Pasig River Plastic Waste Discovery Space

To address one of the world’s most urgent marine pollution sources, ADB launched the Pasig River Plastic Waste Discovery Space in November 2024 as part of its broader effort to build a dynamic digital twin of the Pasig River. Contributing over 6% of global plastic waste flowing into the oceans, the Pasig River represents a critical priority for data-driven environmental action.

 

After a competitive selection process, the winning solution was proposed by Arup, in partnership with RiverRecycle. Their digital twin model will offer real-time monitoring and analysis of the river system, identifying plastic hotspots, pollution patterns, and contributing activities. It will also track seasonal variations, connect to weather models, and incorporate both formal and informal waste data—providing decision-makers with a powerful tool to design and implement targeted, sustainable interventions.

 

This initiative marks a major step toward transforming the Pasig River into a model for plastic pollution mitigation—through innovation, collaboration, and local empowerment.