What is the Plastic Fantastic Hackathon

The Plastic Fantastic Hackathon is an online innovation challenge where teams come together to design actionable solutions for the detection, collection, prevention, and valorisation of marine litter.

The Hackathon is part of the PHAROS, an EU-funded project which aims to provide nature-based solutions for restoring ecosystems and biodiversity while addressing climate change and human impacts in the Atlantic and Arctic maritime regions.

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The Challenge

Together we design and develop solutions to pollution!

The contamination of oceans, seas, and coastal ecosystems by plastics, chemicals, waste, and other human-derived debris was threatening ecosystems and biodiversity, human health, and the sustainability of marine resources. We were seeking solutions that addressed this challenge through:

Detection and monitoring

Methods and tools to identify, track, and assess marine litter sources, distribution, and impacts.

Collection and Valorisation

Efficient systems to remove marine litter and transform recovered materials into valuable resources through reuse, recycling, or upcycling.

Reduction and Prevention

Strategies, products, and policies that prevent marine litter at its source and reduce its generation across value chains.

WHO PARTICIPATED?

Everyone with ideas, motivation, or projects to protect our oceans was welcome to join during the application process that was open until 27 April 2026! Citizens, students, startups, young professionals, associations, NGOs, and early-stage companies joined us during this process, and we welcomed 20 teams that were ready to pitch on 13 May. Only 12 were selected for the final Hackathon Pitch, and among them only four were rewarded (two per track).

Two different tracks:

TRACK A – IDEA STAGE

Individuals or teams with early-stage concepts who want to refine, develop, and structure their solution.

TRACK B – EMERGING ORGANISATIONS*

Recently established companies or small non-profit organisations looking to strengthen, scale, or further develop their existing solution.

*Only for profit-organisations with less than 5 years and non-for-profit organisations with less than 5FTEs can participate.

FOUR WINNING TEAMS

TRACK A – Emerging Innovators

First Place (€3,000):
C-Quest Blue (Ireland)

Ireland’s entry turned heads with high chemistry: converting mixed coastal plastics into recycled carbon feedstock using a bio‑derived catalyst made from plant extracts. The process supports biodiversity recovery, waste valorisation and circular bioeconomy solutions without requiring plastic pre-processing. The jury praised its elegant, low‑energy chemistry and noted that “by removing the need for pre‑sorting or washing, C-Quest Blue could unlock value from previously unrecyclable coastal plastics.”

Second Place (€1,000):
Taka Point (Kenya)

Kenya’s Taka Point took runner‑up honours with an IoT‑enabled smart bin system that gamifies recycling in schools, malls and events. Users earn points for recycling bottles, while organisations track environmental impact in real time. The judges called it “a clever fusion of behavioural economics and digital monitoring, turning waste disposal into a reward‑driven habit for the next generation.”

TRACK B – Scaling Ventures

First Place (€4,000): EvoNatura (United States)

An American biotech firm won the top prize in the mature track with an additive that gives conventional plastics a ‘programmed death’ in soil (and is currently working on an ocean‑deployable solution). Compatible with existing production lines, EvoNatura’s additive maintains performance while enabling full biodegradation in real conditions such as soil and compost. The jury noted its immediate scalability, regulatory readiness and the potential to retrofit global supply chains without retooling.

Second Place (€2,000): Progreen (Kenya)

Kenya’s ProGreen secured second place by turning plastic waste into circular fuels and eco‑bricks. Recyclable plastics become certified industrial fuels, while laminates are transformed into bricks for local construction. The solution prevents waste from reaching dumpsites and oceans. The judges commended its dual‑revenue model and direct impact on both energy poverty and marine litter, calling it “a pragmatic, shovel‑ready answer to East Africa’s plastic crisis.”

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WHAT THE SELECTED TEAMS WON?

Four winning teams (two per track) won:

10,000 in cash prizes

Track A: €3,000 (1st place) and €1,000 (2nd place)
Track B: €4,000 (1st place) and €2,000 (2nd place)

Three-month acceleration

Bring your idea to the next level with a curated capacity-building programme delivered by Impact Hub Athens.

Networking

Access a network of business and technical experts in blue economy and marine ecology

HACKATHON NEWS

Plastic Fantastic Hackathon Finals Report

Plastic Fantastic Hackathon Finals Report https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Hackathon-Header-1-1024x576.png 1024 576 PHAROS Project PHAROS Project https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Hackathon-Header-1-1024x576.png May 20, 2026 June 1, 2026

May 20, 2026

The Plastic Fantastic Hackathon finale has successfully ended, marking the close of an eight‑day online innovation sprint that drew innovators from four continents. Organised by Impact Hub Athens under the EU‑funded PHAROS project, the challenge brought together teams to design actionable solutions for the detection, collection, prevention and valorisation of marine litter. The competition kicked off on 11 May with a three‑day bootcamp, then…

From Trash to Triumph: PHAROS Hackathon Awards €10,000 to Innovators Tackling the Marine Litter Crisis

From Trash to Triumph: PHAROS Hackathon Awards €10,000 to Innovators Tackling the Marine Litter Crisis https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-Winners-Template-1024x597.png 1024 597 PHAROS Project PHAROS Project https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-Winners-Template-1024x597.png May 20, 2026 June 1, 2026

May 20, 2026

After an eight-day sprint that drew innovators from four continents, the Pharos Plastic Fantastic Hackathon crowned its winners on 19 May, awarding €10,000 in cash prizes and a three-month acceleration programme to four teams with bold, actionable solutions to the world’s marine litter crisis.

Pharos Plastic Fantastic Hackathon: BootCamp Report

Pharos Plastic Fantastic Hackathon: BootCamp Report https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Hackathon-Header-1-1024x576.png 1024 576 PHAROS Project PHAROS Project https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Hackathon-Header-1-1024x576.png May 15, 2026 June 1, 2026

May 15, 2026

Organised by Impact Hub Athens under the EU‑funded PHAROS project, the online challenge kicked off on 11 May with a three‑day bootcamp, then surged into two final hackathon days on 18 and 19 May, where 12 hand‑picked finalists pitched their visions to a jury of blue‑economy experts.

From Shrimp Shells to Smart Bins: 12 Innovators Qualify for ‘Plastic Fantastic’ Hackathon Finals

From Shrimp Shells to Smart Bins: 12 Innovators Qualify for ‘Plastic Fantastic’ Hackathon Finals https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Hackathon-Header-1-1024x576.png 1024 576 PHAROS Project PHAROS Project https://pharosproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Hackathon-Header-1-1024x576.png May 15, 2026 May 19, 2026

May 15, 2026

From shrimp-shell foil to AI ghost-net hunters: 12 global innovators qualify for the Plastic Fantastic Hackathon finals. The future of our seas starts 19 May.