Insee Ecocycle and MAS Foundation for Change combine forces to combat ocean plastic pollution

Insee Ecocycle, the pioneer in sustainable waste management solutions in Sri Lanka and the MAS Foundation for Change, have announce their collaboration to address the issue of plastic pollution.

Together, these organisations have joined forces with local Government authorities in Galle, to set up an innovative Ocean Strainer in the Moragoda Canal, to capture and collect marine waste and plastic debris and prevent further pollution along Sri Lanka’s coastal belt. An Ocean Strainer is a simple, innovative, cost-effective, trash trap solution designed by MAS, that floats across the breadth of a canal and traps plastic waste before it reaches the ocean.

Insee’s engagement does not end there. The waste captured in the Ocean Strainer will be included in the Galle Municipal Council waste collection channels. Non-recyclable material will be diverted back to Insee for its unique co-processing method, carried out within the cement kilns, through which waste is decomposed fully without harmful emissions. In stark contrast to conventional landfill or incineration methods, co-processing ensures waste is converted into valuable resources, minimising environmental impact.

“Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of our time, posing a significant threat to marine life, ecosystems, and human well-being. We are excited to partner with the MAS Foundation for Change on this critical endeavour,” said Insee Ecocycle Lanka Ltd. General Manager Sujith Gunawardhana. 

“By combining our strengths and resources, we can make a tangible difference in combatting plastic pollution and safeguarding Sri Lanka’s precious water bodies. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to sustainable practices and underscores our responsibility as industry leaders.”

With over two decades of expertise, Insee Ecocycle has emerged as a game changer in waste disposal, waste recovery, and overall waste management solutions in Sri Lanka. The project is spearheaded by the MAS Foundation for Change, an independent non-profit organisation aimed at tackling the social and environmental challenges faced due to biodiversity loss, ocean pollution, and lack of access to clean water. 

Adopting the Ocean Strainer initiative from MAS Holdings in 2022, the MAS Foundation for Change has since expanded the initiative to install a total of 30 Ocean Strainers up to date. These have been strategically placed in the tributaries and canals that lead to rivers with the highest levels of pollution in the country. 

Through this collaboration, Insee Ecocycle and the MAS Foundation for Change aim to inspire other organisations, governments, and individuals to take action against plastic pollution. “We firmly believe in the power of collective action and the need to create unique solutions to combat plastic pollution. Our operational model is based on leveraging partnerships with innovators, program implementers, innovators, and donors,” says MAS Foundation for Change Director Sharika Senanayake. “By working together with partners like Insee, we can make our contribution towards addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges that the world faces today.”