The project drives innovation in ocean conservation and plastic waste management through three key pillars—Plastic to Fuel, Bioremediation and Bioplastics and Behavior Change.
Environmental challenge
Plastic pollution, chemical contamination and harmful algal blooms threaten global marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Ocean Purpose Project (OPP) is dedicated to solving these issues through innovative projects based in Pasir Ris Beach, Singapore. By converting ocean plastics into hydrogen and using seaweed for bioremediation, OPP addresses ocean pollution at its core while mobilising communities through educational initiatives and behavioural change programmes.
Purpose and strategy
Ocean Purpose Project's mission is clear: turning pollution into solutions for a sustainable future. Through its three key pillars—Plastic to Fuel, Bioremediation and Bioplastics and Behavior Change—OPP drives innovation in ocean conservation and plastic waste management. The organisation’s flagship initiative, Plastic to Fuel, transforms marine waste into sustainable hydrogen fuel, while bioremediation projects use seaweed to filter water and prevent harmful algal blooms. OPP’s community engagement initiatives further amplify their impact, mobilising local and global volunteers through beach clean-ups and educational programmes.
OPP’s values of innovation, community engagement, integrity and collaboration guide the project’s growth, fostering partnerships across sectors to address complex environmental challenges while benefiting coastal communities.
Impact and innovation
Ocean Purpose Project has made significant strides in addressing ocean pollution and fostering environmental stewardship.
The Plastic to Fuel initiative has recycled 352.70 kg of marine plastic waste into hydrogen fuel, representing an SGD 9 million (USD 7 million) investment projected to generate SGD 10.33 million annually.
This circular economy model not only tackles ocean plastic but also provides a sustainable energy source, earning OPP recognition as a ClimateLaunchPad Global Grant Finalist in 2020. OPP’s bioremediation projects involve planting 380 seaweed mussel lines to combat harmful algal blooms, improving water quality around fish farms and yielding 3,200 kg of seaweed-based fertiliser. Community engagement is central to these efforts, with over 127 volunteers mobilised for beach clean-ups and 2,580 participants in global online webinars. Through collaborations with universities, NGOs and corporate partners like Fairprice and Aderco, OPP has expanded its reach, making a tangible impact on both the environment and the livelihoods of local communities.
Future outlook
Ocean Purpose Project has ambitious plans for the future. In the short term, the organisation will optimise the Plastic-to-Fuel unit and expand its bioremediation efforts to protect Singapore’s fish farms. OPP also plans to enhance community involvement through educational workshops and outreach programmes.
Looking further ahead, OPP aims to replicate its successful models globally, establishing more Plastic-to-Fuel units in polluted coastal communities and expanding its bioremediation projects to benefit small-scale fish farmers worldwide. The OPP Herb Garden concept, already successful in Singapore, will also be expanded to promote community health and environmental stewardship. With a clear vision for scaling their impact, Ocean Purpose Project is poised to make a lasting contribution to ocean conservation and community development, both locally and internationally.
Ocean Purpose Project is a Singapore-based social enterprise dedicated to turning pollution into solutions through innovation, community engagement, and sustainable practices. Founded by Mathilda D’silva, the organisation leads the way in plastic pollution prevention and ocean conservation, striving for a future where the ocean is free from pollution and coastal communities thrive.
