Pacific Plastics Science to Solutions programme focused on mapping plastic pollution across the Galápagos Archipelago and tracing its origins back to mainland sources.

The collaborative, interdisciplinary project consisted of teams from the University of Exeter, Galápagos Conservation Trust, Materiom, and multiple partners across science and conservation sectors. Monitoring plastic pollution in the Galápagos marine reserve—tracking distribution, quantity, and ecological risk to wildlife, was an integral research pathway for the project. 

In response to the environmental threats posed by imported petrochemical plastic waste in the Galápagos, Charlene, as part of Materiom, led community workshops to develop alternative, biodegradable materials using local waste streams and biomass. Integral to the project was the development of pollution mapping; material systems mapping; system modelling; collaborative solution design systems.