River Ocean Cleanup Organization

Summary of Innovation 

The River Ocean Clean Up Organization (ROC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to tackling marine plastic pollution in Cambodia's waterways, focusing on the Mekong, Tonlé Sap, and Bassac rivers. Their innovative Marine Plastic Action Center (MPAC) integrates waste management with community-driven cleanup efforts. The MPAC collects, sorts, and processes plastic waste, turning recyclable materials into new products and co-processing non-recyclable waste. By training locals as Marine Plastic Busters (MPBs), ROC creates employment opportunities while promoting environmental stewardship. With a current capacity to process 10-15 tons of waste monthly, ROC aims to expand to 60 tons through scaling efforts. Funding will support MPAC construction, staff training, partnerships for waste processing, and community engagement activities.

In the next six months, ROC will establish its first MPAC facility in Phnom Penh, train personnel to support ongoing cleanup operations and improve waste management in three heavily affected fishing communities along Cambodia’s major rivers. Over the next two years, ROC plans to scale up the MPAC initiative across vulnerable coastal and riverine areas, making it a recognized model for combating marine plastic pollution in Cambodia. The income from plastic credits will help sustain and expand MPAC's impact, ensuring the long-term health of the country’s rivers and oceans.