporate partner supporting Plastic Odyssey's mission. Also involved in PO Lab entrepreneur events in Paris.
- MatmutpartnerOfficial partner of Plastic Odyssey. Matmut's CSR commitment includes supporting innovative environmental projects. Described the project as 'innovative, sustainable, and resolutely human-oriented.'
- Fondation FORVIApartnerCorporate partner supporting Plastic Odyssey.
- Après-DemainpartnerMedia partner supporting Plastic Odyssey's communication.
- RemovallpartnerTechnology partner providing solutions for Plastic Odyssey.
- RodCleanpartnerLocal organization on Rodrigues Island developing separate collection points for cardboard, paper, aluminium and plastic for over 10 years. Plastic Odyssey partnered with RodClean for micro-factory location identification.
- Ulysse NardinpartnerOfficial timekeeper of the expedition. Listed as chronométreur officiel on the expedition stopovers page.
- CANAL+majorMedia partner producing documentary series about Plastic Odyssey expedition. Documentary episodes released October 2024 and February 2025 through CANAL+DOCS.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Plastic Odyssey competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Established marine conservation non-profit operating multiple vessels for direct-action campaigns at sea. Comparable in deploying purpose-built ships for marine conservation, but its mandate is broader (anti-poaching, anti-whaling) rather than plastic-specific.
- Surfrider Foundation: Global non-profit focused on ocean protection, beach cleanup, and plastic-pollution advocacy with a strong volunteer network. Comparable awareness/advocacy arm and donor-driven funding model, though it operates without a central vessel.
- WWF (Marine Program): Global conservation non-profit with marine plastic pollution programs and partnerships with corporations and governments. Comparable high-credibility, institutional partner model — particularly relevant for UNESCO-adjacent marine World Heritage work.
Direct peers
- 4ocean: For-purpose ocean cleanup company that funds coastal and ocean plastic removal through a branded merchandise and subscription model. Comparable in linking consumer/donor revenue to ongoing cleanup operations, though it operates fixed crews rather than an expedition vessel.
- The Ocean Cleanup: Non-profit focused on removing ocean plastic pollution, deploying large-scale cleanup systems in rivers and oceans. Directly comparable mission and vessel/system-based deployment approach to ocean plastic remediation, though The Ocean Cleanup is more engineering-heavy and US/EU-based.
- The Flipflopi Project: Kenyan non-profit building boats from recycled plastic and campaigning against single-use plastics in East Africa. Mentioned as a Plastic Odyssey partner; directly comparable grassroots plastic-to-product mission and African footprint.
- Ocean Sole: Kenyan social enterprise upcycling flip-flop beach waste into sculptures and products, explicitly named as a Plastic Odyssey OnBoard Laboratory partner. Comparable ocean-plastic upcycling mission and entrepreneur-support model in East Africa.
Emerging players
- Plastic Bank: Social enterprise that operates plastic collection and recycling networks in developing countries, paying collectors and producing Social Plastic credits. Comparable grassroots recycling-in-the-Global-South model, but with a for-profit, fintech-enabled structure that competes for similar partners and entrepreneurs.
- Dandora Green: Material Recovery Facility operator at East Africa's largest dumpsite in Nairobi, processing 40 tons/month, named as a Plastic Odyssey partner. Comparable local MRF operator in a developing-country context.
- Baus Taka Enterprise: Kenyan woman-led waste collection startup using a mobile app (2,100+ users, 10 tons/month in Mombasa), explicitly named as a Plastic Odyssey entrepreneur partner. Comparable grassroots plastic-collection entrepreneur model in East Africa.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Plastic Odyssey social profiles
Digital presencePlastic Odyssey financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Plastic Odyssey leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Plastic Odyssey funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Plastic Odyssey M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Plastic Odyssey
What does Plastic Odyssey do?
Plastic Odyssey operates a 3-year global expedition aboard the M/V Plastic Odyssey, a 40-meter mobile laboratory ship, deploying and demonstrating plastic recycling technologies (shredding, extrusion, compacting) to underserved coastal communities. It delivers six integrated programs — Recycling Academy (free online training), OnBoard Laboratory (entrepreneur incubation), Local Factories (micro-factory deployment), Nomadic Expo (traveling exhibitions), Exploration School (youth education), and Human-Centered Research — alongside the UNESCO-partnered Impossible Cleanups initiative for marine World Heritage Sites.
Is Plastic Odyssey a public or private company?
Plastic Odyssey is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Plastic Odyssey founded?
Plastic Odyssey was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Plastic Odyssey based?
Plastic Odyssey is headquartered in Marseille, France, in the Europe region.
How does Plastic Odyssey make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Membership Programs are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales and corporate Partnerships.
Who are Plastic Odyssey's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Surfrider Foundation and WWF (Marine Program). Direct peers are 4ocean, The Ocean Cleanup, The Flipflopi Project and Ocean Sole. Emerging players are Plastic Bank, Dandora Green and Baus Taka Enterprise.
Does Plastic Odyssey have an API?
No public API is recorded for Plastic Odyssey.
What industry is Plastic Odyssey in?
Plastic Odyssey's product category is Marine Conservation and Plastic Recycling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAIAH, Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks), with a secondary code of THAEADAC, Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests). Its NAICS code is 48721 and its SIC code is 4400.