The Plastic Innovation Tradeshow and Demo Day

The Plastic Innovation Tradeshow and Demo Day reached its successful conclusion on the 14th of September, marking a pivotal day in the journey of the Island Climate Initiative

ICI launched the Plastic Innovation Challenge last May with funding and advisory support from the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program and in collaboration with the National Innovation Agency Sri Lanka (NIA), John Keells X (JKX) and MAS Foundation for Change.

The core objective of this challenge was to discover and offer guidance to exceptional innovators whose ideas and inventions have the potential to address the pressing issue of single-use plastic in Sri Lanka

From a pool of over 100 applicants, 7 innovators were carefully chosen for the 6-week incubation program followed by a 4-week pitch training program.

On the demo day, the innovators successfully presented and showcased their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to an enthusiastic and packed audience, demonstrating the strong support for this initiative.

The Plastic Innovation Tradeshow showcased companies offering innovative solutions for plastic waste issues, alternatives to single-use plastics, and founders supporting sustainable lifestyle choices

The event concluded with a panel discussion on 'Reducing, recycling, and repurposing plastics: Opportunities and challenges in the journey from innovation to commercialization’, which shed light on many challenges faced by innovators and discussed viable pathways for progress in the fight against plastic waste.

We express our gratitude to all those who stood by our side throughout this journey, it would not have been possible without you. We trust that you will continue to lend your support as we remain committed to combating the plastic crisis

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Plastic Innovation Challenge is a program organized by The Island Climate Initiative (ICI) with funding and advisory support from the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program and in collaboration with the National Innovation Agency Sri Lanka (NIA), John Keells X (JKX) and MAS Foundation for Change.